Session 24

What happens when you ignore God’s advice

From 2 Chronicles: A 28-Day Devotional

Did you ever give good advice to people who ignored it and made a disastrous choice? It can leave you wondering why they even bothered to ask.

We get frustrated when others ignore our wisdom, but have you ever thought about how often we do that to God? No one gives better guidance than God, and yet we all, at times, ignore what He says.

In 2 Chronicles 17 and 2 Chronicles 18, King Ahab of Israel habitually ignores God's advice. Ahab decides he wants to go to war against Ramoth Gilead. In Ahab’s opinion, victory is certain if King Jehoshaphat joins him. Jehoshaphat is willing to help, but not before getting God's opinion.

Ahab produces 400 so-called prophets who predict victory. Only one prophet truly speaks for God, however, and he warns them that Ahab will die if they go to war. The kings ignore God's warning and Ahab dies on the first day of battle.

Like Ahab, when we ignore God’s counsel it always leads to destruction. Giving full vent to our anger can destroy relationships (Proverbs 29:11). Not managing money well can destroy our finances (Luke 16:10). And living without integrity can destroy our careers (Proverbs 10:9).

Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." God's advice is right 100 percent of the time. When we disagree with what God says in the Bible, we are the ones who need to change.

Reflect:

• When was the last time you did something you knew went against God's advice? What happened?
• What’s one decision you could use God’s advice on today?