When we listen to the wrong people and heed their counsel, we bring upon ourselves self-induced problems. Who you listen to or refuse to listen to will have everything to do with both your blessings and your cursings.
Rehoboam refused the counsel of the “old men” who were much more experienced and had much more wisdom. Who we listen to does matter, and many of our self-induced trials come because we listen to those who say what we want to hear rather than to those who tell us what we need to hear.
A man came to his pastor for help because he was considering a divorce. The pastor counseled him to stay in the marriage and began to show the man Scriptures which spoke to the issue of marital commitment. He first used Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives.” The man responded by saying, “I don’t love her.” The pastor then turned to John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” The minister noted that they were both Christians and should be able to at least love each other as fellow believers. The husband replied, “We fight all the time. The longer I stay with her the less I like her.” The determined man of God then scrambled to Matthew 22:39, “…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Pleadingly he asked, “Will you at least try loving her as your next door neighbor?” In response the man said, “Pastor, you just don’t understand. We’re not even friends anymore.” The pastor’s face lighted up with relief. “Well, then, I’ve got just the verse you need.” Triumphantly he read Matthew 5:44, “…Love your enemies, …and pray for them which …persecute you;”
This man wasn’t looking for counsel; he was looking for someone to agree with him. People such as this are opening the door for a self-induced trial.
What to do:
✞ If you are looking for someone who agrees with you, then get your counsel from a mirror.
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