The apostle Paul asked the Galatian church, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth” (Gal. 5:7)? That same question could be asked of Joash, king of Judah. Joash became king of Judah at the tender age of seven. As long as he listened to the godly counsel of Jehoiada, he did well. The two of them spearheaded the restoration of the long-neglected Temple.
But when Jehoiada passed away, Joash was influenced by the other leaders of Judah to worship idols. “Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear” (2 Chr. 24:17-19).
Joash was too easily influenced by others. He reminds me of Mr. Pliable from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Pliable was interested Christian’s journey toward the Wicket-Gate, but as soon as things went awry, Pliable went back to his old way of life. Too many people are like Mr. Pliable, and Joash, they are easily influenced. Some are so pliable that they can be fashioned into anything, they will adapt to any group of people they are around. They’ll say or do anything to be accepted.
Sadly, there are Christians who will compromise convictions and doctrine to be acknowledged or considered popular. They will deviate from the exclusivity of the Christian message; they will bend their convictions of holiness to be accepted by the world; and they will assail doctrinal truths to be considered more tolerant. But if you get them around a different set of people, they will embrace whatever doctrines and values that that particular group holds. Paul says such people are not rooted in truth, and consequently are tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14).
Beloved, there is safety in a multitude of counselors, but let us make sure we are listening to godly counsel (Pro. 14:11), and not that which will lead us away from truth.