Title: Too Much Positive Thinking / Topic: Wisdom

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 40; Jeremiah 41; Revelation 12

Scripture: Jeremiah 40:13-14, 16
13 Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers still in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah 14 and said to him, "Don't you know that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to take your life?" But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them.
16 But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, "Don't do such a thing! What you are saying about Ishmael is not true."

Observation: Gedaliah gets some secret intelligence from a trusted friend that could save his life, but he refuses to listen to and heed it. Why? I believe Gedaliah was a very nice man who wanted to believe the best about everybody. In general, that's a good thing to do. But there is a kind of "positive thinking" widely taught today (but which has been around a long time) that is out of balance. It denies the existence of evil motivation in people. This thinking promotes the idea that human nature is good and is only corrupted by environmental factors. If we only "think positive" about everyone and treat them with kindness then any bad influences on them will be overcome with good. Gedaliah demonstrates this thinking in response to his friend's warning about Ishmael, who wanted to kill him. His positive thinking cost him his life.

Application: I want to think positively, as the Bible teaches I should (Philippians 4:8 ), but I want to also think using discernment and a balanced view of truth. The Bible teaches that evil resides in the heart of every man. Positive thinking and being kind cannot drive it out of others. I am to be kind because it's the right thing to do but I must also listen to warnings and at least be careful and watchful when I get them (Matthew 10:16 ). Just because someone has been a friend (like Ishmael was to Gedaliah) doesn't mean they can't be enticed to sin by the enemy. We need to be positive aout people but also have the attitude of Jesus, who, the Bible tells us, didn't entrust himself to any man because he knew what was in the heart of a man (John 2:23-25 ).

Prayer: Give me wisdom Lord! I need your Holy Spirit to give me discernment into men's hearts, for you alone know their true motives. I want to believe for the best in people and to be positive but to also have that attitude tempered by truth. Thank you for guiding me. Let me be a person of integrity that others can trust. I want to be led by your Spirit in all my words, actions and attitudes.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.