Ezekiel 33:22
Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb. Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.
Ezekiel 33 belongs with the verse as an outline of the work God approves, and it is to be carefully studied because it lays the watchman's responsibility upon those who preach the Word. Those appointed as watchmen are charged to guard God's people from spiritual dangers. One who takes the work of a minister is responsible to help his church obey the Word of the Lord.
Those who preach without prayerfully searching the Scriptures bring ruin upon themselves. Those who hold error and preach false doctrine contrary to a plain Thus saith the Lord receive condemnation proportionate to the influence of their words and example in leading men and women into transgression. Many ministers stand directly in the way of obedience by warning the people against doing what God told them to do. In doing the enemy's work while professing to be on the Lord's side and hindering others from receiving the Word, they will have to answer for it, and the blood of souls that perish through their unfaithfulness will be upon their heads. Every man must give strict account for his influence.
God holds each person personally responsible, no one can obey for his neighbor, and another person's neglect of duty does not excuse one's own neglect. Those who allow themselves to be deceived are not excused for neglecting to search God's Word for themselves and committing their souls to an unfaithful minister. A minister cannot pay ransom for souls. Christ gave His life to save them and to give them another trial to return to loyalty, and those who take Satan's side to justify sin must themselves bear the penalty of sin.