RPG Adults
PERSPECTIVES FOR SUCCESSFUL SERVICE (VIII)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Nehemiah 6:10-14
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
“…was he hired,
that I should be afraid,
and do so, and sin.”
PERSPECTIVES FOR SUCCESSFUL SERVICE (VIII)
Ungodly counsel may be disguised as friendly and brotherly concern as in the case of Shemaiah. The Bible is replete with accounts of those who were destroyed by the counsel of friends who offered ungodly advice and solutions. From Amnon who listened to his friend Jonadab and paid with his life, to Rehoboam who saw the kingdom divided because of one wrong decision. The Bible plainly warns in Proverbs 1:10 that “if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” The responsibility is on us to make right and godly decisions, even if it is made under the influence of others. We have to discern whose voice it is that we give heed to.
And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him (Neh 6:12). The call to be vigilant to test the spirits to see whether they are from God is given for the safety of God’s children in light of the danger that abounds. Nehemiah was able to see and discern truth from error since the advice given by Shemaiah was unbiblical. The Scriptures provide the rule and standard for what we must believe and how we are to live our lives. Moses had instructed that whatever we hear should be consistent with what God has revealed, and any prophet who would lead God’s people into disobedience to God’s revealed will, even if he supported his claims with signs and wonders, was to be put to death. Shemaiah’s counsel was not from God as it would lead Nehemiah to sin and be a snare and “an evil report” against him. In heeding Shemaiah’s advice, Nehemiah would have been guilty of fear both before the people and his own conscience. It would also raise suspicions as to the veracity of the accusations of rebellion and intent of setting himself up as king in Jerusalem. In addition, the act of hiding in the temple itself would have been a trespass as it was forbidden for “the stranger” or unauthorised persons to intrude into that which was set aside for the sons of Aaron (Num 18:7). Nehemiah was baited to sin. Thank God he saw through it. We must always be diligent to perform our duty and fulfil our responsibility. Like the Bereans, we must search the Scriptures daily and confirm “whether those things were so” which are told to us. This is that we may not, “being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness” (2 Pet 3:17).
THOUGHT: (Read 1 John 4:1-3.)
PRAYER: Grant me, Father, wisdom and discernment for service.