WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JUNE 30, 2025
TOPIC: DON’T FOLLOW BAD EXAMPLES
BY T. O. BANSO
“So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach” (Matthew 23:3 New Living Translation).
It is often said that example is better than precept. Examples, good or bad, are very powerful. While one should be careful not to be a bad example to others, one should also be careful not to follow bad examples.
In 2 Chronicles, the Bible shows how King Jehoram of Judah did what was evil in the sight of the LORD; he followed a bad example. 2 Chronicles 21:5-7 says, “Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he had the daughter of Ahab as a wife; and he did evil in the sight of the Lord. Yet the Lord would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever” (New King James Version).
King Jehoram followed the example of the kings of Israel because of a wrong marriage, although he was the king of Judah. The daughter of Ahab, Athaliah, was his wife (verse 6). His mother was Jezebel, the most wicked woman in Israel.
The Bible says of Ahab: “But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up. And he behaved very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel” (1 Kings 21:25-26 New King James Version).
Jehoram followed a bad example. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 21:4 says that when Jehoram had become solidly established as king, he killed his six brothers and some of the other leaders of Israel. For leading the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship idols, just as King Ahab did in Israel, and for killing his brothers, who were better than him, Jehoram didn’t escape God’s judgment.
The prophet Elijah wrote to him, saying, “Thus says the Lord God of your father David: Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot like the harlotry of the house of Ahab, and also have killed your brothers, those of your father’s household, who were better than yourself, behold, the Lord will strike your people with a serious affliction—your children, your wives, and all your possessions; and you will become very sick with a disease of your intestines, until your intestines come out by reason of the sickness, day by day” (2 Chronicles 21:12-15 New King James Version).
Consequently, the LORD stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs, who lived near the Ethiopians, to attack Jehoram. They carried away everything of value in the palace, including his sons and wives. Only his youngest son, Ahaziah, was spared.
Also, Jehoram was afflicted with a severe or incurable intestinal disease that got worse each day for two years. Finally, his bowels came out and he died of severe pain. His people did not hold a great funeral fire to honour him as they had done for his ancestors (verses 14 &18-19). In addition, nobody was sorry for him when he died, and he wasn’t buried in the royal cemetery (verse 20).
Don’t follow bad examples. In Matthew 23, Jesus spoke to the multitudes and His disciples about the scribes and the Pharisees who sat in Moses’ seat – the official interpreters of the Scriptures. Jesus told the multitude to do whatever they told them to observe but they should not follow their example because they did not do what they said. “So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach” (Matthew 23:3 New Living Translation).
Jesus said the scribes and the Pharisees bound heavy burdens, hard to bear, and laid them on men’s shoulders but they would not move them with one of their fingers. He said they did their good deeds so that men would see it. Jesus pointed out all other acts of exhibitionism they engaged in and warned His listeners not to follow their example. They were bad examples. They were hypocrites for not doing what they taught.
Don’t follow bad examples. If you follow a bad example, you may become worse than the person. Be careful; follow a good example. Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (New King James Version). Following their faith means imitating their faith. “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (New International Version). Follow or imitate those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12).
The apostle John says, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, [a]but he who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11 New King James Version). Who are you imitating? What example are you copying? As a minister, student, wife, husband, or whatever you are, know that there are examples around you, but follow only good examples.
The apostle Paul says, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things” (Philippians 3:17-19 New King James Version). Emulate godly examples. Don’t follow the enemies of the cross so that you won’t suffer with them in the end.
Make sure that the examples you’re following are also following Christ. Christ is our perfect example. Don’t follow whoever is not following Christ. Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 New International Version). The New King James Version says, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
Earlier in 1 Corinthians 4:16, Paul urged the Corinthian church to imitate him. If someone is not following Christ, don’t follow him. If he stops following Christ, stop following him. Follow only those who follow Christ. Don’t follow just a human being; follow the Lord first.
Don’t make a sinner your example or role model because he is a celebrity or rich. The end of every sinner is hellfire, whether he is a celebrity or rich. Your boss, trainer, teacher, or anyone you’re under may be a sinner. Learn only the skills or acquire the knowledge you’re expected to get from him, but don’t emulate his sinful lifestyle. Don’t follow bad examples. “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1 New King James Version).
In 1 Thessalonians 1:6a, Paul said the Thessalonians became “followers of us and of the Lord.” (New King James Version). Who are you following? What are you learning from them? Paul said, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9 New King James Version). What are you learning, receiving, and learning? Is it consistent with the Bible? Will it save your soul?
Look at the good example that Paul set for the church: “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate” (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 New International Version). Don’t follow anyone’s example of an un-Christian lifestyle. Let your life comply with the Bible.
Don’t follow bad examples, and don’t be a bad example.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. Take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner, and cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Holy Spirit, help me to practise and obey the Word of God. Let me not just listen to messages or read messages and the Bible without being a doer. Show me good examples to follow; protect me against bad examples. I shall not follow bad examples; I shall follow good examples in Jesus’ name.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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