Walk in the Truth

In the days of Ezekiel the prophet, there were many false prophets in Israel.  They claimed to speak for the LORD, and God's people hearkened to their falsehoods.  Ezekiel 13:1-8 reads, "And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ² "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, 'Hear the word of the LORD!' " ³ Thus says the Lord GOD: "Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! ⁴ O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts. ⁵ You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the LORD. ⁶ They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, 'Thus says the LORD!' But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. ⁷ Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, 'The LORD says,' but I have not spoken." ⁸ Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you," says the Lord GOD."

God was against the masquerading prophets of God who prophesied out of their own hearts yet claimed to speak for Him.  They followed their own spirit in their spiritual blindness envisioned futility because the LORD did not send them.  God compared them to slinking foxes in the desert, crafty creatures that are destructive pests to wildlife.  Solitary by nature, a single fox can do great damage to poultry, flocks and spread communicable diseases.  The false prophets preyed on the people, and it is ironic the people preferred it to be so.  Ahab gathered hundreds of prophets of Ba'al to himself after Elijah executed 450 prophets during the incident on Mt. Carmel.  Ahab knew Micaiah the son of Imla was a prophet of God he could inquire of, yet sought the counsel of those who would speak good concerning him.  Jeremiah 5:31 affirms, "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?"

No priest, prophet, pastor or parishioner is excluded from potentially speaking nonsense and following their own heart under the guise of honouring God.  Like in Israel in days of old, there are many with itching ears and wayward hearts who prefer lies over truth.  I do not want to ever be numbered among them!  It is only by the grace of God we receive the Holy Spirit, are given understanding of the scriptures and are connected to the Body of Christ the church.  John wrote to beloved Gaius in 3 John 1:2-4, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. ³ For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. ⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  Those who walk in truth are those who realise they need correction from God, for unless He actively guides us we will lose our way.  Who among us would walk uprightly without Him?  This reveals the wondrous wisdom of God, for it is in willingness to be corrected, to humble ourselves in repentance and in love for one another, we walk in truth.