Bad Advice

I walked to a church near my home to learn more about it. The service was attended by about thirteen people. Three of them were wearing masks, and most of them were elderly women. Several of them warmly introduced themselves, and after I sat down, Phyliss* came over and gave me a brief history of the church.  “We are very small . . . the church split before Covid and over half of the congregation and the pastor left . . . Covid really did a number on us . . . . many still watch the services online.” At least they were blessed with a Liberty University professor who accurately preached the Word of God.   ​

I watched the speaker’s wife remove her mask to share an announcement. Before she returned to her isolated seat, she remasked, found the soap dispenser, and wiped her hands.**  She embodied a feeling I could not shake from that building—a spirit of fear.  
 
Meditation
1 Kings 12:28-30--So the king sought advice. Then he made two golden calves, and he said to the people, “Going to Jerusalem is too difficult for you. Israel, here is your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” He set up one in Bethel, and put the other in Dan. This led to sin; the people walked in procession before one of the calves all the way to Dan.
 
Jeroboam was anointed by God’s prophet, Ahijah, and was given 10 tribes of Israel to rule. If he obeyed God as King David did, he was promised a lasting dynasty. Yet, he feared losing his countrymen’s hearts if they traveled to Judah to offer sacrifices. They might return to serving King Rehoboam. So, he set up idols and established non-Levitical priests. He suggested that travel to Jerusalem was too hard and the trap was set.  Israel never recovered.  They became an idolatrous, wicked nation ruled by rebellious fools.
            
Beware of those who disparage truth.  They will insist on a better way and promise benefits.  But when you see their folly and attempt to resist, they will punish you and make your life miserable. The road to Jerusalem was full of hills. But on that hard road, families could talk about God, appreciate the sacrifice they were making to honor Him, make memories and tell stories.  The Jerusalem road was the way of growth. The difficult journey strengthened obedience and made for joyful worship. 
            
Bad advice is often about control.  It instills fear and causes damage and pain. “Stay home. Don’t congregate. Wear a mask.  Stop using gas. Honor pronouns. Take the shots and do what you’re told, or you will be punished.” How many languishing, anxious people, will keep listening to the wrong authorities? The antidote to bad counsel is rejecting golden calves. Obtain guidance by listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying His prompting. Drive where He leads you. Fellowship with believers!  Show those in bondage what courage looks like and be a blessing. 
 
Inspiration
“No enemy is worse than bad advice.”—Sophocles
 
*Not her real name  
**This could be mysophobia; my words are not meant to be judgmental of her.
 
©2022 Daniel York ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)