The Lying Spirit
1 Kings Chapter 22-23
https://www.blogtalkradio.com/revessie/2020/12/06/the-lying-spirit
3 years had gone by without Syria and Israel being at war with one another. And it came to pass that in the third year, Jehoshaphat, the king of JUDAH went down to visit the King of Israel. Israels king said that they had Ramoth Gilead in their hand but just hadn’t taken it over yet and asked Jehoshaphat to help. (Beware of Evil alliances) Ahab AND Jezebel worked hand in hand.
King Ahab was the son of Omri, and he reigned over Israel in Samaria for 22 years (1 Kings 16:29). Continuing the example of his father, Ahab did evil in the sight of God by worshiping Baal and “did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel worse than all the kings of Israel that were before him” (1 Kings 16:33). Ahab again and again proved he was bent on evil, evidenced by his continued refusal to listen to the prophet Elijah’s warnings as did Ahaziah in chapter 23. An angel sent Elijah to Ahaziah to tell him that he was going to die and he did.
Ahab accused Elijah of troubling Israel by the drought, but Elijah declared that it was Ahab’s own sin that caused the troubles for the nation (1 Kings 18:18). Since Ahab had declared war on God by killing His prophets (v. 13), God then brought the war to Ahab in the form of a contest (1 Kings 18:19-40) between the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal on one side, and Elijah on the other. When God miraculously verified Elijah’s status as His true prophet, Ahab should have repented, but he remained in his sinful rebellion, fueled by the wicked anger of his wife, Jezebel.
Jehoshaphat told him that whatever was his, was the king of Israel’s also. (Be careful who you are in alliance with.) The king of Israel asked if they should go to war. Everyone reasoned until he asked if there was a prophet of the Lord to ask instead.
Jehoshaphat recommended Micaiah but the king of Israel didn’t like Micaiah. He felt that Micaiah only prophesied gloom and doom to him. (vs8.) People still feel the same way today don’t they? They hate the prophets that prophesy to save their souls but love the ones who give you a word about money houses and cars. Have you ever noticed that not many come back online testifying about getting too many new houses, cars and money? They agree out of emotion and not faith. I could put a post on saying, “someone is about to get $100,000.00” and I’ll get 85 hits but when I put on a warning type of prophecy, maybe 3 people will click like. I’ve learned so strongly now not to depend on online media “likes.” That stuff will hurt your feelings. Doctors are studying it now and have come to the conclusion that every time we get a like, it boosts our dopamine in our brains. We watch out for likes because it literally gets us ‘high.’
The ‘king of Israel’s’ words here are a typical example of how Saints are hated. Micaiah was a tad too serious for him. He didn’t tickle the kings ears enough. You can be hated for no reason. As David once said, “what have I done now?” 1Sa 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
Have you ever felt that way? You get blamed for everything. There may be a reason. That reason now is because you belong to Jesus Christ. We always get blamed for upsetting the carts in people lives when they do a bang up job of it themselves.
- It’s like the sitting duck syndrome so get used to it. Patience and persistence.
- “Be encouraged”
- “Be strong.”
In Chapter 22:11 the prophets told the king to go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper for the Lord shall deliver it unto the kings hand.
I hate to use this as an example but I feel that I must here. Our election. Some, not all, Christian Prophets all over the world were, in my point of view, over-emphasizing the fact that Donald Trump WOULD win the election. Some finally slowed down and said “If it be God’s Will.” We have to be careful of not using fear tactics to get our way. Now don’t get me wrong, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings but we have to remember that we have an adversary who likes to twist things ESPECIALLY if it makes God’s people look bad. I do like the fact that he is the only President thus far who showed such admiration towards Israel and Christians, regardless of his background or personality. Notice I didn’t say Muslims or any other denomination or groups of people. He favors Israel and those grafted in. We have favor no matter where we go. And he gave us favor in the White House as well. God can use anyone that He wants, He is God. You’re listening to me, what can’t God use him?
One thing I did say months ago and some of you listening who are in our Prayer and Share Group may remember me writing this but I did say that I did not mean to diss or go against the Prophets of the Church but something is amiss with this election. I felt then, that something just wasn’t right and would go awry. I think my words were “something is not right in the water.” Little did I realize that it would be Hammer, Dominion and computers like that. I felt the devil at work but just couldn’t name names then. And everyone got really quiet on CERN now. It is allegedly a large machine that allegedly brings evil spirits from the 2nd Heaven (or whatever) to us. You can see what I said about the election in my revessie.com blog entitled, “America’s November Election may fool you” written on September 28, 2020. https://atomic-temporary-168574956.wpcomstaging.com/2020/09/28/americas-november-election-may-fool-you/
And I quote: “….A season of National Repentance. I realize that this goes against what many prophets have prophesied and I mean no harm and I am not trying to go against the grain but something just isn’t right in the water. They are talking about President Donald Trumps taxes now. (But it was okay for another to foul the Oval Office with his assistant and a cigar.)”
God says they honor Him with their speech and not their hearts.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Jer 29:23 Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD. sa 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mar 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Rom 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Now I want to show you something. Verse s 15-18 The prophet tells him what he sees in a vision and the king gets angry with him and says to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he would be negative to me?” Yet Micaiah continued by telling him of a heavenly vision that he had of the Lord in Heaven, sitting on His Throne with angelic beings on His right and left. (Order not chaos, notice they aren’t in front of Him.) And then, a spirit approached him saying, “I will go forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.” This blows my mind! These are things that can go on in heaven that you know not of. We cannot put God into a box! You’d be surprised what He does or allows to happen to psyche out our enemies. Verse 23 says that the Lord put a ‘lying spirit’ in the mouth of all of the prophets and STILL the Lord spoke evil concerning the king.
Now Zedekiah smacked Micaiah on the cheek and asked which way the spirit of the Lord went so that he could speak to the spirit. Really? Sooo, he’s going to tell God what to do now? Or was he second-guessing the prophets power? Like many do today, they second guess the ones who are really called by God but the fake ones get houses, land, cars, money, tithes, gifts, and they want for nothing. Years ago, I went to an R. W. Schambach tent revival and Ted Shuttlesworth was one of his guest speakers. It was in West Virginia. Ted was telling us of how his car overheated, broke down, his clothes were not freshly ironed and he didn’t have enough money for gas nor to stay in a nice hotel BUT! he made it to the meeting. And let me tell you that man preached. An older gentleman friend of mine was healed of high blood pressure that night. He went up for prayer and heard a snap! in his head and fell out on the floor. When R.W. picked him back up (his helpers that is,) he felt better, he knew that he had been healed. He stopped experiencing the symptoms of high blood pressure so he stopped taking his pills. When he went to the doctors months later, the doctor told him that his stats read great. He told the doctor that he was healed by God of high blood pressure. The doctor told him to be careful because that was dangerous to get off of his pills. The next thing you know, my friend had high blood pressure again and was back on the pills. He believed man over God. God used R.W. Schambach and gas-less, hotel less Ted Shuttlesworth to heal an old man of high blood pressure.
Folks the church today is getting more and more powerless and more fleshly day by day. We lip our love to God but will not serve Him in greater ways. Our minds are too full of impertinent information, that we have a hard time voicing our love for Jesus either privately or publicly. I’ve had prayer groups for years and there is always that proverbial few people who don’t mind typing or holding conversations online. All the others just sit back and watch each other, afraid to say anything that may jeopardize their cool, calm and collected religious demeanor. It happened in every group. They’re afraid they may “look silly” to the public or to their old friends who may be in the group. God is telling us today to speak up and witness for Him. Have no fear. Amen?
We have to be careful not to be like the prophe-liars did and only speak up to please someone. They remained silent until the king needed pacified. We are to “Speak it in season and out of season.” That’s why I value Carla Gray and made her a moderator. She’s not afraid of what people think or say. She posts nicely and even sometimes funny posts. She’s not in any clique or a club. I enjoy her posts and they lighten my day. She never gets sick and always has some kind of testimony that glorifies the Father somehow.
Well, now we have the lying spirit entering the south of all of the prophets. This is something that we have
to watch out for today. Be careful who you get your Word from. Don’t judge them by their clothes, Stacey Adams shoes, attache’ case, car, make up or eyelashes. After all, it’s about Jesus, not them.
So, here we have the evil king of Israel changing clothes with Jehoshaphat as not to be found by the enemy. But, Syria decided that they would not fight anyone except the king of Israel himself. They are chasing Jehoshaphat who is now dressed as the evil king. (Bad decision)Jehoshaphat begins to cry out that he is not who they are looking for and they turned around. They found the real king and shot an arrow at him as he rode in a chariot and fatally wounded him between the sections of his armor, (how unusual) and he bled out and died. Wow. His evil plan backfired on him. They always do. Evil people always want to put on robes of righteousness without Jesus. They are the do-it-yourselfers, seeing themselves as wise in their own eyes. To trade cloaks with someone like that is deceptive. You know good and well that the enemy will kill the one with your clothes on. Back then, militarily speaking it was an honor to bring back the kings body or head from a battle. That’s why he used Jehoshaphat and changed clothes. Faint-hearted, scardy-cat. He lost his life being hard-headed. Just as many do today. You talk to your loved ones about drugs and alcohol and questionable friends and they could care less until they run into that one incident they can’t get away from. Sort of like we do God the Father.
Ahab the king died. They washed his chariot in the pool of Samaria and the dogs licked up his blood just as they had done for another hard-headed and evil ruler, Jezebel. Jehoshaphat took his place so wearing the kings garment really fit him to the “t” anyway. That could have been a spiritual indication of what would come next in his life. Take note of who tries to switch garments with you. Especially if they are of some type of high order with a mind of their own that brings backlash on every decision that they make. They’ll try to pin it all on you so that you will have to pay for it so-to-speak.
(Taken from internet bible study gotquestions.org:) God chose to use a lying spirit because Ahab rejected God’s rebukes and warnings all through his life and the cup of God’s wrath was full. Since God is sovereign over all of creation, He is not restricted in what or whom He can use to accomplish His holy purposes. All of creation is under His authority, and He chooses to use people and spirits, both good and evil, to bring His divine plans to pass and bring glory to Himself. “He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35). In the case of Ahab, God chose to using a lying spirit to accomplish His perfect and righteous plan (Psalm 18:30). The lying spirit will receive its punishment just as Ahab did, and those who repent of their sins will receive forgiveness just like Ahab could have. The real question is, “Will I respond to God’s warnings with faith and obedience, or will I reject His counsel and be rejected by Him?”
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