1. “Speak to us smooth things”
Isaiah 30:8-11
Most have heard about the overweight smoker who, after taking his annual physical exam, was lectured at length by his doctor on the dangers of smoking and obesity. When asked by the doctor what he intended to do about these things he replied, "Sir, I'm going to go out and find me a fat doctor who smokes!“
Though humorous, this reveals an all too common response to judgements that expose our weaknesses and call for correction.
Might expect resistance to criticism that is (Ridicule, or from Ulterior Motives, or Unduly harsh
However, what if there is love expressed, with a desire for our profit?
What if such advice is offered in the spiritual realm rather than the physical? What should our response be?
(Isaiah 30:8-11) [Jehovah’s admonition to the prophet], “Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and note it on a scroll, that it may be for time to come, forever and ever: 9 that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the Lord; 10 Who say to the seers, "Do not see,“ and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. 11 Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us."
Note: No one would actually SAY this. But, the resistance to needed truth and admonition is the equivalent.
Just as in the physical realm, people look for someone who will tell them what they want to hear!
Sermon inspired by an article by Dan Shipley (Fat Doctors Who Smoke) in Plain Talk

2. “Speak to us smooth things”
Ahab an example (1 Kings 22:8)
Wicked Ahab hated the prophet Micaiah.
Jehoshaphat, king of Judah went to visit Ahab, king of Israel (Israel at war with Syria)
Jehoshaphat agreed to fight with Israel, but asked confirmation of God’s will before committing to the battle.
400 prophets predicted victory! (Jehoshaphat was not satisfied. Asked, "Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?“ (1 Kings 22:7).
Ahab’s response:
(1 Kings 22:8), “So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.’“
What had faithful Micaiah said? (ONLY WHAT THE LORD HAD TOLD HIM!)
(1 Kings 22:13-14), “Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, ‘Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.’ 14 And Micaiah said, ‘As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak.’”
Consider irony in Ahab’s words when Micaiah first hold him what he wanted to hear (victory rather than defeat and death).
(1 Kings 22:16), “So the king said to him, "How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?“
He said it, but he really didn’t mean it!

3. “Speak to us smooth things”
Ahab an example (1 Kings 22:8)
Modern “Ahabs” feel the same way! (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Many modern Ahabs feel the same about God's word.
(2 Timothy 4:3-4), “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
They leave the faith, but not religion.
Their measure of acceptable preaching is personal preference rather than sound doctrine.
To this end, they will not listen to the words of the Great Physician
Instead, they heap to themselves preachers who will feed them pleasant fables instead of objectionable truth.
[Next Slide] In fact, here is the heart of the problem…

4. “Speak to us smooth things”
Ahab an example (1 Kings 22:8)
Modern “Ahabs” feel the same way! (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Problem: Thinking only in terms of what you receive rather than what you reject! (James 2:10)
In fact, here is the heart of the problem.
It is not that such persons find ALL truth distasteful, or even most of it.
Many are deceived on this point because they think only in terms of what they receive and not what they reject.
They fail to see the gospel as a system of truth — to be accepted as a unit, or not at all.
(James 2:10), “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Some may object that this refers to the Old Testament, under the New it is different… NOT SO!
God’s provision of mercy under the New does not mean one can pick and choose which commandments they will keep.
(James 2:12), “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”
Now, which laws do violators not want to hear about do you suppose?
The answer is obvious because the truth that incriminates is often the truth that irritates. (cf. Jews in Acts 7. Convicted… became angry)

5. “Speak to us smooth things”
Ahab an example (1 Kings 22:8)
Modern “Ahabs” feel the same way! (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Problem: Thinking only in terms of what you receive rather than what you reject! (James 2:10)
The purpose of truth: Convict and Convert! (John 16:8)
However, it is also such truth that convicts and converts!
This is the means by which the Holy Spirit convicts the world in respect of sin
(John 16:8) [Jesus’ promise in sending the Holy Spirit as a guide], “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment”
Truth WILL expose our weaknesses and sin.
This is necessary, because only the convicted can be changed!
May we love, respect and respond to God's truth, even when it hurts
May we shun the counsel of those whose only purpose is to speak to us smooth things!

6. Conclusion
Don’t underestimate the destruction that can come from one who speaks only the smooth things that please men.
1 Kings 22:37
Ahab didn’t listen to Micaiah, instead he listened to the lying prophets to deceived him, saying that Israel would gain victory!
Micaiah said the Syrians would prevail, and King Ahab would be killed!
Ahab had him put into prison for daring to predict his death.
Micaiah’s response (1 Kings 22:28), “But Micaiah said, "If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me." And he said, "Take heed, all you people!“
What did the lies of the prophet do to Ahab?
(1 Kings 22:37), “So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria.”
Though he disguised himself, he was killed by a random arrow shot from the bow of a Syrian.
FIND THOSE WHO WILL PROCLAIM THE WHOLE OF GOD’S COUNSEL, AND HEED THEIR WORDS!