Memory Verse
"He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly." 2 Chronicles 22:3
BIBLE PASSAGE: Job 2:9-10
INTRODUCTION
People say a lot of things around us and some of the talks could be careless or foolish. They could come as casual talks or counsel. The talks could come from casual friends or even very close relations - 2 Chr. 22: 3. The wife of Job gave birth to ten children and was married for several years. Consider her counsel and her husband's response. Consider how people who are close could give counsels that would affect lives positively or otherwise - 2 Chronicles 10: 10, 11.
OUTLINES
1. NO EXCUSE
2. EXAMPLES OF FOOLISH COUNSELS
3. OUR REACTION.
NO EXCUSE
Note the word "Then" that starts verse 9 of our Bible passage. Remember that Job had lost all and was not in the best position humanly speaking, 'Then …..' Wealth was gone, children (sons and daughters) were dead and Job was afflictedwith boils. What else was left?
Why did his wife give her comments?
Did Job have any reason against God?
Discuss conditions under which people give foolish counsels.
Can there be reasons to justify them?
What is the implication of Job's response?
EXAMPLES OF FOOLISH COUNSELS
It is not good to always think that it is all over. It could mean that our trust and hope in God is over. Consider the result of the spies in Numbers 13:30; 14:1-2. Consider Exodus 14:11-12 and Numbers 20:4-5. Note the result in Numbers 26: 65.
Some examples of foolish counsel in the Bible:
- To sin - 2 Samuel 13:5.
- For popularity - 2 Samuel 16:21.
- Vengeance -1 Samuel 24: 4; Esther 5:14.
- Envy - Esther 3:9; Daniel 6:8.
- Add to the list
- Give some examples of today's foolish talk, "Is death not better ... "
OUR REACTION
Our reaction should be to count our blessings, name them one by one and appreciate God in all situations - 1 Thess. 5:18. Think of God's mercies that cannot be seen but with eternal values - 2 Cor. 4: 15-18. Examples: Salvation which is by grace Eph.2:5
- Provisions in Christ Jesus - Ephesians 1 : 3
- His promise to take you home to be with Him forever-John 14:1-3.
- The unseen battles that He fights (Add to this list).
CONCLUSION
The devil can use our flesh, friends or even people close to us with foolish talks. The devil can drive us into foolish conclusions and even foolish actions. You must remember that your Redeemer lives - Job 19:25 -and that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning - Psalm 30:5.
QUESTIONS
1. What kind of people will influence your lives with their opinions or counsels?
2. Give some examples of wrong counsels.
3. What should be our reactions when things seem not to be working well?
BLESSED WEEK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
MONDAY: Psalm 1:1 - A way out of wrong counsel is to avoid listening to any of it.
TUESDAY: 1 Samuel 24:4 - Refuse to be persuaded by evil counsels.
WEDNESDAY: 2 'samueI13:5 - Beware of your friends because of their counsels.
THURSDAY: Esther 5:4 - Beware of gallows counsel so that you don't become a victim. . .
FRIDAY: 1 Kings 12:28 - Do not accept any counsel to serve just any god.
SATURDAY: Daniel 6:8 - No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
SUNDAY: Mark 6: 24 - Refuse to give the counsel of John the Baptist's head.
