Beware Deception

Then the king answered the people roughly, and rejected the advice which the elders had given him; 1 Kings 12:13 (NKJV)

When Solomon's son, Rehoboam became king, the people of Israel approached him and asked him to lighten the burden that his father had put on them. He first went to the elders who were Solomon's advisors, who told him to lighten the burden, and they would be his loyal servants forever. Not caring for their advice, he went to the young men who grew up with him. Like him, they were arrogant and told Rehoboam to say that his yoke on them was going to be far greater than his fathers. Rehoboam never wanted wise counsel. He wanted advice that followed his viewpoints, so he followed the young men's counsel, which led to Israel being torn away from him, leaving only Judah under his reign.

God gives us good counsel, but Satan tells us what we want to hear, appealing to our selfish, naturalistic, or rebellious desires that brings destruction. Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel." Sometimes it is hard to hear good counsel because it gets in the way of our selfish desires, but it also keeps us from self-destruction. 1 Timothy 4:16 says, "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." When we choose to listen to good counsel from God and others filled with His spirit, we receive protection from error and become aligned with God's will.

Choose good counsel over advice that makes you feel good. Feed your body and spirit with wise counsel, foreboding the entrance of impure desires. Fill your mind with scripture by going to it daily, memorizing and meditating on it, focusing your mind on what is pure, lovely and honorable. Seek accountability, sharing your struggles and thoughts to a spirit-led mentor, like your pastor or elder in the church. Admit to God and someone you trust your sinful nature and that you do not have the strength to overcome your sin alone. Most of all, pray about every decision and if it aligns with God's will for your life. Beware of deception and always seek good counsel, even when it feels inconvenient to do so.