After King Jeroboam set up a false altar in Bethel, God called a prophet to go and speak against it. After the prophecy was confirmed through miraculous signs, Jeroboam invited the man of God back to his place for a bite to eat. But the man of God refused saying,

“It was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’” (1 Kings 13:9 NKJV)

Afterwards another prophet asked him to come to his house, but the man of God refused, that is until the prophet lied; telling him God said it was okay. So the man of God went back with him.

Because the man of God disobeyed the word God had given, a lion killed him that very day.

The first lesson is obvious. Follow God’s word even though someone may say something different. If it doesn’t match God’s word don’t believe it.

The second lesson is not to return to the same old ways.

Far too often we rehearse what God has done for us thinking He’ll do it again. But God has a new way. This is not saying God’s word isn’t valid, or we should stray away from the basics, instead we’re to enquire of God and allow Him to show us the way He wants us to travel in this journey towards spiritual transformation.

This is how it worked for King David. When the Philistines attacked a second time, instead of going back to what worked before, David inquired of the Lord, and God showed him a new way, and David succeeded, 1 Chronicles 14:10-16.

The Apostle Paul said we’re to forget those things that are behind and press forward toward the goal of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus, Philippians 3:13-14

Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 NKJV)