Listen only to godly counsel.

Scripture:
2 Samuel 16:23 “Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.”

Observation:
David was on the run avoiding his son Absalom, who wanted to overthrow his father and even kill him. Among his trusted advisers was Ahithophel. David listened to the counsel of this man, but this man turned against David and joined forces with Absalom. Ahithophel tried to get Absalom to attack his father’s forces and destroy him, but one of Absalom’s men warned against doing so. He knew that David and his men were skilled fighters and were capable of defeating their troops. Thus, he avoided the counsel of Ahithophel this time. However, the Bible tells us that at some point in time both David and Absalom trusted in his counsel as if he were one of the prophets or oracles of God.

Application:
We must be very astute from whom we take counsel. There are many people claiming to hear from God and have the “right” answer, but in fact, they are false prophets or outright liars. David and his son trusted one among their counselors as if he heard directly from God. It is rather ironic that David would trust this man especially given the fact that David was known as a man of prayer who regularly sought God’s counsel. Solomon would later teach us, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Pr. 15:22). The caution here though is making sure we have sought God about who we include in our circle of advisers.

David and Absalom learned the hard way unfortunately about trusting in this man and even more in regarding him as one who inquired of God. Later in the story we read that Ahithophel failed to accomplish his mission and became frustrated that his plans fell through. He then went to his house, got everything in order, and committed suicide. He rejected God by taking his life and not trusting God to redeem him and change things. Instead he saw death as the only escape because he was a traitor to the king and was unable to convince Absalom to destroy his father and assume the throne.

Many people love to tell others what to do. They even proclaim to have the answers – even the answer from God. Scripture tells us that Ahithophel advised “like that of one who [inquired] of God,” but it does not say he actually inquired of God. No record is given that he ever prayed to God to seek his counsel. What we do read is that he gave advice, most likely his advice, while proclaiming to have heard from God. Much conflict in churches today could be avoided if people who claim to hear from God and don’t would shut up, sit down, ask for God’s forgiveness, and actually spend time in prayer with God. People who operate in the supernatural but don’t show fruit worthy of repentance and fruit of the Spirit should be watched cautiously. They may even prophecy for God, but their words should be tried and tested. The result of the prophecy should be evidenced sometime; otherwise they are a false prophet. Don’t be fooled by people who spout off “this answer is from God” while one’s life shows proof to the contrary.

Prayer:
Father, you have chosen in your infinite wisdom to bless me with the gift of prophecy. I have spoken in your name to people both corporately and individually. I desire to have the fruit of your Spirit seen by others growing in me and blossoming out of me toward others. I don’t want my words to ever be substituted for your words. If and when I speak for you, never let the words be anything but yours. Help me to grow in you and spend more time in prayer with you. I know that prayer is the only way, outside of your Word, that I will ever get to know you. I must devote more of me to time in prayer. It is the foundation on which my life in you is based. Jesus made prayer his top priority in life and would even separate himself from everyone else to spend quality time with you. Help me to make prayer the foundation of my life. I need your grace in this area. There is no excuse for my prayer life. It needs to and must grow. Increase my faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.