1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18: A Lying Spirit

King Ahab wanted things his own way as was  identified in yesterday's post "1 Kings 20 & 21: Subtle and Blatant Evil."
He surrounded himself with "yes men," those prophets who would tell him only what he wanted to hear.  


1 Kings 22:13
Amplified Bible (AMP)

The messenger who went to call Micaiah said to him, Behold now, the prophets unanimously declare good to the king. Let your answer, I pray you, be like theirs, and say what is good.

Micaiah was hated by Ahab, because he spoke the truth as he heard it from God and that truth often stepped on Ahab's kingly toes.  Initially, Micaiah prophesied prosperity in battle, but Ahab sensed he wasn't being his normal forthright self.

1 Kings 22:15-16
Amplified Bible (AMP)

So he came to the king. King [Ahab] said, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we hold back? And he answered, Go and prosper, for the Lord will deliver it into the king’s hand.

And the king said to him, How many times must I charge you to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?

Micaiah then spoke God's plan.

1 Kings 22:19-23
Amplified Bible (AMP)

And Micaiah said, Hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right hand and on His left.

And the Lord said, Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? One said this way, another said that way.

Then there came forth a spirit [of whom I am about to tell] and stood before the Lord and said, I will entice him.

The Lord said to him, By what means? And he said, I will go forth and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets. [The Lord] said, You shall entice him and succeed also. Go forth and do it.

So the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets; and the Lord has spoken evil concerning you.

Ahab desired a lie more than the truth of God's word, so that is just what God gave him, a lying spirit in the mouths of men who were more interested in pleasing an earthly king, than an Eternal One.

These verses are sobering.

If we love the Truth, we will be saved, but if we love deceit than deception will be our ruler.

2 Thessalonians 2:10
Amplified Bible (AMP)

And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved.

But God's awesome promise to those who love the Truth is freedom!  God's Spirit is the Spirit of Truth!!!

John 8:31-32
Amplified Bible (AMP)

So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.

And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

Knowing that we cannot do anything apart from His empowerment, I ask now, Holy Spirit empower us (me) to love Truth above all else.  Cause us to know You Who is Truth and let that knowledge set us FREE!  In the great and awesome name of Jesus!  AMEN!!!