Too Many Voices

Based on 1 Kings 21-22, Luke 23:26-56

"And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD." 1 Kings 21:20

Elijah the prophet went to king Ahab to prophesy his death. This seems like a harsh thing to do, but in reality, king Ahab died in his soul already, before Elijah came to speak of his physical death. King Ahab sold himself to the lies of his pride & the world. He spent so much time working against God, and when we work against God, we are ultimately working against ourselves. God holds our best! This world can't create a better version!

"But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up." 1 Kings 21:25

Too many enticing voices. Too many influences. Too many paths for us to take...but how do we find the one God wants for us? Why did Ahab lose himself & give into the negative influences around him? He lost his way because he lost connection with God!

No matter who is speaking into our lives, we need to be sure it lines up with God's Word. We need to keep calling on the Name of Jesus! We need to be bold enough to stand up for what's right in a world that no longer emphasizes the fine line between right & wrong...especially for the sake of our children!

"And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak." 1 Kings 22:13‭-‬14

We need to speak what The Lord wants us to speak, as Micaiah did! To some, it may not be exactly what they want to hear at the moment...even though it's the Good News! It may not be the popular opinion...but it's the Truth!

"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39‭-‬43

Jesus was even planted in the gap of 2 opinions on either side of Him on the cross! He was suffering immensely, but even used that suffering as a ministry opportunity! Jesus never stopped! The Truth is always Truth! You may be stuck in the middle of some fights. You may see people sitting on the fence. There are tons of voices & opinions which compete to sway our attention, and win our affection...so it's very important that we know where we stand in all of this! Do we simply want to choose which side of the mess to stand on, or do we want to let Jesus work in us to start cleaning things up?

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10.

The most important, true & pure words we can let speak into our lives are The Words found in Scripture! God's Word! Let's let Him shape us, not the lies of the world & negative influences. Listen to His Word. Seek Him in some personal prayer time. Tune out the other voices for a little while. Let your heart get closer to Jesus & find PEACE! Find BOLDNESS! Share the TRUTH!

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38