How Long Will You Waver Between Two Opinions?
Scripture: 1 Kings 18: 20-24 So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.”
Revelation 2:20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Israel was a nation that knew God and had witnessed His mighty works. God Himself had led them, yet they eventually asked for a king so that they could be like the surrounding nations. In the days of King Ahab, this departure from God became especially evident. Ahab was greatly influenced by Jezebel, whose influence led Israel into Baal worship and brought persecution upon the prophets of God.
Elijah, however, was a man who walked with God, feared Him and was not afraid to speak the truth. He stood before a nation that had been led astray and refused to remain silent. His life demonstrates what it means to stand for God when truth is unpopular and opposition is strong.
Elijah felt that he was alone, hunted and in danger of losing his life. Yet God showed him that there were still many who had not bowed to Baal. We may sometimes feel that we are standing alone, but we must not allow fear to silence us. Those who truly walk with God must be willing to speak the truth and remain faithful, even when it costs them something.
The influence of Jezebel is also a warning about the power of deception. Revelation 2:20 speaks of a similar spirit that teaches and seduces people away from the ways of God. We must therefore be careful about the influences we allow into our lives, our homes and our marriages. A person should never enter marriage thinking, “I will change the other person later.” We cannot change another person's heart. The spiritual foundation of the person we marry matters greatly, because wrong influences can affect an entire family and even a nation.
The sermon also warned about the power of the tongue. Words can deceive, confuse and lead people away from God. Every person will one day give an account before God for what has been spoken. We must therefore ensure that our words are governed by truth rather than fear, selfish ambition or manipulation.
Elijah's challenge remains one of the great challenges to Christians today: “How long will you waver between two opinions?” We cannot serve God and Baal. We cannot claim to love God while continuing to love the things of the world. God does not want a divided heart. He calls us to serve Him completely.
One of the greatest dangers is the fear of man. People may look around to see whether anyone is watching before deciding what they will do, but they have forgotten to look up. God sees everything. We are not ultimately accountable to people but to God. Scripture tells us not to fear those who can destroy the body, but to fear God, who has authority over both body and soul.
A true Christian must develop courage and a backbone. We must be willing to say, “Others may do it, but I will not. God leads me, and I will serve Him.” We must not compromise the truth for money, influence, business opportunities, acceptance or personal advantage. What profit is there in gaining something in this world while losing what is eternal?
Naboth's refusal to surrender his vineyard is another serious warning. He understood that his inheritance had been entrusted to him and that he must not sell it. In the same way, we must guard what God has entrusted to us. We must not sell our spiritual inheritance, our faith, our marriage, our family or the sacred things God has given us because someone promises us something that appears better.
The question is therefore personal: Do we truly love God, or are we still wavering between God and the world? Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” If we love Christ, our lives must demonstrate it.
We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let us therefore fear God rather than man, stand openly for the truth, refuse compromise, and remain faithful to the Lord whatever the cost.
