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Religious
Judgment On Leaders
The Bible is a living doc- ument that continues to live among the people of the world today. The words given to and spoken by the prophet Micah (3:5-12) are alive and applicable to what we see happening today. There are many preachers, prophets, and pastors who have toned down the mes- sage of God and are preach- ing a message that does not cause people to be convicted by sin but rather are com- fortable in it.
Verse 5 - This is what the LORD says: “You false prophets are lead-
ing my people astray! You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war on those who refuse to feed you. God identifies them as false prophets and they are leading His people astray. These prophets provide the people with a false sense of spiritual reality. They are prophesying considering how they will personally ben- efit. The message of God should not be watered down to lose its impact just to keep money payers in the church. The message of God should not be altered to keep the
person happy who walks up after service and gives you one-hundred dollars.
What is acceptable in the land may not be acceptable in the house of God and the preacher and prophet must not dilute the word of God to appease those who are influ- ential and powerful for the sake of personal gain and wealth.
God pronounces judg- ment and punishment upon those who practice such be- havior. Micah informs them that darkness will come upon them, the sun will set for them and their day will come to an end (vs. 6). The time will come when these prophets will not see anything pertaining to God. They will be in spiritual darkness. God will cut off any revelation and there will be no illumination of the fu- ture. God will not continue to allow His people to be misled and misguided.
Micah draws a contrast
between himself and false prophets. Micah declares of himself, "But as for me, I am filled with power with the Spirit of the LORD. I am filled with justice and strength to boldly de- clare Israel’s sin and re- bellion" (vs. 8). What set Micah and other prophets aside from false prophets is they have the Spirit of God inside of them and are filled with what is right and bold- ness. A person who is void of these three things will have difficulty proclaiming the word of God as He gives it. Micah declares that he must inform Israel of their sin and rebellion. As Spirit filled prophets, preachers, and pastors you must declare the sin of the people to them as God gives it.
Verse 11 - You rulers make decisions based on bribes; you priests teach God’s laws only for a price; you prophets
won’t prophesy unless you are paid. Yet all of you claim to depend on the LORD. “No harm can come to us,” you say, “for the LORD is here among us.” Micah exposes the corruption of the political leaders and the priest. Think about how many decisions and rules are made to ensure re-election or a favorable vote. People make decisions and choices that are contrary to the will of God but then think that God is with them. It is sad to think that God is with you, only to get in trou- ble and realize that He is not and it is because you have not lived according to His will.
As a consequence of their actions the city will endure judgment. The place of their worship will come to an end. God will not allow you to continue to prosper in His land if you continue to have actions that are not repre- sentative of Him.
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7-B