2 Chronicles 18:1-3; 20:35-37
There is a phrase that describes Jehoshaphat at this time of his life. Growing greater doesn’t mean you are growing wiser. As Jehoshaphat’s kingdom grew, fame grew, and his wealth and power grew, he was not growing wiser. Great blessings from God and yet he is using less godly wisdom. Jehoshaphat has been following God and rejecting idol worship in Judah. He has managed the conflict with Israel very well. He has sent prophets out across Judah to teach God’s word, fortified the border cities to keep King Ahab at bay, and let peace come to both Judah and Israel. Things were going well. God was blessing his efforts and then King Jehoshaphat made a grave mistake. A small concession with designs to help with the greater good of his country. This mistake is to visit and build an alliance with the evil King Ahab of Israel. King Jehoshaphat marries his son to Ahab’s daughter to strengthen the alliance, probably with thoughts of reuniting the country. All this was against God’s counsel.
Bad company rarely pulls you down all at once, it pulls you down one compromise at a time. Small compromises in my journey of faith will pull me away from God. These compromises often start with the questionable company we may keep. We may have long standing friendships that when you get together, compromises happen. Just this “one time” or “YOLO”, they will say as they tempt you to sin. You may think you are influencing them but more likely your standards are being revised downward.
King Jehoshaphat made small compromises that led to huge failures in his life and the country’s future. He would join Ahab in a futile war that would cost Ahab his life. When King Jehoshaphat died his oldest son took power and killed all his brothers. The marriage alliance with King Ahab’s daughter and Jehoshaphat’s son, produced idol worship across Judah. The company you keep can strengthen your character or slowly reshape it into a weaker state. Jehoshaphat’s compromises caused by the bad company he kept, caused all that was important to him to be hurt - His sons, his faith in God and his kingdom all was lost or suffered terrible harm as a direct result of ungodly choices. We can learn from this example and examine the good and bad relationships that we may have. The book of Psalms opens with this: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but delights in the law.” (ESV). When we were kids, our parents warned us about certain friends that were trouble. Looking back, we realize they were right. These “friends” often led us into trouble or wrongdoing. We must guard against those who occupy our time. Are they good influencers or troublemakers? “Do not be deceived: bad company ruins good morals,” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV). We know better, now we must act better and remove the bad influences in our lives. Take steps to limit the influence bad actors may have over your life. It’s your choice: wisdom or folly. Choose wisely.
Bad company rarely pulls you down all at once, it pulls you down one compromise at a time. Small compromises in my journey of faith will pull me away from God. These compromises often start with the questionable company we may keep. We may have long standing friendships that when you get together, compromises happen. Just this “one time” or “YOLO”, they will say as they tempt you to sin. You may think you are influencing them but more likely your standards are being revised downward.
King Jehoshaphat made small compromises that led to huge failures in his life and the country’s future. He would join Ahab in a futile war that would cost Ahab his life. When King Jehoshaphat died his oldest son took power and killed all his brothers. The marriage alliance with King Ahab’s daughter and Jehoshaphat’s son, produced idol worship across Judah. The company you keep can strengthen your character or slowly reshape it into a weaker state. Jehoshaphat’s compromises caused by the bad company he kept, caused all that was important to him to be hurt - His sons, his faith in God and his kingdom all was lost or suffered terrible harm as a direct result of ungodly choices. We can learn from this example and examine the good and bad relationships that we may have. The book of Psalms opens with this: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but delights in the law.” (ESV). When we were kids, our parents warned us about certain friends that were trouble. Looking back, we realize they were right. These “friends” often led us into trouble or wrongdoing. We must guard against those who occupy our time. Are they good influencers or troublemakers? “Do not be deceived: bad company ruins good morals,” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV). We know better, now we must act better and remove the bad influences in our lives. Take steps to limit the influence bad actors may have over your life. It’s your choice: wisdom or folly. Choose wisely.
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