The entire Bible is true, without error, authoritative, and clear; however, there are times—perhaps when trying to discern about a new job opportunity or other circumstances when there is seemingly more than one good option—when we may ask, “What does God want of me?”
The Bible contains some very clear directives about what we should and should not do. It is abundantly clear that we are to honor our father and mother and that we should avoid immorality. What happens when we go against God’s directions?
In 1 Kings 13, we see a prophet from Judah who had clear direction from God about what not to do, but King Jeroboam did not fully adhere to this instruction. The results were devastating.
The prophet expressed that he was, “Commanded by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat food or drink water or go back the way you came.” On two occasions he explained that admonition to those inviting him to do otherwise.
But, in a moment of temptation, he dismissed that instruction at the deceptive advice of an old prophet. The prophet from Judah returned to where he came from, ate, and drank water with them—ultimately disregarding the clear instruction of the Lord. The prophet’s disobedience led to death by lion.
The intent of this encounter is not to scare us into obedience but to remind us of the seriousness of sin, the consequences of sin, and the grace of God under which we live in Christ.
So often we spend hours deliberating things God has not made crystal clear to us while simultaneously disregarding those things that He has made known to us through His Word. It may serve us well, as Jesus’ followers, to give ourselves fully to those things that God has made clear. When we become more aware of what God commands of us and as we grow in faithfulness to those things, it is likely that our discernment will grow as well. We ought to live as graciously obedient people seeking to know and obey God’s ways, with God’s help.
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