NEGATIVE EXAMPLES

“31. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. 32. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.” (1 Kings 16: 31-32)

That is the Focal Scripture of Streams of Joy Devotional today.

Our Focal Scripture speaks of how Ahab walked in the sins of Jeroboam. Jeroboam set up satanic altars in Bethel. Jeroboam became such a negative example of how to be an evil king; he became an example of the king that caused Israel to sin against God. After Jeroboam, kings who were inclined to sin and idolatry were famously referred to as walking in the sin of Jeroboam. Ahab became king, and he chose the path of Jeroboam.

Friend, in 2026 and beyond, be intentional not to follow negative examples. Don’t follow the example of those who are not doing well. Don’t follow the example of those who cannot be trusted. Don’t follow the example of those who treat people poorly. Don’t follow the example of those who set the wrong standards for others to follow. Don’t follow the example of unrighteousness around you. Don’t walk the path of the ‘Jeroboams’.

Jeroboam did not just sin against God; he caused Israel to sin against God; worse still, he became the beginning of the long list of kings of Israel who sinned against God via idolatry. He became that example that was followed by all his successors, until Ahab showed up and broke his record. May it never be said that you became such a bad example that everyone coming after you chose to follow. May you not birth negative patterns.

Notice that in 1 Kings 14 vs. 10, God promised to wipe out the lineage of Jeroboam. Several kings after Jeroboam, including Ahab, who led Israel to sin, also suffered the same fate. If you keep following ‘Jeroboam’ examples, what happened to ‘Jeroboam’ may happen to you. If you keep setting the pace for others to do wrong, God might end up using you to set an example of how He would respond when they follow your bad example.

Look around to discern those who are examples that are worth replicating. Follow the example of righteousness, dedication, excellence, great work ethics, etc. Follow examples that will lead you forward. Don’t follow negative examples. Don’t be a negative example.

1 Timothy 4: 12 says: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Declare With Me: I will not be a negative example; I will not follow negative examples, in Jesus’ name!

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