Joel M Bradshaw

2Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri. 3He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly. 4He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done. For after the death of his father they were his counselors, to his undoing.–2 Chronicles 22

1. Ahaziah became a young king under stressful circumstances.
2. So his mother Athaliah assumed a role of key influence in his life.
3. But she was wicked, and she led her son into wickedness.
4. In fact, it seems that Athaziah had many counselors who guided him into disaster and moral depravity.
5. I am a biblical counselor and a pastor, and frequently am asked for guidance.
6. I have to offer the wisdom of the Bible and how Scripture has shaped my choices over my life experiences. I don’t step outside of that. I am careful that my counsel is biblical.
7. Who do you influence? How do you influence them? What influencers do you surround yourself with? What standards do they use? These are big questions that Ahaziah should have paid more attention to!–JMB