READ: 1 Kings 13:1-26
“…It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD…“: – 1 Kings 13:26
In this story in 1 Kings, chapter 13, the Lord specifically told the prophet what to do. “And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD…” (Vs1-2).
By obeying the voice of God this man of God became a worker of signs and wonders. He suddenly had a thriving ministry. “And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored him again, and became as it was before” (Vs 6). Then here comes an old and backslidden man of God. Did you know that men of God could also backslide? Unfortunately, this younger prophet listened to another “voice”. “He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water” (Vs 18-19).
At a certain level of ministry, you may become confused by the different voices that are trying to guide you. “And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him” (Vs 26).
Make sure that you stick with the Word of God.