An Old Man’s Advice

“But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him.” If you’re familiar with the story, you know from this point on Rehoboam’s life began falling apart, becoming a shambles.

Even from a young age I have always sought the advice of older men. It never made sense to me to ask someone on the same road as myself what may lie ahead. I figured asking and listening to someone who had been down that road was the smartest thing to do.

If I could advise our younger generation (as well as some of my well-meaning peers), I would counsel them to cease trying to be “Spiritual.” There is nothing more nauseating, I believe, to God and man, than a man or woman who puts on a spiritual air. It seems important for him or her to always be seen as a “spiritual person.” God forbid he or she ever be considered as a human being.

God’s emphasis is on obedience! If one is that, the Spiritual will take care of itself. “To obey is better_____.” And anything you may fill-in the blank with will not suffice. Saul would have come across as “Spiritual” to most today, but not to God. To Him, he was a disobedient rebel! He knew exactly what God required of him, yet attempted with his “spiritual” substitute to buy off the Lord. But the grand old Book still says, “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

If you act “spiritual,” then you’re an actor.