Who Is The Real Troublemaker?
During the reign of Ahab, King of Israel, the true prophets of God were persecuted unto death. No thanks to his Phoenician wife, Jezebel, they hid in caves (1 Kings 18:4). When one of the true prophets of God named Elijah came out of hiding to confront the King, he was accused as the troublemaker in Israel (1 Kings 18:17-18). In reply Elijah said in verse 18,
“I have not made trouble for Israel. But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the LORD’s commands and have followed the Baals.”
The New Testament truth tellers were not immune to such a slanderous accusation. We read in Acts 17:1-9 after reasoning with the Jews in Thessalonica proclaiming Jesus is the Christ, some Jews rallied a mob in an attempt to bring Paul and Silas to City Court and to accuse them of causing trouble there and “all over the world.”
The examples above are no different than today. Truth tellers are still branded as troublemakers for speaking the truth. It takes great deal of courage to speak the truth in love because those who are in authority demand respect and unquestioned loyalty from their members wield power to bully them. In fact seminary president, theologian and scholar Dr. Albert Mohler said,
“In this age, telling the truth is tough business and not for the fainthearted.”
However, it is clear from the courageous response of Elijah in 1 Kings 18:18 that the real troublemakers are those who abandon the Word of the Lord to follow for their own idols.
We have a duty to tell the truth, especially the gospel truth because it is the power of God to those who are being saved (1 Cor. 1:17) and by it we are called to a ministry of compassion to snatch others from the fire (Jude 1:23).
About the Author
Little
"A simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest pope without it." - Martin Luther
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