Led by God, Not People
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8
The story of the man of God (young prophet) and the old prophet is found in 1 Kings 13. God called the young prophet to go from Judah to Bethel to warn the king of his idolatrous ways and foretell of the coming king, Josiah. The young prophet did this, and because of his obedience, God’s protection was covering this young prophet to the extent that when the king outstretched his hand to call for the young prophet to be arrested, his hand withered (1 Kings 13:4). God also told the young prophet in verse 9, “You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.” The young prophet obeyed God’s command when the king asked him to come back to his house. However, he disobeyed when an old prophet lied to him in verse 18. The old prophet said, “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” When the young prophet ate and drank with the old prophet, his disobedience opened the door for the enemy. Then he was killed by a lion on the road afterwards.
The young prophet trusted the old prophet’s word above God’s. Psalm 118:8 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” We serve a jealous God (Exodus 34:14) that wants to lead and protect you. God may use another person’s mouth to confirm what He has already given to you, or use an authority figure to direct you (Romans 13:3-4). However, these forms of leading should never violate what God has spoken or revealed to you. If they do, throw them out and keep focused on God’s direction. God reprimanded Adam in the garden, not because he ate the fruit but “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife” Genesis 3:17a. God does not want us seeking direction from man, but from Him! Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” A son/daughter of God is led by God, not a man, woman, apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher!
