What does it mean when the Devil encourages you?
So Jezebel likes your clothes, Ahab likes the way you lead, and Balaam is on your team, what does it mean?
Reading Psalms chapter one, we can understand the answer to this question.
When your loudest advocate and encouragers are Jezebel, Ahab, and Balaam?
If Ahab and Jezebel patted me on the back and said, "Great outfit, great hairdo, great song, great sermon, great lesson.."
Would that encourage me to keep going in that same direction?
Jezebel, the most wicked woman in the Bible, and Ahab, the most wicked man. In the enterprise of wickedness, there is always a religious component to give cover and sanction.
Even today, the most wicked actions have ministers and religious folks applauding and celebrating the events and actions.
With that in mind, listen to the Words of David.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
You are blessed if you don't do things recommended, applauded, and praised by ungodly people.
You are Blessed if you are not acting, dressing, and living your life just like sinners.
You are blessed if you are uncomfortable criticizing those seeking and striving to live a righteous life.
If what you are doing IS praised, celebrated and complimented by people who are "ungodly"... that praise or like is a warning bell from God if you will listen.
Scornful is to wicked what prayerful is to righteous. To ridicule, dismiss, criticize, or diminish righteousness and holiness.
It is a progression...
It starts out... You take the praise of others in your compromise as a confirmation that wrong is right.
Then there is no difference in what you are/ do / value than a sinner.
Then, one begins to criticize, diminish, and minimize those who still live, believe, and do what you used to live, believe, and do.
The sad result is the righteous can become wicked.
Blessed is the man who is not looking for the advice or affirmation of those who don't live for God.
Blessed is the man who is different and distinct from the people in the world.
Blessed is the man who finds himself the target of ridicule and criticism of the wicked/prayerless and worldly lot.
When the wicked, false prophets and those whose only claim to faith is empty talk hate you, consider yourself affirmed.
You can judge yourself.
Look at your timeline on Social media. Who is applauding and praising your place and direction.
Who is liking what you are saying/posting?
Who is agreeing with you?
Who do you sound like?
If the Kardashians think you're hip, the Pope thinks you're holy, and TD Jakes likes your doctrine, consider that a warning.
May we all judge ourselves and repent of every compromise we have allowed. Forgive us for justifying our sin and compromise by being comforted by sinners and compromises.
God have mercy on us all.
I earnestly pray that everyone, the most wicked, the most compromised, the most extravagantly wicked of prodigals, would all forsake their sin and make Jesus their Lord and Saviour.
However, even if they don’t, By God’s Grace, I will live, move, and have my being in Jesus.
My only claim to righteousness is Jesus.
I love him too much to live in the pig pen and blaspheme the blood he shed for me.
That I would listen for His voice for affirmation and praise!
To Hear Him Say, Well Done!
In Him, By Him, Through Him!
Scott A. Phillips