BEWARE OF THE OLD PROPHET’S VOICE—DON’T LET ANOTHER MAN’S REVELATION CANCEL YOUR OBEDIENCE

🕊️ MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL
By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida



THE MESSAGE

A man of God came from Judah with a clear instruction from God. He confronted the altar at Bethel, delivered God’s message, and witnessed remarkable signs. When the king offered him hospitality and a reward, he refused.

He survived the king’s invitation—but surrendered to a prophet’s explanation.

An old prophet found him and said:

“I am a prophet also as thou art…” Then he claimed that an angel had instructed him to bring the man of God home to eat and drink.

But the Bible adds a sentence that exposes everything: “But he lied unto him” (1 Kings 13:18).

The old prophet had a title, experience, and a convincing spiritual story. What he did not have was God’s permission to overturn God’s instruction.

Another person’s claimed encounter must never become your excuse for abandoning what God has clearly commanded you.

WHEN EXPERIENCE BECOMES A PRESSURE

There are voices that say:

“I was in ministry before you were born.”

“I have seen greater revelations than this.”

“You are too young to understand how God works.”

Experience deserves respect, but experience does not make anyone incapable of error. A long ministry record is not a licence to edit God’s word.

Grey hair deserves honour; it does not turn every statement into Scripture.

Some people will help you understand your assignment. Others will persuade you to abandon it—and still call the conversation “fatherly counsel.”

The danger is not old age. The danger is spiritual influence that demands obedience while contradicting God.

THE VOICE YOU RESPECT CAN BECOME THE VOICE YOU FAIL TO TEST

The man of God recognised the danger in a king’s offer, but lowered his guard before a fellow prophet.

We often question the outsider and swallow everything from the insider.

Yet a ministerial title is not a guarantee of truth. “An angel told me” is a claim to examine, not a command to obey automatically.

Respect the messenger, but test the message.

Your personal encounter does not make you beyond correction. Every claimed revelation—including your own—must agree with Scripture. However, another person’s status cannot make a contradictory message true.

Godly counsel strengthens obedience; manipulative counsel makes disobedience sound spiritual.

A PAINFUL WARNING

While they were eating, God’s word came through the same old prophet who had deceived him, announcing judgment upon his disobedience.

What a sobering scene: the voice that persuaded him to disobey became the voice that announced the consequence.

Do not assume that someone’s ability to speak a true word means every word they speak is true.

The chapter records the man of God’s death and the old prophet’s mourning. But the tears of the person who misled him could not reverse the tragedy.

Do not trade your obedience for someone else’s approval.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Before accepting spiritual counsel, ask:

- Does this agree with Scripture?
- Does it strengthen obedience or excuse compromise?
- Am I persuaded by truth—or intimidated by a title?

Be teachable, humble, and accountable. But never become so eager to honour a servant of God that you disobey the God whom you both claim to serve.