Don't listen to fools...
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Memory Scripture: "So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work. " 1 Chronicles 28:10
Rehoboam was a fool.
Reho-who? You ask?
King Rehobaom, son of King Solomon, grandson of King David.
If you are in 2 Chronicles with us, you may have just read this. If not, no worries. I'll explain. :)
When Solomon died, his kingdom was left to his son, Rehobaom. Let's just call him Reho for now, Ok? My spell check is having a hey day with that name.
Reho was approached by another leader, Jeroboam, and some other leaders in Israel. They asked Reho if he would lighten the harsh labor demands, and heavy taxes that his father (Solomon) had imposed on them.
Their advice to Reho was that the people would be loyal to him forever if he was less harsh.
Wisely, for once, Reho told them to come back in three days and he would decide.
Reho then consulted the older, wiser, men of his kingdom. These men had also counseled Solomon, and they were very trusted.
The older men told Reho to go easier on the people. They advised him that his kindness and generosity would keep them loyal subjects to him. (Same advice that Jeroboam had given him)
Well, he didn't really like that advice, so he set out to seek more advice.
This time, he sought younger men who had grown up with him.
These younger men told Reho to be even harsher than his father. To threaten them with his power and make them work in even worse conditions.
Reho liked this advice.
Reho was a fool.
Due to his folly, Reho ended up losing his kingdom and brought great hardship to Israel because of his foolishness. The people hated him and rejected him--just like the older, wiser men had told him.
(If you want to read something interesting, read what King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:18-19!!!)
I have thought about this story all day today.
There have been times through the years when I have gone "advice shopping". Looking for what I wanted to hear from one friend to the next.
Often we do this as women, don't we?
We go to our girlfriends and they often tell us what we want to hear.
It is okay to vent, but it is not okay to listen to or give unwise advice.
We often are not careful, or prayerful, before giving advice.
This is dangerous.
It certainly was for Reho.
Over the years, when Lem and I would have issues arise, I knew friends to go to that would take my side and tell me exactly what my itching ears wanted to hear.
Every time, I would regret the decision to follow that advice, and my marriage was none the better.
On the rare occasion, I would go to a friend that would pray with me, lead me to what God had to say about the situation, and point out things that I had done and not just blaming my husband.
It was HARD getting the wise advice. It made me uncomfortable. It was painful to swallow. And humbling.
However, it always worked best.
Having girlfriends is good, having wise girlfriends is best.
If you feel fired up and fueled up after getting advice from a friend, it is probably not good advice.
If you feel conviction and humility after receiving advice, it is probably the wise advice.
Friends, we have a responsibility to each other.
We are to spur each other on in wisdom, prayer, encouragement, and scripture.
We are not to bash, slander, and spew hatred about others. Just read the book of Proverbs. A fool does all of these things. Yikes.
Sometimes, it may take re-evaluating those closest to us. Praying about those friends we "tell" things to, or ask advice from.
Very well meaning friends can give very detrimental advice.
Reho was a fool because he listened to fools.
He could have changed the course of history if he would have taken the advice of those wise men.
He thought their advice would make him look weak.
Reho was a fool.
Let's learn from him. Let's seek wisdom from those around us. Prayerfully, humbly, and gently desiring truth instead of feel-good words that cater to the flesh.
Some scriptures I am pondering..
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16
Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13
**For my married SHINE readers: Tomorrow I am starting a 14 day Love Dare on my Instagram page. I would love for you to join us. If you have Instagram you can follow us at @shinegirlsshine.
seeking wisdom,
jill
Subscribe to SHINE emails: Go here.
Memory Scripture: "So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work. " 1 Chronicles 28:10
Rehoboam was a fool.
Reho-who? You ask?
King Rehobaom, son of King Solomon, grandson of King David.
If you are in 2 Chronicles with us, you may have just read this. If not, no worries. I'll explain. :)
When Solomon died, his kingdom was left to his son, Rehobaom. Let's just call him Reho for now, Ok? My spell check is having a hey day with that name.
Reho was approached by another leader, Jeroboam, and some other leaders in Israel. They asked Reho if he would lighten the harsh labor demands, and heavy taxes that his father (Solomon) had imposed on them.
Their advice to Reho was that the people would be loyal to him forever if he was less harsh.
Wisely, for once, Reho told them to come back in three days and he would decide.
Reho then consulted the older, wiser, men of his kingdom. These men had also counseled Solomon, and they were very trusted.
The older men told Reho to go easier on the people. They advised him that his kindness and generosity would keep them loyal subjects to him. (Same advice that Jeroboam had given him)
Well, he didn't really like that advice, so he set out to seek more advice.
This time, he sought younger men who had grown up with him.
These younger men told Reho to be even harsher than his father. To threaten them with his power and make them work in even worse conditions.
Reho liked this advice.
Reho was a fool.
Due to his folly, Reho ended up losing his kingdom and brought great hardship to Israel because of his foolishness. The people hated him and rejected him--just like the older, wiser men had told him.
(If you want to read something interesting, read what King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:18-19!!!)
I have thought about this story all day today.
There have been times through the years when I have gone "advice shopping". Looking for what I wanted to hear from one friend to the next.
Often we do this as women, don't we?
We go to our girlfriends and they often tell us what we want to hear.
It is okay to vent, but it is not okay to listen to or give unwise advice.
We often are not careful, or prayerful, before giving advice.
This is dangerous.
It certainly was for Reho.
Over the years, when Lem and I would have issues arise, I knew friends to go to that would take my side and tell me exactly what my itching ears wanted to hear.
Every time, I would regret the decision to follow that advice, and my marriage was none the better.
On the rare occasion, I would go to a friend that would pray with me, lead me to what God had to say about the situation, and point out things that I had done and not just blaming my husband.
It was HARD getting the wise advice. It made me uncomfortable. It was painful to swallow. And humbling.
However, it always worked best.
Having girlfriends is good, having wise girlfriends is best.
If you feel fired up and fueled up after getting advice from a friend, it is probably not good advice.
If you feel conviction and humility after receiving advice, it is probably the wise advice.
Friends, we have a responsibility to each other.
We are to spur each other on in wisdom, prayer, encouragement, and scripture.
We are not to bash, slander, and spew hatred about others. Just read the book of Proverbs. A fool does all of these things. Yikes.
Sometimes, it may take re-evaluating those closest to us. Praying about those friends we "tell" things to, or ask advice from.
Very well meaning friends can give very detrimental advice.
Reho was a fool because he listened to fools.
He could have changed the course of history if he would have taken the advice of those wise men.
He thought their advice would make him look weak.
Reho was a fool.
Let's learn from him. Let's seek wisdom from those around us. Prayerfully, humbly, and gently desiring truth instead of feel-good words that cater to the flesh.
Some scriptures I am pondering..
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16
Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13
**For my married SHINE readers: Tomorrow I am starting a 14 day Love Dare on my Instagram page. I would love for you to join us. If you have Instagram you can follow us at @shinegirlsshine.
seeking wisdom,
jill
