Beware of Bad Advice

So, Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” And he answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord: 1 Kings 20:21 (NKJV)

King Ahab sees a vineyard next to his palace that he wants to turn into a vegetable garden, so he offers the owner a vineyard of far better quality or to pay the owner whatever he requests for his vineyard. When the owner refuses Ahab's offer, his wife, Jezabel tells him she will get if for him and sets up the owner of the vineyard, which results in his execution. Jezabel then tells her husband to take the land for himself because there is no owner for the land. Because Ahab followed the evil advice of his wife, the Lord sends Elijah to him and lets him know that he will cut off his kingdom and Jezabel will die.

It can be easy to listen to bad advice when you want something for yourself. One of Satan's ploys is exploiting your personal vulnerabilities, such as pride, fear, and doubt. He tells the alcoholic, go ahead and take that drink: you deserve it because no one cares for you. He tells the person with a pornography addition: it's your business and it doesn't hurt anyone. He tells the gambler: you are going to win big, and all your problems are going to go away. Satan tells us that everyone does it, so it is ok to do it. John 8:44 says, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Satan uses lies and bad advice to keep us in our addictions and one of his best lies is that you are not worth it. But Jesus says, yes you are and went to the cross for you.

Choose not to follow the bad advice that comes from the devil and believe in the truth that comes from Jesus Christ: "You are worth it!" Write it down on a sticky note and refer to it when you feel down or tempted. Recognize the arrows that Satan launches toward your mind and heart, such as fear, worry, and doubt about God's love and relationship with you. Replace the lies with God's truth, the Holy Word and write down memory verses on an index card. My memory verse is Isaiah 41:10 which says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Join a faith-based recovery group like Celebrate Recovery and debunk the bad advice that Satan uses against you.