One of my favorite books on writing is Writing for the Soul by Jerry Jenkins. In his book Jerry gives some excellent advice for Christian writers. For example, “We can’t write for other people’s souls unless ours are healthy.” Or how about this gem: “No writer ever arrives.” Jerry also advises, “Allow yourself to be moved, and write what moves you.” As an inexperienced writer I read this book closely and tried to follow Jerry’s advice.
Counsel from an experienced person is always helpful, especially when we’re taking on a new challenge.
Rehoboam needed some good advice from his father Solomon’s counselors when he became Israel’s new king. The Israelites were asking him to lighten the existing “labor demands and heavy taxes” (2 Chronicles 10:4), and the older, wiser men recommended, “If you are good to these people and . . . give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects” (2 Chronicles 10:7). This advice reflected several principles of godly wisdom—it was peaceable, gentle, willing to yield to others, sincere and impartial (James 3:17).
Still scratching his head about what to do, Rehoboam decided to ask some younger men—his mates (who also doubled as his royal advisors). These men labeled the Israelites as whiners and told Rehoboam to make life even tougher for his subjects. They suggested he say: “My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions” (2 Chronicles 10:11). Sadly, Rehoboam “followed the counsel of his younger advisors” (2 Chronicles 10:13-14).
This story proves that not all advice is good advice. Maybe today you’re facing a challenge and wondering, What should I do? If so, look for advice from an experienced person. Compare what you hear with what the Bible says about wisdom from above. Pray for direction and then, when the time is right, act on the sensible counsel you have received.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 5:1-47
More:
Read Exodus 18:23-24 to see an example of good counsel. Read Ecclesiastes 4:13-15 to see how listening to advice may have a positive outcome.
Next:
Why do we sometimes refuse to listen to good advice? Why is it unwise to merely have someone tell you what you want to hear?
tom felten on June 26, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Godly, wise counsel is priceless! Thanks for these insights, Jennifer.
jennifer benson schuldt on June 26, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Thanks Tom!
conmeo on June 26, 2012 at 11:46 pm
That it is. Pray for me I. Asked for this and am waiting
winn collier on June 27, 2012 at 7:42 am
It’s wonderful when you can also be married to one of your wise advisors. I am.
shaleenareid on July 1, 2012 at 8:45 am
Life would be much better if we always looked to the wise advice and followed it. Sometimes the wise advice is not what we want to hear or do. So we choose otherwise. That is not good. It opens us up to bad things happening from bad choices.
jennifer benson schuldt on July 9, 2012 at 3:45 pm
shaleenareid,
That is so true. A pastor once said, “Choose to sin, choose to suffer.” If only we could see past what looks good in the moment and see the consequences that follow bad decisions. We might choose to honor the LORD more consistently. Thanks so much for your comment.