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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Speaking Truth to the King
Posted on May 1, 2009
Filed Under The State |
There is a lot of humor in the Scripture…at least I see it that way.
One place is in 1 Kings 22 when Ahab, king of Israel, wants to go to war, but doesn’t feel he has enough army men to succeed. So, he asks Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to join him. Jehoshaphat rightly wants to first inquire of the Lord. Ahab quickly agrees, snaps his fingers and his prophets march in with their “Go Ahab” signs. Jehoshaphat recognizes that these are merely “yes” men and asks if there is not a prophet of the Lord around. Ahab responds by saying that there was one, Micaiah, but he hated him because he never said anything good about the king…old Ahab.
Nevertheless, Micaiah is called in. But Micaiah isn’t a “yes” man for the king and he declares that Ahab would die in the battle and dogs would lick up his blood.
Ahab sneers, “See, I told you he never says anything good about me!”
But what happens next is interesting.
Micaiah, who had sounded a warning to the king, is slapped on the face by one of the “yes” prophets for speaking a contrary word about the king’s plans. The king then orders Micaiah to be arrested, put in prison, and fed bread and water until the king returned from battle…which he never did because Ahab died just as Micaiah had prophesied.
Micaiah is not an anomaly in the line of God’s people. Yes, there are those today who say that we are not to speak out against the king or his plans. But Moses did. And Elijah. So, too, Elisha and Daniel and Jeremiah…down to John the Baptist, who lost his head because he stood before the king and said “you do wrong!” Jesus declared there was no man born greater than John.
Don’t let anyone tell you that it is wrong to speak out, nor be afraid to do so.
For if we do not, who will?
There will always be a host of “yes” men that will cry out “Go Ahab!” even when that pathway leads to destruction. We, however, are called, not to flatter and appease, but to warn…whether that is to the king, or to the citizens who hold the power of a king, or to leaders in the church, or business owners, or husbands or wives…or neighbors or friends.
Just make sure it is always done with grace…attractively winsome! 
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…” Matthew 5:6
P.S. My grandson’s name is Micaiah. I pray he will grow up to be one who does not fear to speak the truth… graciously.
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31 Responses to “Speaking Truth to the King”
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History repeats itself over and over. I have been employed at more than one level of government. This provided me with the opportunity to see government in action on more than one level, both publically and privately.
There are those in public office who are of high integrity. I was able to serve under a few of them. They deserve our respect.
There are also those in public office who, just like Ahab, surround themselves with “yes” people. I’ve seen public officials who are themselves “yes” people. It seems that, in certain political circles, being a “yes” person to the “right” people can go a long way in getting into and staying in public office. These are the people who cater to those who hear what they want to hear from people saying what they want them to say. I have seen one elected official get himself in “hot water” for being an honest, responsible person instead of going along with the crowd. This is the present condition of the State. Human nature didn’t change much from the days of Ahab to this present time.
Del,
I am a youth pastor in the very protected south. I say very protected because I know that progressive liberalism does not run rampant here. I can find many Christian Churches in our area that truly are preaching the Word. We are here in south Texas sheltered… I guess I have always known this but not really been exposed to it, that is until I recently visited L.A.. I am not speaking ill of the many many believers there or trying to imply that they are not standing up for Truth. I am saying that the difference in that place and my place, as far as societies go, is that place (L.A.)has less spiritual filters. By that I mean if a flower shop put on their sign “Gay Nuptial? send his and his flowers” the people here would be outraged. The flower shop would go out of business and the people would probably have to leave town. It is commonplace in California. I just didn’t see the effects of the people of God standing up against the darkness in society and civil government. Why do we not hear more about our government being based on Godly principles? It is because the state believes that it is the giver or rights, not God. And that is not the truth…
This post brings up an interesting question that I’ve had since completing the Truth Project. You talk about not blurring the spheres, but to me it almost seems that in America the spheres of Community and State are necessarily blurred. Since we are a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people”, it seems to me that speaking out against injustice in the government can only go so far. It’s easy to identify a problem and cry out against the civil magistrate, but since “we the people” have chosen the magistrate, and have the power to change the magistrate, it seems that our best chance at political reform and national revival lies in community involvement.
Where do you draw the line between political leadership and the community? We can protest things our leaders are doing, but until and unless we are able to change the hearts and minds of the people (who have the real power), I don’t see protests and tea parties doing much good. It seems to me that the only way we’ll see national revival and political reform is for the Church to start being the Church, and showing people that God’s way really IS better. They aren’t going to believe it just because we say it.
Our founders reached a point at which they said “enough” and rebelled, but their revolution was against a government in which they had no say. We do have a voice, but as you say, we have failed to shine the light. I believe that our “speaking out” must be more than just words. We must take responsibility for our own role as salt and light, and lead the way through action: Radically loving our neighbors.
For a long time, the Christian Worldview has been being pushed aside in America, a country that was founded on Christian principles. America has pushed the “right to pray” out of schools, taken most things having to do with God out of government, murdered thousands upon thousands of innocent children, instituted laws to protect gays and other people living in sin…yet, we still have on our money, the motto: “In God we trust.” No, the United States of America, does not trust in God…but rather trust in the government.
I believe it’s time to start taking a stand on God’s word about these atrocities.
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20 (NASB)
They said this after the government of their day commanded them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. I will make my stand, but only in His strength. As God’s people, we need to stand for what’s right. We need to put on the full armor of God (found in Ephesians, chapter 6) and stand firm.
I will not be moved in this. God is Judge of all…and He will judge all, eventually. The question remains: Will we be prepared to meet our God? I pray that we are…I pray that we help prepare those that aren’t.
Love, from your brother in Christ…Daniel.
I enjoyed reading the thoughtful comments posted here. Many blogs have comments that are anything but thoughtful. Thanks to those posting.
I have not an eloquent tounge and I cannot speak the words that express what gods smallest fleeting thought might be about his peoples trust in themselves as masters of their universe. how foolish we must appear. How can we deny his glory when everything we see reflects it, even our own image in the mirror. How did this happen? Our sinful nature is incredibly powerful. I fear it. I pray that god will increase our wisdom and that we can reach this world before its too late.
What about speaking the truth to the Church? Dr John Wycliffe believed that if the church was not being the Church, the state had the obligation to step in and suspend their state privileges. This could not be for minor points of doctrine but essentials of the faith. Who would determine the essentials of the faith? The reformers of the past had no state office of the title, “Church Reformation Minister.” They were simply those connected with the people with whom the Church was not. This was not a very pleasant experience but a cleansing one. The difficulty comes when the missionary, while in touch with those which the Church is not yet, is dependent on support from a Church in need of reform.
I have noticed in my years that people usually live up to their name. We did not know the meaning of my daughter’s name until she was 28. I did some online research and found out that it meant “sensible.” She has always and still is one of the most sensible people you will ever meet. I feel sure your grandson will live up to his name, especially if he is often reminded and blessed for who he is becoming through Christ Jesus.
BTW, I enjoyed your post. I came upon it by accident.
Dear Josh,
On Dr. Del’s blog, you needn’t ever worry about style or the use of fancy words…
The Truth is always eloquent by its very nature…
Yours, In Christ,
Dan…
Just found your site Dr. Tackett. We have been so blessed by The Truth Project. I am looking forward to seeing what you have to share here. Your insights in the videos seem prophetic. We listen in awe that these videos weren’t made this year or even last year.
Our government is now going to such an extreme of calling evil good that even pedophiles will be covered by the new hate crimes (thought crimes) legislation.
Lord, please have mercy on our nation.
One of the biggest themes that sticks out from stories like this is: Who do you serve? If we serve God, and God is Truth, then it is by our own admission that the TRUTH should flow from our lips regardless of the station/position in front of us. The example given here is the servant must tell the big kahuna he’s going to die. Isn’t that what the gospel tells us to tell others? If you don’t have Jesus, you’re no better than a tombstone. You’re dead. Sounds horrible, blunt, noncaring, but nonetheless, it’s a true statement.
All those who do not have God’s holy spirit living within them, given by the shed blood and resurrection of Jesus our LORD, will die an eternal death and be forever separate from everything that is God. That’s a very scary message to deliver if you ask me, and yet, Jesus charges us with this task the very moment we receive Him. WOW!
Dr Tackett mentions several great men in addition to Micaiah (Moses, John the Baptist, Jeremiah, Daniel), and states they all stood in the face of godlessness and delivered the truth claims of God. Have you ever thought about the people in the Bible who didn’t? Look at Esau, who sold his blessing to his brother for a bowl of stew. How about Judas who sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver? And Lot’s wife, who couldn’t stop from looking back at the “world” even after being warned!
I believe that what made Moses, Daniel or John the Baptist (and women…lots of female examples too) great and godly was they knew in their hearts God was going to hold them accountable in the end. God does not want His people to sell out for a bowl of stew or to keep looking at what the “world” has to offer. God wants His people to be sold out for Him..PERIOD. That means we must stand out not only in words, but also in our actions. Remember what Joshua said AFTER entering into the promised land: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
I tell folks all the time that sharing the gospel (the TRUTH) is much easier when you live it. People remember the action twice as much as hearing the “lip service.”
Thanks for reading. God bless!
Saints part of my problem is the mix of serving God in this life in post Christian America with the constitution not being obeyed and trying to fit the WORD such as what Paul wrote to ’stay under Kings and authorities’. When Paul wrote that he said it to Christians living in corrupt Rome. Yet we do not live in Rome, we live under a Constitution that has a Declaration that says ‘it is our DUTY to throw off that governemnt that would enslave us. Now what?
As Christians we need to adhere to Ephesians 5:11-16 which states:
“11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
“ Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
Walk in Wisdom
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
We are to expose the evil in government…be a light to shine on corrupt behavior which then allows us to be salt which preserves a nation.
Del-
You did it again! Spoke to my heart right where I needed to hear it! Thanks for your winsomeness and encouragement! May the Lord continue to pour in and through you and may your family walk in His strength!
Very good advice for Christians regarding our Christian duty to speak out against the evildoers in leadership. How I wish that our pastors had urged us to be involved in our own government decades ago…! Instead, many of us were taught to distrust, disdain, and refrain from political action.
We squawked when prayer was removed from our government schools, but kept silent for fear of losing our “tax exemption”, all the while forgetting that the Church(es) were already exempt by the Constitution.
May the mistakes of earlier generations not silence our youth of today.
1Pe 4:17-19 NASB For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (18) AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? (19) Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Pray for a reformation of Biblical Authority - God’s TRUE Truth - in His Body.
Jam 1:22 NASB But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
Since our governors derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, we Christian governed had best be Godly light bearers to the rest, speaking the truth in love, in action and in word. Maranatha
I have just read an article in The Australian which gives evidence England is the most antichristian State in the Western Nations. Like King Ahab, Tony Blair did not listen, so England has changed.
Dr. Tackett,
Your piece was simply AWESOME!
I am presently in Pakistan where I am helping to train senior officers of their national police and armed forces military police in the tenets of
contemporary police management.
Wherever the topic of Community Policing comes up, I manage to weave Jesus’ notion of servant leadership into my lecture and get many questions during the breaks!
Best regards/Brad
Thank you for all your comments. They warmed my heart. We must continue to stand firm in our faith and keep leading others in the right way.
I confess. I lived in the fallen world captive to saying ‘yes’, even when I felt/knew ‘no’ was right. I tried to avoid punishment. When God called me out of the world He revealed Himself as the One and Only True and Living God. I realized He is God, not me. His love changes my heart and renews my mind. He gives me Faith to believe and strength to depend on Him.
The ‘Truth’ of God’s Worldview in The Truth Project helps me see where He wants me, with my brothers and sisters in Christ, to lay down my life, carry my cross and deliver His Truth.
Now I confess, I am here, a disciple of Christ, to be His witness of His Creation, my rebellion, His Plan of Salvation, and my redemption. The definition of witness is martyr from the Greek word, martus. To Live is Christ, to die is gain.
I pray His Spirit in us continues to unite us in Him as He prepares us each to witness, Jesus is LORD.
The problem is we, the people. Just as the LORD addressed the people, through Samuel, when they asked for a king:
“If you will fear the LORD and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God. 1Sam 12:14
“Don’t be afraid to speak out”………..
The days have passed for letters, faxes, e mails, phone calls to representatives. They know that their power is derived from within the Beltway. Both parties have fallen pray to the Washington belief that the public is too stupid to govern themselves. Which actually may be the case for a strong majority.
Speaking out will require “outside the box” thinking and action. Civil disobedience was required to break the bonds of rampant racism. And reading “Letters from the Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr. revealed a passionate man for both God and justice. And his methods were right.
I have been told that we need to “just pray” and we shouldn’t do anything to ruin our witness. I have been told that the last days are soon upon us so we shouldn’t worry. Just pray.
Consider this argument.
I wait on the front lawn with my family. I’m waiting on the emminent return of the Lord. I have studied scripture and am convinved it’s today. And a multitude of the Brethren are doing the same. A car screeches around the corner just as my young daughter has started walking across the street. Will I just watch? Or will I run to rescue her? The answer is obvious.
I am firmly Pre-Trib. I’m 55 and believe I’ll see the day. But many Christians for many, many years have believe the same. (Doctrine of Emminency) But if the Lord tarries for even one generation, we will be guilty of handing our children a horrible and wretched world and will be accountable for our cowardice.
When will we act for the sake of our children?
Just wanted to add a little to what Del said. His words reminded me of an interview on radio where the guy approached a well known, outspoken atheist. He didn’t mince words as he gave his testimony but he intermingled it with grace and respect to the fact that the atheist did not believe. Later the atheist said he would not have ordinarily accepted any material anyone would have given him, but because the Christian approached him so gently and sincerely, he was moved to accept the material. May God see to it that the seeds planted sprout and come to full bloom and may we imitate that kind of confrontation.
Del,
I am reading a little about Sir Thomas More who had the nerve to stand up to King Henry VIII and told him it wasn’t right to divorce his wife. He died for his stance. More’s advice to his successor, Oliver Cromwell, was to advise the king on what he ought to do, not on what he could do, because he knew that once a king knew his own power he would become tyranical.
We do have an obligation to stand up for what is right. When we do, we might be opposed, NOT BECAUSE WE’VE DONE ANYTHING WRONG, but because we’re in the way, keeping someone from something they want.
I just need to remember that the Lord knows and sees what goes on and cares about what happens to us when we do stand up. He’ll give us the power to stand and reward us when we do.
Wow! Amazing notes for an amazing article. Yes,
pray, discover what Gods’ use for each of us is.
Is it to become an “activist”, it works, according
to past senators and congressmen. They usually
just see the same old persons, testifying before
committees. They sit up and notice when it’s a new group of people. For others of us, it’s as I
have recently discovered through Gods’ amazing
ability to reveal. Battle in the heavenly realms
for the souls of recently saved/saved and lukewarm
oblivious to anything beyond what’s happening in
our own private lives and home. God forgive me for backing away from what I’ve known He’s woken me up for every night for many years. Thank you
Jesus for time, forgiveness, plans, power, strength, wisdom, direction, hope and everything we need to fulfill the PURPOSE for each one of us.
Share Jesus without fear, with love. See you in heaven.
I participated in the truth project, and even though being christian, who “woke up”,and reads the bible in a.m. before I start my day, I do 1000+% believe every “Jot and tittle”, I find it is hard to witness, only with other believers. I seem to get all tongue-tied, even though I know what I know. It’s because, I guess, if I try to witness and people don’t want to listen, I feel, ok, it’s your loss. You will spend eternity without God, not me. Like where the bible says if people don’t want to listen, shake the dust from your shoes and go to the next town. I tried to witness to my husband, Now deceased, and he always told me he would not keep me from God,and he believed in God, but don’t preach to Him. So where do you draw the line? I also pray if it comes to it, I WILL be able to be a martyr, Please Lord, Give me the strength to do what I need to do. Any comments or thoughts would be appreciated.
Wow…The spirit of Ahab is alive and well, especially seen in the area of politics. My husband is an elected official in our home state. I have watched men who came here with supposedly strong moral character and a desire to do the right thing(they talked the talk), but with time, have become “yes” men and fallen in with groups of “yes” men. It’s sad to watch and very
disappointing. Knowing that God has given them an opportunity to make a difference, and they won’t do it, frankly is sickening. The way I see it, this job has become to some an opportunity for advancement in politics at any cost, even switching political parties because
it is to their future benefit. I thank God that I have had the privilege of watching my husband
come to this position with integrity and a moral compass. He knows the word of God, and will not stray from the firm foundation. He knows that this is an opportunity for a short season, and when it is over, he will have no regrets of compromise. This only happens when the Holy Spirit is dwelling in a person. We need to be in prayer, especially for every Christian who has been given the authority to be involved in making the laws and deciding the budgets for their state. God’s wisdom is a MUST…. and then… the courage to act on that wisdom. Those Christians ARE here, but for some, the “feeling of power” becomes a drug to them, and it’s but a short fall to foolish pride. God help us!!!!
Our salvation is not in our government, but when given an opportunity to serve in such a capacity, STAND UP AND SPEAK/VOTE for righteousness. It will make a difference to someone. Man’s approval is worthless! We only need the approval of God.
Blessings to all of you who have given us the
Truth Project. It is a tool for great good.
After viewing Tour 4 with a small group on Tuesday, I experience God, as El Quanna, working in me. I cherish how He uncovers and lays bare(Heb 4:12-13)the condition in my heart and mind opposing the expression of His jealous love through me to others.
His gentle and jealous love for me amazes me and helps me see how He designs me to love others. His Love for me begins with John 3:16 and compells my actions in John 13:34-35.
I too love El Quanna because He shows me how wide and long, high and deep He can love others through me, including my enemies.
God is truth and in speaking the heart of God the prophets could do nothing else but convey the truth to whom they spoke. We as a society, Christians included, are more often than not reluctant to hear the truth(God’s truth)because in doing so we receive condemnation for our wrongheadedness. God’s truth illuminates our fallen nature and we are not very comfortable in the spotlight. Christians understand and accept this refinement but the lost we are offering the truth more often than not only perceive the condemnation imposed by it. In most of what I read from Ravi Zacharias he maintains the premise that the truth we convey should address the question or problem posed. It is easy enough to speak out against the ill that pervades our society but I feel we as Christians and the body of Christ should do more than condemn, we are called to gently restore others to the truth. I am as guilty as anyone of forgetting that just as Jesus had compassion on the lost so must I. We must speak truth into the darkness but in a way that brings about understanding of that truth so that those who hear will be restored to the light. I feel the restoration of our nation will begin in the body as we once again come to the understanding that we are not called to cast out our fellow man and condemn him but to bring him into the presence of Christ and in so doing rescue him. Speak the truth, fight the good fight and never forget by whom you are called to do so.
God is clear in scripture that we are to ’speak the truth in love. As I have found to be true..people sometimes don’t like truth. God is truth, so stand your watch speaking His Words. Warning and also encourageing, as our example Jesus the Christ did so often to those who crossed His path.
Where are the Christians demanding truth regarding the attacks of 911. I’m pretty lonely out here.