1 Kings 22:5-8 (NIV)

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the Lord."

So the king of Israel brought together the prophets--about four hundred men--and asked them, "Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?"

"Go," they answered, "for the Lord will give it into the king's hand."

But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?"

The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad."

This is an interesting story about the two kings of Israel, who were about to form an alliance to fight against a common enemy. Jehoshaphat, the good king of the southern kingdom, had good advice for all of us: first seek the Lord's counsel before making such an important decision. Ahab, the wicked king of the northern kingdom, finds four hundred so-called prophets who will tell him what he wants to hear. Jehoshaphat sees through this and asks for the real prophet of the Lord. Now we find out why Ahab did not call him the first time; this real prophet does not say good things about him!

You can find a church where the minister will tickle your ears and tell you things that will make you feel good. People will love him and the church will undoubtedly grow. But it is more important to find a church that speaks the truth from the word of God, even when it convicts and makes many uncomfortable.

Proverbs 12:19 (NIV)

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

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