One example occurs in 1 Kings 13. A prophet is sent to deliver a dire message to the wicked king Jeroboam. God evidently has told the prophet that, after delivering the message, he is to refuse any and all offers of food or drink and return to his home.
But during his journey home, an elderly prophet hears of the visit by the first prophet and invites the visitor to his home to eat and drink. When the first prophet says that he cannot, because that goes against God's orders, the elderly prophet offers the following lie (1 Kings 13:18, KJV),
An angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water.The reason for the deception is not clear, but the first prophet, evidently convinced, follows the elderly prophet to eat and drink. That act of disobedience displeases God, who then sends a lion to kill the first prophet.
But why is the first prophet punished? Doesn't fault lie with the elderly prophet who lied about speaking with an angel?
The point, it seems, is that the first prophet already had his orders from God. He should have trusted and followed those orders without question. Instead, he was lead astray by another person's interpretation of right and wrong.
We all risk being lead astray is similar ways. After all, we have the bible, God's word, which unambiguously lays out what is right, what is wrong, and what we are to do. But then when something earthly, be it a person or institution or societal norm, tries to interpret right and wrong in a manner that contradicts God's word, we don't have any excuse for ditching God to conform to that earthly source.
Therefore, we must pray without ceasing, so that our actions and thoughts remain consistent with God's will.
