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Shalom!<\/strong> May the blessed name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, be glorified forever.<\/p>\n Welcome to this Bible study. Let us open our hearts to the living Word of God, which brings light, discernment, and truth to His people in these last days.<\/p>\n In 1 Kings 13<\/strong>, we read a sobering story of a true prophet sent by God to rebuke King Jeroboam of Israel. Jeroboam had led Israel into idolatry by setting up golden calves and false altars (1 Kings 12:28\u201333). God, in His mercy, sent a prophet from Judah with a divine message of judgment.<\/p>\n After delivering the prophecy, the man of God was commanded by the Lord not to eat or drink, nor return the way he came. His obedience was to be total.<\/p>\n 1 Kings 13:9 (NKJV)<\/strong> But as the man of God departed, an old prophet from Bethel<\/strong> intercepted him and lied<\/strong>, claiming that an angel had spoken to him and instructed him to bring the man back to his house for food and water.<\/p>\n 1 Kings 13:18 (ESV)<\/strong> Tragically, the man of God disobeyed God\u2019s explicit command. While still in the old prophet\u2019s home, the Word of the Lord came (this time genuinely), and the disobedient prophet was rebuked for violating God’s instruction.<\/p>\n Soon after, he was killed by a lion as a divine judgment (1 Kings 13:24), and his body was left on the road\u2014neither buried among his ancestors nor honored. This shows how partial obedience<\/strong> is still disobedience<\/strong>, and disobedience to God\u2019s clear word leads to judgment\u2014even for those who were once faithful.<\/p>\n This story isn’t just history\u2014it is prophetic warning<\/strong> for believers today. We are in the last days<\/strong> (2 Timothy 3:1), and many sincere Christians are being misled<\/strong> by so-called prophets and preachers who speak in the name of the Lord<\/strong> yet contradict His Word.<\/p>\n These modern false prophets may:<\/p>\n Perform miracles (Matthew 7:22),<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Prophesy accurately (Matthew 24:24),<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Use the name of Jesus powerfully\u2014yet still be lawless and unapproved<\/strong> by God.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Matthew 7:21\u201323 (NIV):<\/strong> Just as the old prophet still heard from God, today we see false teachers who preach, prophesy, and even work miracles\u2014yet live in sin, compromise, and deception. This shows us that spiritual gifts do not equate to godly character or divine approval<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Romans 11:29 (ESV):<\/strong> God may still use people for a purpose, but that does not mean He approves of their behavior.<\/p>\n Jesus made it clear: following Him means self-denial and holiness.<\/p>\n Luke 9:23 (NKJV):<\/strong> Hebrews 12:14 (ESV):<\/strong> So when anyone\u2014whether a prophet, pastor, or preacher\u2014tells you that holiness doesn\u2019t matter, or says things like:<\/p>\n \u201cGod doesn\u2019t care how you dress.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no need to repent of your lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n \u201cLiving with someone you’re not married to is not sin.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n \u201cWorldliness is acceptable in the church…\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Beware!<\/strong> That person is leading you back to “Bethel”\u2014to disobedience\u2014just like the lying prophet.<\/p>\n We are not called to follow signs and wonders, but to test all things by the Word of God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Isaiah 8:20 (NKJV):<\/strong> Even if a prophet performs miraculous signs but teaches anything that contradicts the Word of God, we are commanded to reject them.<\/p>\n Deuteronomy 13:1\u20133 (NIV):<\/strong> Signs can deceive. Truth is always consistent with the written Word of God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Some preachers say today:<\/p>\n \u201cWearing tight clothes or revealing outfits is not a sin\u2014it\u2019s your heart that matters.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n But Scripture says otherwise:<\/p>\n 1 Timothy 2:9\u201310 (NIV):<\/strong> If anyone tells you drunkenness or sexual sin is acceptable, reject that lie:<\/p>\n Ephesians 5:17\u201318 (ESV):<\/strong> If anyone tells you that Christ\u2019s return is distant or irrelevant, remember:<\/p>\n Matthew 24:44 (NIV):<\/strong> Believers are commanded to test all spirits<\/strong> and hold fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21).<\/p>\n 1 John 4:1 (ESV):<\/strong> Let God\u2019s Word\u2014not experiences, emotions, or miracles\u2014be your compass. The prophet in 1 Kings 13 began in obedience but ended in destruction because he failed to hold fast to God\u2019s Word\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In these last days, deception is increasing. Do not follow those who twist Scripture<\/strong> or justify sin<\/strong>, even if they appear spiritual or perform miracles. God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth<\/strong> (John 4:24)\u2014with obedience, purity, and reverence.<\/p>\n Let us return to the simplicity of the gospel, the authority of Scripture, and the fear of the Lord.<\/p>\n Psalm 119:105 (ESV):<\/strong> Let God’s Word be your foundation, your standard, and your protection.<\/p>\n May the Lord bless you and keep you in His truth. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\n1. The Story of a Deceived Prophet: A Cautionary Tale<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cFor so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, \u2018You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cAnd he said to him, \u2018I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.\u2019 But he lied to him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n2. A Lesson for the Last Days<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cNot everyone who says to me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven… Many will say to me on that day, \u2018Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name…?\u2019 Then I will tell them plainly, \u2018I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cFor the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n3. True Discipleship Requires Obedience<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cIf anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cStrive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\n4. Scripture Is the Final Authority<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cTo the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cIf a prophet… appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, \u2018Let us follow other gods\u2019… you must not listen to the words of that prophet…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n5. Modesty, Holiness, and Repentance Still Matter<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cI also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety… with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cTherefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cSo you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n6. Final Encouragement: Test All Things<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cBeloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cYour word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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