The greatest deception in the modern church is the matter of using God\u2019s Word to put a badge of approval on covetousness. On the surface, this false doctrine works (see 1 Kings 21:14-16). It got Ahab what he wanted. <\/p>\n
Naboth the Jezreelite had told Ahab that he would not give him the inheritance of his fathers because the Lord forbade him to do so. \u201cSo Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him\u2026. Then Jezebel his wife said to him, \u2018You now exercise authority over Israel! Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.\u2019\u201d (1 Kings 21:4-7, NKJV).<\/em><\/p>\n Listen to the doctrine of Jezebel: \u201cYou are number one, and you have rights. Let nothing stop you from getting what you want.\u201d That is a false gospel in a nutshell. \u201cDon\u2019t sweat it. Don\u2019t feel sad or condemned by those desires that eat you up. I\u2019ll get it for you.\u201d Like the deceptive methods Jezebel used, these doctrines twist and misuse scripture.<\/p>\n However, Ahab could not enjoy what he received because of a pesky prophet of God. God sent the prophet Elijah, saying, \u201cArise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth\u2026 You shall speak to him, saying, \u2018Thus says the Lord: \u201cHave you murdered and also taken possession?\u201d\u2019 And you shall speak to him, saying, \u2018Thus says the Lord: \u201cIn the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.\u201d\u2019\u201d (1 Kings 21:17-19).<\/em><\/p>\n Imagine Ahab walking about his new possession, saying, \u201cIsn\u2019t life sweet? Ah, Jezebel. I may not agree with all her methods, but she certainly gets it done.\u201d But dogging his every footstep was the prophet Elijah.<\/p>\n So it is today. God has sent prophets, crying aloud, confronting the false doctrine of materialism, making it uncomfortable for Christians to enjoy their ill-gotten playthings and acquisitions. This is the Spirit of Christ, crying out for repentance among his people!<\/p>\n