Success

So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.
2 Samuel 16:22-23 (ESV)

Treating anyone as if their counsel was the counsel of God will get you into trouble. Rhetoric can be eloquent and deceptive. Eloquence can never be the criterion for truth. Not only that, but when we have advisors who tell us what we want to hear, they are not advisors but pawns.
Absalom was willing to destroy lives to gain the life for which he longed. He was not satisfied with being the king's son; he needed to be the king. This perverted desire was fueled by his good looks, his access to people in high places, and his fleshly desires for significance and security.

Success is dying to self, not destroying others. Greatness is measured by how much we have helped others succeed, not by how much we focused on ourselves.




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