2nd Chronicles chapter 18. Friends with God or friends with the world?
King Ahab wanted so badly to destroy and kill Ramoth Gilead that he asked King Jehoshaphat to join him in war. King Jehoshaphat was wise to say let's seek the Lords counsel. 400 prophets said go and fight and you'll win. King Jehoshaphat had the spirit within him to know their counsel was not accurate. So they brought Micaiah the prophet before them and he said don't go and fight for Israel will be scattered. He even said the 400 Prophets were deceived by an evil spirit.
Why didn't King Jehoshaphat listen to the counsel of Micaiah? And why did he listen to King Ahab to dress into his Royal robes at battle? Doing so is like wearing a Target on one's back. We need to learn to listen to that deep inner Spirit within us that says don't do something when the rest of those around us say it's okay. It's amazing what stupid things we'll do because “everybody else is doing it.”
I remember as a kid stealing golf balls because the older boys were doing it. Inside, I knew I shouldn't. Why didn't I listen to that inner voice?
I remember other things I did as a teen because the older boys were doing it, which I'm ashamed of.
I remember us being disrespectful to two innocent guys which I regret now.
It's amazing what stupid things we'll do so we can fit in.
James 4:4 says if we want to become friends of the world we make ourselves an enemy of God.
We have to learn not just to listen to that inner voice, but obey it.
James 4:7-8 gives good counsel:
1. We must learn to submit ourselves to God and not to the world. Even if it means being the only person who does what is right like Micaiah the prophet. Even if it means being punished or ridiculed like when Micaiah was put in prison with only bread and water to eat and drink.
2. And we need to learn to resist the devil and his temptations. We have to learn to say no and to walk away from temptations.
3. Submitting ourselves to God + resisting the devil = God's presence with us. We need God's presence, His Holy Spirit, to help us. So let's humbly keep submitting to the Lord.
It’s never a good idea to follow the crowd or just go along with whatever the majority of others decide to do. We are to walk in Christ. Even if there might be times when it seems like we are standing alone, it’s better to be living for the Lord than living for the world.
I was reminded today of Colossians 2:6-10.
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”