What Are You Following?

Rehoboam and Jeroboam teach us that wrong voices, fear, and counterfeit sources of peace can pull our hearts away from God.

Scripture:
“But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him.” — 1 Kings 12:8

“And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David.” — 1 Kings 12:26

Quote:
President Russell M. Nelson asked:
“Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life?”

Reflection:
Your heart is always following something.

In 1 Kings 12, Rehoboam had a choice to make. The people asked him to lighten their burdens. First, he listened to older, wiser men who encouraged him to serve the people and speak kindly to them. But then he listened to younger voices that fed his pride and told him to be harsh.

Rehoboam followed the wrong voices, and his choice divided a kingdom.

Jeroboam followed something too. He followed fear. He was afraid that if the people returned to Jerusalem to worship at the temple, their hearts would turn back to Judah. So he created counterfeit worship. He set up golden calves and gave the people a more convenient version of religion that pulled their hearts away from God.

Most teens today are not tempted to bow down to golden calves, but we are all tempted to follow things that can slowly take God’s place in our hearts.

We can follow popularity.
We can follow social media.
We can follow fear.
We can follow comfort.
We can follow approval.
We can follow comparison.
We can follow a relationship, a habit, an image, or a desire to fit in.

The danger is that these things do not always feel wrong at first. Sometimes they just feel normal. Convenient. Popular. Easy. But over time, whatever we follow begins to shape who we become.

Jesus Christ invites us to follow Him because He is the only one who can truly give us identity, peace, direction, forgiveness, and lasting joy. Other things may promise those blessings, but only Christ can actually give them.

So today, ask yourself honestly:

What am I really following?

Today’s Challenge:
Choose one voice, habit, app, relationship, fear, or influence in your life and ask: Is this leading me closer to Jesus Christ or pulling me away from Him?

Then make one small change that helps your heart follow Him more fully.

For more Come Follow Me devotionals and teen study helps, visit:
https://joshdowns.com/cfm-resources