He told them, ‘Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.
2 Chronicles 19:6 (NIV)
Read: 2 Chronicles 19
Consider: Jehoshaphat appointed judges in the cities throughout Judah, with the mandate to hear and decide upon legal disputes. Having followed God himself, he wanted to be sure that the judges would decide fairly and without partiality. His advice is twofold:
- ‘… you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord …’ (19:6);
- ‘In every case that comes before you … you are to warn them not to sin against the LORD …’ (19:10)
Jehoshaphat wanted those he appointed to realise that while he, the king, had appointed them, they were actually God’s representatives when settling disputes.
Secondly, Jehoshaphat didn’t want the judges to see the cases brought before them in purely secular terms. He asked the judges to warn the people not to sin against God. To Jehpshaphat a person’s secular life and spiritual life were inextricably interwoven.
Not many of us will be asked to judge cases, but many of us will be asked by fellow Christians for advice on secular and spiritual matters. In any of these situations, the correct thing to do in giving the advice must be to follow Biblical principles and to remind those involved to seek and to follow God’s will.
Are you being asked for advice on some major decision in someone’s life? If so, my advice would be to ‘consider carefully what you do’, or say. Remember that ultimately you are answerable to God and he wants you not to be influenced by worldly opinion or values, but to point those around you to him.
Pray: Lord, it is a awesome responsibility when someone asks for advice. May we represent you faithfully, pointing people to the Bible for clear guidance on the issue in question. Amen
Every blessing
No Condemnation 
