How can we ensure our actions align with God's will, unlike Israel's kings? A Snapshot of 2 Kings 15:9 “He did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.” What Went Wrong? • The king measured himself by family tradition, not divine instruction. • He ignored God’s earlier warnings (1 Kings 14:16; 2 Kings 14:24). • He allowed national culture to overrule covenant loyalty. Principles for Aligning Our Actions with God’s Will • Saturate your mind with God’s Word – Deuteronomy 17:18-19 commanded every king to write and read the Law daily. – Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” • Submit to God’s transforming work – Romans 12:2 calls us to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – John 15:5 reminds us: “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” • Seek the Spirit’s leading over fleshly impulses – Galatians 5:16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Practice obedient follow-through – James 1:22: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Surround yourself with godly voices – Proverbs 13:20: “He who walks with the wise grows wise.” Putting It into Daily Practice 1. Schedule unhurried Bible reading; copy key verses to mirror Deuteronomy 17’s pattern. 2. Pray over decisions, asking, “Does this line up with clear scriptural commands?” 3. Invite mature believers to speak candidly into your life. 4. Evaluate habits weekly: keep what pleases God, discard what doesn’t. 5. Celebrate small obediences; they build momentum for larger ones. Encouraging Examples • Josiah (2 Kings 22-23) heard the Law, tore his robes, and reformed the nation. • Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself (Daniel 1:8) and influenced empires. • The early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42) and saw daily growth. Takeaway Commitments • I will let Scripture, not culture or heritage, define right and wrong. • I will renew my mind daily so my actions naturally flow in God’s direction. • I will walk in step with the Spirit, trusting His power to keep me from repeating Israel’s failures. |
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