How can we avoid negative influences like those described in 2 Chronicles 21:6? The Warning from 2 Chronicles 21:6 “And he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.” Roots of Negative Influence Highlighted in the Verse • An ungodly alliance: Jehoram’s marriage tied him to Ahab’s corrupt household • Willful imitation: he “walked in the ways” of those who despised God • Progressive hardening: evil choices became his settled pattern Scriptural Safeguards against Corruption • Psalm 1:1 – Blessing flows to the one who “does not walk in the counsel of the wicked” • Proverbs 13:20 – “A companion of fools will be destroyed” • 1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Bad company corrupts good character” • 2 Corinthians 6:14 – Refusal to be “unequally yoked with unbelievers” • Ephesians 5:11 – “Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” Practical Steps for Guarding the Heart • Evaluate close relationships – Identify friendships, media, and environments that pull the heart from obedience • Set clear boundaries – Limit exposure to voices that normalize sin – Decline partnerships that compromise biblical convictions • Seek accountability – Invite mature believers to speak truth when drift appears • Saturate the mind with Scripture – Daily reading and memorization renew thinking (Romans 12:2) • Cultivate godly companionship – Spend intentional time with those who sharpen faith (Proverbs 27:17) • Depend on the Holy Spirit – Walk by the Spirit to resist flesh-driven patterns (Galatians 5:16) Filling the Heart with What Is Better • Worship that exalts Christ redirects affections (Colossians 3:16) • Service in the local church surrounds believers with like-minded servants • Continuous gratitude keeps focus on God’s goodness rather than worldly allure (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Living Out the Difference Choosing influences is not passive. By rejecting unholy alliances, imitating Christ instead of the world, and embracing the disciplines above, believers remain steadfast and fruitful, avoiding the tragic path Jehoram followed. |
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