The Greatest Deception

The greatest deception in the modern church is the matter of using God’s Word to put a badge of approval on covetousness. On the surface, this false doctrine works (see 1 Kings 21:14-16). It got Ahab what he wanted. 

Naboth the Jezreelite had told Ahab that he would not give him the inheritance of his fathers because the Lord forbade him to do so. “So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him…. Then Jezebel his wife said to him, ‘You now exercise authority over Israel! Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.’” (1 Kings 21:4-7, NKJV).

Listen to the doctrine of Jezebel: “You are number one, and you have rights. Let nothing stop you from getting what you want.” That is a false gospel in a nutshell. “Don’t sweat it. Don’t feel sad or condemned by those desires that eat you up. I’ll get it for you.” Like the deceptive methods Jezebel used, these doctrines twist and misuse scripture.

However, Ahab could not enjoy what he received because of a pesky prophet of God. God sent the prophet Elijah, saying, “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth… You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Have you murdered and also taken possession?”’ And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.”’” (1 Kings 21:17-19).

Imagine Ahab walking about his new possession, saying, “Isn’t life sweet? Ah, Jezebel. I may not agree with all her methods, but she certainly gets it done.” But dogging his every footstep was the prophet Elijah.

So it is today. God has sent prophets, crying aloud, confronting the false doctrine of materialism, making it uncomfortable for Christians to enjoy their ill-gotten playthings and acquisitions. This is the Spirit of Christ, crying out for repentance among his people!