There is a crazy moment in the Scriptures. A prophet is sent by God to give a message to Israel. The Lord commands the prophet, “You must not eat or drink anything while you are there, and do not return to Judah by the same way you came” (1 Kings 13:9). The man of God spoke the message. He refused to eat food when it was offered. He obeyed completely until an old prophet caught up to the man and gave him a second word. The old prophet said,

“Come home with me and eat some food.” “No, I cannot,” he replied. “I am not allowed to eat or drink anything here in this place.” But the old prophet answered, “I am a prophet, too, just as you are. And an angel gave me this command from the Lord: ‘Bring him home with you so he can have something to eat and drink.’” But the old man was lying to him. So, they went back together, and the man of God ate and drank at the prophet’s home.

Then while they were sitting at the table, a command from the Lord came to the old prophet. He cried out to the man of God from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: You have defied the word of the Lord and have disobeyed the command the Lord your God gave you. You came back to this place and ate and drank where he told you not to eat or drink. Because of this, your body will not be buried in the grave of your ancestors.” After the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the old prophet saddled his own donkey for him, and the man of God started off again. But as he was traveling along, a lion came out and killed him. His body lay there on the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. – 1 Kings 13:15-24

Why would the old prophet lie? I don’t know. Here is what I do know: You must listen to the first word the Lord spoke to you. What has God spoken to you? What word of direction has God given you? I don’t care how impressive or compelling somebody seems to be to you; if their word contradicts the first word from the Lord, ignore them! There will always be a “second word,” another option, and when it presents itself to you, here is the question you want to ask yourself: What is the first word the Lord spoke to me concerning that matter? Stick with the first word. 

The Bible is the infallible, inspired, authoritative Word of God.

You must familiarize yourself with the Word of the Lord, the Bible. The Bible is where we learn to hear the voice of the Lord. The Bible is where we get the truth. The Bible is how our faith grows. The Bible is the very foundation of Christianity. Hear my heart, the Bible is not a prophet’s idea. The Bible is not an apostle’s opinion on a matter. The Bible is the infallible, inspired, authoritative Word of God. 

In a day when the truth is being twisted and pushed to the side as irrelevant, you must know the truth of God’s Word. Join me in reading through the One Year Bible for the rest of this year! I pray you have a wonderful summer as you read God’s Word and encounter the Living God who loves you deeply.

And remember, when it comes to making decisions, stick with the first word God gave you on the matter. 

Your Friend and Pastor,

Kevin Berry