How can we avoid negative influences like Ahaziah's advisors in our lives? Ahaziah’s Short Reign: A Cautionary Snapshot 2 Chronicles 22:2: “Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri.” • Ahaziah’s single year on the throne ended in disaster because he “walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother counseled him to do wickedly” (v. 3). • His inner circle—family and advisors steeped in idolatry—shaped his choices, and those choices shaped his destiny. Why Negative Counsel Is So Dangerous • Proverbs 13:20: “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” • 1 Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” • Psalm 1:1 highlights the downward spiral: walk, stand, sit—little compromises that harden into habits. When we let ungodly influence guide us, we risk: – Blurring moral boundaries – Numbing conviction of the Holy Spirit – Making decisions that bring long-term harm to ourselves and those we lead Spotting the Red Flags Watch for advisors (friends, media voices, mentors) who… – Normalize sin or mock obedience to God – Appeal mainly to ego, popularity, or profit – Dismiss Scripture’s authority or twist it to fit culture – Push you to act quickly without prayer or wise counsel – Isolate you from believers who love you enough to challenge you Building a God-Honoring Inner Circle 1. Prioritize fellowship with mature believers • Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” • Look for friends who will celebrate righteousness, not just your achievements. 2. Filter every voice through Scripture • Acts 17:11 praises the Bereans for examining “the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were true.” • Keep an open Bible (and heart) whenever advice is given. 3. Seek mentors who fear the Lord • Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” • Choose people whose lives show long-term faithfulness, not momentary flash. 4. Invite accountability before a crisis hits • James 5:16 links confession and prayer with healing. • Give trusted believers permission to speak truth even when it stings. 5. Guard your media intake • Philippians 4:8 offers a content filter—true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable. • Regularly audit streaming, social feeds, podcasts: Are they sharpening or dulling your love for Christ? Practical Daily Habits – Begin each morning in the Word before scrolling a screen. – Memorize verses that confront your specific temptations. – Journal decisions, noting whose counsel influenced you and whether it aligned with Scripture. – End the day with a brief heart check: “Did any voice today pull me away from Christ?” Living Centered on Christ, Not Crowd Approval • John 10:27: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” • Galatians 1:10 warns that living for human applause makes us servants of people, not servants of Christ. • The Holy Spirit indwells every believer (Romans 8:9), giving discernment beyond human wisdom. Stay sensitive by immediate obedience. Key Verses to Keep Ready – Proverbs 4:23: “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” – Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – 2 Timothy 2:22: “Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Closing Takeaway Ahaziah’s downfall wasn’t inevitable; it was chosen through the voices he trusted. Choose differently. Fill your ears, mind, and schedule with people and resources that echo God’s Word, and you’ll walk a path of wisdom, blessing, and lasting impact. |
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