Good Advice From A Bad Source?

John 7:3 – Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do.

John 7:4 – No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”

John 7:5 – For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

John 7:6 – Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do.

Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him. Jesus’ brothers were not fully supportive of His ministry. Jesus’ brothers therefore could not be a source of good advice for Him.

Our text tells us that, the brothers of Jesus advised Him to go to Jerusalem and publicize His ministry. They gave Him good advice that He can’t be a public figure who operates secretly. They told Him that a public figure must do things publicly so that His disciples gain confidence. They encouraged Him to operate publicly!

The writer notes that this good advice was coming from a bad source. The good advice was coming from people who didn’t wish Jesus well. The good advice was coming from people who were closest to Jesus but doubted Him. Good advice from a bad source.

The Bible tells us today that Jesus rejected that advice. You cannot have good advice from a bad source. Jesus told them that His time to go public had not come therefore He will not go public.

Later on Jesus followed them to Jerusalem. Jesus operated on His own terms. He first rejected advice and guidance from a bad source and the. he acted independently. There is no good advice that comes from a bad source!

We can learn lessons from bad people. Lessons are observations we make and conclusions we draw for ourselves. Advice is guidance on how to move. We can learn from a bad source but we cannot be guided and advised by it. There is no good advice that comes from a bad source!

Acts 17:28 – ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

Titus 1:12-13 – One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith

We can derive lessons from bad sources. Apostle Paul cited Athenian literature. That literature cannot be a source of advice and guidance, yet that literature is a source of good lessons and even illustrations. Apostle Paul also cited to Titus about the Cretan people that Titus was dealing with. The citation is a good lesson, but the cited Cretan prophet cannot be the advisor and guide of a believer. Therefore it remains true that a bad source cannot give good advice!

As a leader, are you getting good advice from a bad source? What books are you reading? What voices are you listening to? There is no good advice that comes from a bad source!

Which people are advising you about your relationship? They may be your friends, but are they in good relationships? Are they secretly envious? Are they in relationships that you will want your relationship to be like? There is no good advice that comes from a bad source!

Are your friends and confidants of the same faith? Do they share your values and reverence for the things of God. As they influence your choices daily are they taking you in the right direction? There is no good advice that comes from a bad source!

Imagine getting into a project and the people guiding you have never tried it. If they doubt it. You will learn the hard way. There is no good advice that comes from a bad source!

Are you guided by musicians? Are you guided by politicians? Are you guided by movies? Are you guided by religious extremists with a shady reputation? There is no good advice that comes from a bad source!

Someone you know will only know about this article if you share with them. Someone you know needs this article. Share this with one more person. Don’t copy the text. Copy THE LINK or send the website address which is reikesis.com so that they too read the word of God FROM THE WEBSITE and access more. YOU CAN COMMENT on this article at the bottom of the article. Also remember this author has a YouTube channel @ReiKesis which has hundreds of videos for you! Thanks for your loyal support of this ministry!