The Trouble with Rose-Colored Glasses

SCRIPTURE: Jer. 40:13-16
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.

¹⁵ Then Johanan son of Kareah said privately to Gedaliah in Mizpah, “Let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life and cause all the Jews who are gathered around you to be scattered and the remnant of Judah to perish?”

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/APPLICATION: Johanan warns Gedaliah that someone he trusts has duplicitous intent and is planning on assassinating him. But Gedaliah refuses to believe it. He is an optimist. His "rose-colored glasses" cost him his life. In general, I believe God wants us to believe the best about people and to be optimistic. But when good people warn about the ill intent of others, I should at least be on my guard and watch them carefully. There are those who for various reasons want to cause division or curry favor with some who are in authority. They think the way to get what they want is to "depose" any who are in their way through character assassination. It is wise to listen to the warning of others who come to tell you that a particular person does not have your back.

PRAYER: Father, help me to have wisdom and discernment with others. May I heed Your warnings about others who would cause destruction to the Body of Christ. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.