17/02/2021
đ RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
đ http://www.rhapsodyofrealities.org
đď¸ WEDNESDAY 17 FEBRUARY, 2021
âď¸ EXAMINE WHAT YOU HEAR
đ¤ Pastor Chris
My dear friends, donât believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world (1 John 4:1 MSG).
Thereâre those who quote Romans 13:1 and assume they should do whatever theyâre told to do, as long as the one giving such instructions is a person of authority. Theyâd say, âHeâs a renowned leader; therefore, he must be speaking the truthâ; but thatâs not how it works.
First, letâs review that scripture properly; it says, âLet every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of Godâ (Romans 13:1). Our opening verse tells us to test the spirits. Thatâs why you donât just run with, or do whatever youâre told by just anybody; examine where that authority is coming from. It could be from Satan. So, you have to be careful.
God can choose a leader, and the leader can go rogue against God. The Scripture is replete with examples of those that went against God, even though they were chosen of God. Letâs take the story of King Saul as a case study. In 1 Samuel 15, Samuel the prophet gave very definite instructions to King Saul. He was to go to war against Amalek and destroy everything connected to them, with no exceptions!
Saul went out as instructed, and had the victory. He utterly destroyed all that was despised and worthless, but spared what he deemed choice and valuable. Not only did he spare Agag, the king, he also spared the best of the sheep and oxen, and all that was good. What was Godâs response?
He said to Samuel the prophet, âI regret making Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not performed My commandsâŚâ (1 Samuel 15:11 AMPC). This shows that not every leader listens to God or wants to do whatâs right.
Therefore subject all things to the light of Godâs Word. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, âProve all things; hold fast that which is good.â Just because you felt good about what someone of authority told you doesnât mean it was from God. Always remember that Godâs Word is the supreme authority by which we judge all things.
Also, to the leaders, itâs important you listen to God. Find out what He wants, and do His will. Refuse to compromise. Examine your policies to be sure theyâre good for God and for people.
đŁď¸ PRAYER
Dear Father, I consciously weigh every instruction against the truth of the Word, irrespective of who gives it. I refuse to go contrary to your Word, which gives life, light, direction and purpose to me. My steps are ordered by you, through the Word and your Spirit, in Jesusâ Name. Amen.
đ FURTHER STUDY:
Matthew 7:15-16; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
đ¸ 1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Mark 2:23-3:1-12 & Leviticus 11-12
đ¸đ¸ 2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 15:10-20 & Genesis 48
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