Show me your friends…

‘ Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm’ – Proverbs 13:20

“Whatever the fire brigade said, we would leave a burning building, it seems the common sense thing to do”. As the first phase of the much anticipated inquiry into the Grenfell Tower was published earlier this month, many have lent their voices to the conclusions of the inquiry and one such voice is Conservative candidate, Jacob-Rees Mogg. The Grenfell Tower fire saw 72 people killed when a fire broke out on the night of 14th June 2017.

These comments came after he appeared on LBC stating that “The more one’s read over the weekend about the report and about the chances of people surviving, if you just ignore what you’re told and leave you are so much safer”. Amid backlash and criticism, notably from UK rapper Stormzy, who continues to fight for the injustices of Grenfell, Jacob Rees Mogg has apologized. As we head towards the end of the month, have you been given ill advice which has led to the detriment of your welfare, businesses or relationships?

We live in times where we are constantly inundated with information from all over. We are being exposed to different levels and understandings of information, and due to the complexities of what we face every day, it is easier for us to seek advice – but where do we seek advice from? 2 Samuel 13 and its following chapters, speaks of a man called Absalom who the bible describes as more handsome in appearance, and was the third son of King David. Absalom had everything going for him and he was ‘living his best life’. However an event forever changed his path.

His half brother Amnon fell in love with his sister Tamar who was a virgin and raped her, rejecting her disgracefully. Absalom heard of this and protected Tamar in his home for two years, not saying anything to anyone. He expected his father David who had also heard about what happened, to take action. He expected that David would possibly kill Amnon, but David did nothing, As anger seethed and brewed in Absalom, he conspired to take revenge and killed his brother.

But where the trajectory of Absalom’s life becomes even more detrimental, is when he sought advice from his counsel Ahithopel whose advice was regarded as ‘like that of one who inquires of God’ (2 Samuel 16:23). Ahithopel told Absalom to not only “sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace” (2 Samuel 16:21), but also to “…attack [David] while he is weary and weak…and strike down…the king” (2 Samuel 17:2). This seemed a good plan, and Absalom went ahead with it. He was eventually killed by David’s troops.

The people we seek and surround ourselves with are very important to our success. Absalom sought advice from people who had their own agenda and this led to his downfall. As children of God, we have called to be a light and this means that we not only have a responsibility to give good advice, but to also surround ourselves with those who sharpen us.

So as we head into the last days of November, seek the kingdom of God in all areas of your life. God knows your beginning from your end and will never lead you astray.