Sometimes I don’t want advice. On numerous occasions, I’ve poured out my heart to my husband and he has responded with sound counsel. But what he doesn’t always understand is that I simply want to share my thoughts with him. I don’t want answers. Acting as if I’m all ears, I listen only to see if he’ll say what I want to hear. Although I want godly counsel, because it’s both necessary and fruitful, I don’t always want to hear the truth. In those times, there’s nothing wrong with my ears—but my heart is another matter . . .
New in the position as king, Rehoboam wanted to meet the people’s needs. But he didn’t understand the purpose of godly counsel. Feeding his (and their own) need for power, his friends advised him into actions that cost him the support of the people and the majority of his kingdom (1 Kings 12:8). Learning too late that popularity with his peers didn’t equate with wisdom, Rehoboam chose to follow the proud motives of his own heart and the poor advice of his friends. Sadly, the desire for sound judgment by Solomon (his father), hadn’t been transferred to Rehoboam (1 Kings 3:7-9).
Looking for others to validate us in our hard-headedness will do little more than lead us to ruin. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble,” while Proverbs 15:31 reminds us, “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.”
When it comes to seeking advice, we should prayerfully consider: where we seek counsel (Psalms 101:6, 119:24), how we seek counsel (James 1:5-6); and why we seek counsel (Isaiah 55:6-11).
God stands ready to reveal His wisdom to us. It’s up to us to make sure our hearts are ready to hear.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 14:1-28
More:
Read Proverbs 11:14, 15:22, and 24:6 to see the value in seeking counsel from wise sources.
Next:
Whom do you most often seek out for advice? Does this individual give you godly counsel? What makes for counsel that is truly wise?
jstabel on October 29, 2011 at 2:12 am
What really counts as wise counsel -is it when its given by church leaders(Pastor inclusive)?…The Bible still stands as the best counsellor via the holy spirit we could ever need.
regina franklin on November 19, 2011 at 10:11 am
Dear jstabel,
Without question, we are to go to the Word first (and be led by the Holy Spirit) as we seek wisdom in our lives.
However, I know there are times when I have wanted to interpret scripture according to the leanings of my own heart or emotions. Or because of my own confusion, I have been “double-minded” in what I think I should do. It’s in these times that we need to surround ourselves with godly counsel.
Biblical wisdom doesn’t rest in the hands of pastors alone, but God can often use those in leadership to speak into our lives. Most importantly, we should seek counsel from those who are following Christ themselves (in action as well as in speech) and whose counsel lines up with the Word.
winn collier on October 30, 2011 at 12:16 am
I think you’ve really hit on something when you talk about waiting for others validation. Always a dead-end road.