Question: The old prophet in the bible decieved the young prophet and died. from a bible point of view could discerning of spirit helped the young prophet to know that the old prophet was lying? Also what can we learn from that story?
The story of the old prophet who tricked the young prophet is found in 1 Kings 13:11-25. And for anyone who is not familiar with the story, read the quick summary below, before we answer the question.
Setting: There was an old prophet residing in Bethel. His sons informed him about the miraculous works performed by a man of God that day in Bethel, including the words he had spoken to the king.
Deception: The old prophet decided to seek out the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked if he was the man of God from Judah. The man of God confirmed his identity.
Invitation: The old prophet invited the man of God to come home with him and share a meal. However, the man of God declined, citing a divine command that forbade him from eating or drinking in that place.
False Claim: The old prophet claimed that an angel had instructed him to bring the man of God back to his house to eat and drink. But the old prophet lied.
Consequences: The man of God went back with the old prophet, ate bread, and drank water. However, as they sat at the table, the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back. The Lord rebuked the man of God for disobeying His command. As a consequence, the man of God would not be buried in the sepulchre of his fathers.
Tragic End: On his way back, a lion attacked and killed the man of God. His body lay on the road, and the lion stood beside it. Passersby witnessed this and reported it to the city where the old prophet lived.
Conclusion: This narrative shows the danger of deception, and the consequences of disregarding God’s commands.
Answer to Question:
The young prophet was initially given a direct command by God not to eat or drink anything while on his mission. However, the old prophet lied to him, claiming that an angel had instructed him to invite the young prophet to his house for a meal.
While the text doesn’t explicitly mention the “discerning of spirits” in this specific incident, we can draw some insights from the story about the importance of godly discernment:
1. Importance of Obedience to God’s Direct Commands:
- The young prophet had a clear command from God (not an angel), and his obedience to that command was crucial. Even when faced with seemingly persuasive arguments or contrary messages, obeying God’s explicit instructions is essential. God’s command (His word) is far superior to any command from an angel or any other spirit. His words are absolute authority.
2. Discernment in Testing Messages:
- The young prophet should have exercised discernment when the old prophet claimed to have received a conflicting message from an angel. Discernment involves the ability to judge the true nature of a situation or message, and it could have helped the young prophet in this case.
3. Consequences of Failure to Discern:
- The young prophet’s failure to discern the falsehood led to severe consequences. He was later killed by a lion on his way home, fulfilling the word of the Lord spoken through the old prophet.
4. Learning to Trust God’s Word Above All:
- Discerning spirits involves recognizing the spiritual source and spiritual nature of messages or actions. In this case, the young prophet needed to discern whether the old prophet’s message aligned with God’s character and previous commands. Trusting God’s word above all other voices is a crucial lesson.
5. The Role of Repentance:
- After the young prophet’s death, the old prophet acknowledged his wrongdoing and buried the young prophet, expressing remorse. Repentance is a vital aspect of our relationship with God, and recognizing our mistakes is essential for growth.
While the specific gift of “discerning of spirits” might not be explicitly mentioned in this story, the principles of discernment, obedience, and the consequences of failure to discern are evident. The story serves the importance of discerning God’s voice amid conflicting messages and remaining obedient to His commands (His written word).
God bless you.
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name“
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