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1 Samuel 16:1-13 – Praying through the Bible #92 – A Prayer that Leads to Deception
My wife and I received an invitation from friends to join them in traveling to a foreign country to preach and teach. Having traveled to Jamaica, South America, and the Philippines, this would not be my first evangelistic trip overseas. This time though, was different. Preaching the gospel is illegal. Christians there meet secretively. Applying for a visa, we had to tell the truth deceptively without lying. As not all killing is murder, not all deception is lying. The following Biblical story soothed my conscience.
A familiar and favorite scene in the life of David is when he is anointed. The key phrase dear to many is God saying to Samuel, “Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart” (1 Samuel 16.7). God sees through the facades, through the glamour, through first impressions, through anything and everything that gets in the way of seeing the heart’s ultimate truth.
Before this insightful scene, God tells Samuel “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected a king from his sons” (16.1). Samuel truthfully and fearfully responds: “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!” (16.2). Notice the contrast between Saul and Samuel. One mourns the other’s downfall, while the other is willing to kill his old companion. Man sees not what God sees, but what God sees eventually becomes obvious. Actions reveal the heart.
God instructs Samuel to deceive without lying: “Take a young cow with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate to you” (16.2-3). Basically, God is giving Samuel a “cover story;” one that is true, but designed to deceive. Samuel does not lie, but does not tell all the truth. Samuel deceives Saul to protect his life and David’s, but he does not lie. Does this bother your conscience?
When making our evangelistic trip to this unfriendly country, we deceived without lying. When asked the purpose of our visit, we said “tourism.” Our first day there we toured. When asked occupations, we said, “teacher.” Biblically, preachers are teachers. Due to circumstances I will not divulge, our second day there our true purpose was discovered; resulting in being interrogated by the bureau of religious affairs. When asked, “Are you Christians?” everyone answered “Yes.” When asked to confess Christ, believers must always answer fully and truthfully, with no deception.
Prayer Challenge – Pray our conscience will be guided by God’s standards, and not our own. Be willing to confess Christ and lay down our life. Learn to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Pray for those in unfriendly circumstances to know how to preserve their lives without denying Christ.
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