To what should I not listen?

Genesis 3:6The woman . . . saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

Matthew 6:13“And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”

We must not listen to anyone who tempts us to disobey God.

Leviticus 19:16“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.”

We must not spread slanderous gossip in our families and communities.

Proverbs 26:20Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

We must not listen to or spread gossip, which provides fuel for destructive fires in any community. We can snuff out such fires by changing the subject or directly confronting those spreading the gossip.

Proverbs 12:18Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

We must not make remarks that demean and bully others.

Mark 13:21-23“If anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!”

John 10:2, 4-5“The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. . . . After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

We must not allow ourselves to be drawn into false teaching. The more we learn to recognize God’s voice through prayer and studying his word, the better we will recognize false teaching when it arises.

Ephesians 5:4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

We should not listen to insults and off-color comments. They are not consistent with godly living.

Proverbs 13:5The godly hate lies; the wicked cause shame and disgrace.

Proverbs 29:5To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet.

We should avoid listening to flattery. Sometimes, a lie can be quite attractive. Lies and flattery may be exactly what we want to hear, but they often lead us into foolish, prideful, and sinful behavior.

Isaiah 8:19Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?

Jeremiah 23:16This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to his people: “Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the Lord!”

1 Corinthians 15:33Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

We shouldn’t listen to people who oppose God, which includes false prophets, those involved in the occult, those who love evil, and those who try to turn us from God.