The Subtle Deceptive Voice of Reason

One day Samuel said to Saul, “It was the LORD who told me to anoint you as king of his people, Israel. Now listen to this message from the LORD! This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt. Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation—men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.” [1 Samuel 15.1-3]

I write a lot. Whether it is for work or ministry, I try as best I can to be clear about what I am saying. Of course, it does not always work.

Instructions are the most difficult thing to convey to people. It seems no matter how I write instructions, someone always misinterprets them. In some cases, it is obvious the instructions were only partially read or not read at all. I guess I should not be so surprised...

God gave specific instructions to Samuel to pass on to Saul regarding the destruction of the Amalekites. What followed was a disaster of misinterpretation, misunderstanding, and denial. Saul and his army left Agag (king of Amalek) alive along with the best of the livestock.

No doubt Samuel knew what Saul was supposed to do and, at least thought he had conveyed that instruction clearly:

When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the LORD bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!” “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded. [1 Samuel 15.13-14]

Saul's response then revealed that Saul had done some reasoning of his own:

“It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the LORD your God. We have destroyed everything else.” [1 Samuel 15.15]

However, after Samuel confronted Saul on following his own reasoning over the command of God, Saul insisted that he had indeed followed God:

“But I did obey the LORD,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” [1 Samuel 15.20-21]

With further confrontation from Samuel, Saul eventually confessed that he did it his own way and disobeyed God.

The subtle deceptive voice of reason in our heads can really get us into trouble. It cost Saul his job. It just so happens his job was being king of Israel. It is quite possible that Saul's subtle deceptive voice of reason may have excluded him from an eternity with God...

Father, forgive me for listening to my own subtle deceptive voice of reason. I know I can convince myself of something better than anyone else can. Please help me to convince myself only of Your Word alone without my interpretation of it!