One of the greatest principles of Christian living comes from the somewhat obscure prophet named Micaiah. 1 Kings 22 records how Abab, the king, had surrounded himself with several “prophets” who would say exactly what he wanted them to say. This was perfect for furthering his own agenda and building up his own ego. However, it was not the work of the prophet to declare his own words as the words of God. The prophets, the people, and the king all suffered because they chose to listen to themselves rather than God.

Micaiah’s principle was this, “As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I will speak” (1 Kings 22:14). Even when the king’s messenger told Micaiah to agree with the words of all the other prophets, Micaiah stood firm on this principle. He would only say what God had said.

We live in a similar time when many only want to hear affirmations of their own ideas. Paul prophesied this attitude in 2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time is coming when they will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” Just as the false prophets of Ahab’s day led the king to destruction through lies, many are destined for destruction because they choose to believe lies rather than seeking and yielding to the truth of God.

What will we choose to hear? Shall we seek the truth of God? Let us pray with Jeremiah: “I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing” (Jeremiah 10:23-24).