Monday, June 23rd, 2008 by Randy

TITLE:
“Oh be careful little ears what you hear.”

SCRIPTURE:
He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father's death they became his advisers, to his undoing. 2 Chronicles 22:4 (NIV)

OBSERVATION:
No one would argue that advice is a good thing. Over and over the Bible says to seek the counsel of others. In Proverbs 15:22 it says, “Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.” But the key word with that instruction is “good” counsel. Advice is only as good as its source. In today’s reading, we find that King Ahaziah had plenty advisers around him. They led him to “his undoing.” Ahaziah probably thought these advisers were trustworthy and insightful. After all, no one willingly takes bad advice. How wrong he was! The Bible warns us to "test everything.... Hold on to what is good" ( 1Th 5:21 ). We should always check out what people say with what the Bible says. We are on dangerous ground if we accept counsel without checking it out first!!

APPLICATION:
As a kid we used to sing a song that had this line in it, “Oh be careful little ears what you hear.” I think we all need to heed this advice. Don’t make life decisions or assumptions just because you “hear it” from someone. Be careful! Check it out! This past month God has reminded me about the importance of wise and godly counsel. I have made a commitment to never make a major decision without it. The fact is, there is lots of lousy advice givers out there. Everyone has an opinion. However, I need to always look to God’s word and verify the truth by God’s standards and not my own.

PRAYER:
Father, thanks again for teaching me the importance to watch the words of others. Help me to be discerning and careful to whom I listen to. I want to hear from you and want your best. Please give me your guidance and wisdom, even this week, I seek to serve You. AMEN.