Proper Advice

“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,” says the LORD. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.”

Isaiah 30:1

TO WHOM DO YOU GO TO for advice and counsel when making big decisions at work or in your personal life? If you’re like most men, you go to someone with expertise, whom you respect and who has experience in situations and environments like yours. These are all great qualifications for someone we would take advice from, but there are two more criteria we should include on our list: whether our counselors have an active relationship with God and whether they have a discipline of seeking God in their decisions. When we leave God out of the picture, we’re asking for trouble.

Proverbs is full of warnings against relying on human wisdom. Not only might we find ourselves on the wrong path, we very likely will find ourselves moving with the wrong motivation. Thankfully, Scripture also shows us how to recognize true wisdom and gives great assurance to those who pursue it. The next time you want to seek advice on a matter, make sure you find someone whom you can trust to pray with you over the decision and then seek God’s wisdom with you. Whatever choices you might be required to make in the course of a day, God has a particular one in mind for you. You may well miss that option if you’re not seeking Him yourself and if you’re using society’s definition of “wise counsel” instead of God’s.

BOTTOM LINE

Be deliberate about seeking advice from those you can trust. Ask them to pray with you about the matter. Let God direct you with His wisdom.

Moment of Strength: James 3:13-18