“Then Micaiah said, ‘Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the
LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His
right and on His left. And the LORD
said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So
one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. Then a spirit came forward and stood before
the LORD, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ The LORD said to him, ‘In what way?’
So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his
prophets.’ And the LORD said, ‘You shall
persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’”
We know this lying spirit is Satan based upon what Jesus
told us “When he speaks a lie, he speaks
from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44b)
“Something that we don't often consider is that in a sense, Satan is a
servant of God. He is serving God's purposes. That is why God has allowed him
to exist. That's why God has allowed him freedom. He is acting in the sphere of
his own free will, but yet the controls are ultimately held by God. We have
made a tragic mistake in our thinking processes as we think of Satan as an
opposite of God. Satan is not an opposite of God. God is an eternal, omnipotent, self-existent
being, whereas Satan is a created being and is in the rank of angels. So if
you're looking for an opposite of Satan, you'd have to look at maybe Michael,
one of the archangels. There you would have opposites. But in no way is he an
opposite of God. No way does he rank even near God. He is existing under the
total sphere of God, and though he is opposed to God, he is not an opposite of
God in any sense of being an opposite to God Who is God, the eternal,
omnipotent God. Satan is definitely
limited in his understanding, in his abilities, in his powers. They are limited
by God. God says you can go so far, no further. Satan complained to God the
fact of his limitations in the case of Job. "You put a hedge around that
guy. I can't get to him." And he was complaining that God had put
limitations on what he could do. So Satan is only allowed liberty within a
limited spoke. God puts the limitations on him, but he does serve purposes of
God. Thus, God can use and often does use Satan or his emissaries to fulfill
God's purposes. Here is the case where God uses a lying spirit to fulfill His
purpose.” (Chuck Smith)
It is hard to call Satan a ‘servant of God’ – because that
should be our title. If Satan keeps that
title, it should be preceded with words like rebellious, prideful, murderous, hateful, and
deceptive. Maybe the more appropriate
way to look at it is that Satan must submit to God, and the things he does, God
can use toward good. Satan is limited,
and he hates it. He hates you. He is most clever to deceive you. Do not for an instant think you are more
clever. Oh, but God is gracious. He will bring you the truth and you must
decide. How many times did God send a
prophet to Ahab to give him the truth in these critical decisions? Up to now, and even now, each time.
Do you ever notice how some people will say they are seeking
God’s counsel, and when you share with them what God’s Word says on the matter,
they disregard it, or get mad and argue about it? That is the thing about deception that makes
it much easier for the deceiver. The
person that falls for the deception is already bent toward hearing the
lie. When a person already wants
something, it is fairly easy to deceive them.
Ahab believes and wants to proceed with the war, so he is easily
convinced of his future victory by the 400 prophets that all counsel him in
unison. “Unity is not always the mark of
a true church or a true ministry.” (Matthew Henry)
Jesus warned us not to be deceived at the signs of the end
of the age “And He said: ‘Take heed that
you not be deceived. For many will come
in My name, saying ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not
go after them.’” (Luke 21:8) Paul warns us that times will become more
perilous, “But evil men and impostors
will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy
3:13).
In this story, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah who loved God and
His prophets, was unimpressed by the lie of the 400 prophets. Jehoshaphat spoke up after Ahab’s prophets
made their pitch, “Is there not still a
prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of Him?” (1 Kings 22:7) God does not want His people to be
deceived. Scripture shows us how to
discern. As Paul told Timothy, “But you must continue in the things which
you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God;
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
The passage about Micaiah’s vision should give you
pause. Remember the spiritual warfare
around us and about us. Study God’s Word
daily, not for justification of your actions, but to correct your actions. Pray to seek God’s will, not your own. Ask God for discernment and wisdom, He will
give it to you. It is the blindness and
hardness of the heart that makes us subject to deception. Through the Holy Scriptures and with the help
of God’s Holy Spirit, our hearts will melt and we will discern the truth.
May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
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