Question 1

Do I need advice from others? Why can’t I just rely on my own wisdom?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 13:14The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.Proverbs 15:22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.Proverbs 19:20Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.Proverbs 20:18Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.Good advisors bring perspective, new information, expertise, accountability, and experience to whatever challenges and problems we face. No one is wise enough to anticipate all the possibilities of a situation, or to grasp all the issues related to a problem. The most experienced person in a particular area has still experienced only a tiny sliver of all there is to know about that area. The right counsel can make the difference between success and failure, joy and sorrow, prosperity and poverty, victory and defeat.Proverbs 12:15Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.Romans 12:3Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.Wisdom is recognizing our own inadequacies; foolishness is thinking we have few or none. It is better to recognize our limitations and seek good counsel at the beginning than to discover how our limitations have made our problem worse after it is too late. Avoid getting into a position where you say to yourself, “If only I had asked someone sooner.”Proverbs 25:11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.Timely advice is not merely helpful; it is beautiful and essential because it comes just when we need it. Having a godly counselor to coach us in our time of need is a blessing because it helps us avoid pain and heartache.Proverbs 20:15Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.Proverbs 25:12To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.Wise advice is both rare and valuable.

Question 2

Where do I look for good advice?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 37:30The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong.Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.1 Corinthians 12:8To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.Colossians 3:16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.Titus 1:15Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure.Seek advice from God through prayer and reading his Word, the Bible. Next seek advice from godly people who have proven themselves to be discerning, honest, and trustworthy. They can be counted on to give counsel that comes from God’s Word.Exodus 17:4Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!”1 Samuel 8:6Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance.1 Kings 22:5Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.”Job 12:13“True wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.”Psalm 32:8The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”Psalm 73:24You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.Come to God honestly seeking his advice.Psalm 119:24Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.Psalm 119:105Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.Look for God’s advice in his Word. It is the manual for divine wisdom, and it’s fully available to you.Isaiah 9:6A child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Isaiah 11:2The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.John 14:16“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.”John 14:26“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”John 15:26“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.”John 16:13“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”God gave us his Son to show us what is true; both Jesus’ life and words counsel us. God also gave us his Holy Spirit, who is called “the Counselor.” If you are a follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit literally lives in you to give you wisdom and to guide you in any circumstance.Psalm 16:7I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.Proverbs 20:5Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.Romans 14:1-3, 14Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. . . . I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong.1 Timothy 1:19Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.Titus 1:15Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.Our own conscience can be a source of good counsel to warn us of wrong as long as we have not desensitized it. Our conscience is not the same as the Holy Spirit, and it is not infallible or enforceable on others. We may, for the sake of conscience, avoid an activity that leads us into temptation, but another believer may participate without concern. That is normal, and we should show respect for each others’ decisions based on conscience. Unless our conscience is in conflict with God’s Word, it is wise to follow its warnings and direction.Genesis 6:9Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.Psalm 1:1Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.Proverbs 10:21The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.1 Corinthians 12:8To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.Titus 1:15Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure.Seek advice from those who are faithful, godly, honest, trustworthy, and wise. They can be counted on to give counsel that comes from God’s Word.Exodus 18:14When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”1 Kings 12:8-11Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers. “What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?” The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’”2 Chronicles 22:4He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done. They even became his advisers after the death of his father, and they led him to ruin.Proverbs 1:8My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.Proverbs 4:1My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment. . . .Proverbs 6:20My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.Proverbs 23:22Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.Proverbs 27:9The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.Family and friends have the potential to be excellent sources of advice as they often know us and our circumstances. However, be wary that close kinship and association is not always the best criteria for good advice nor is it a guarantee of godly advice.Proverbs 11:14Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.It is often wise, especially on major issues, to seek more than one opinion, comparing the advice with God’s Word and his ways.1 Kings 22:6So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?” They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory.”Proverbs 27:6Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.Proverbs 29:5To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet.Zechariah 10:2Household gods give worthless advice, fortune-tellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce falsehoods that give no comfort. So my people are wandering like lost sheep; they are attacked because they have no shepherd.2 Timothy 4:3A time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.Avoid “yes men”—people who tell you only what you want to hear. They are, in a very real sense, false prophets. A godly advisor who loves us enough to speak difficult truths is incredibly valuable.

Question 3

How can good advice benefit all?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 18:14-19When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.”Good advice can help everybody involved in a situation. Jethro’s advice benefited Moses and the entire nation.

Question 4

How do I evaluate the advice of others?

Accepted Answer

2 Chronicles 22:4-5He [Ahaziah] did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done. They even became his advisers after the death of his father, and they led him to ruin.Proverbs 10:20The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.Proverbs 14:7Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.Matthew 7:16“You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.”2 John 1:9Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God.One way to evaluate advice is to evaluate the advisers. Do their actions match their words? Do the adviser’s words and life produce good fruit or bad?1 Thessalonians 5:21Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.1 John 2:26-27I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.When evaluating advice, check it against the truth of God’s Word. If it contradicts the Bible, then it is bad advice.1 Samuel 24:4-7“Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe. But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.” So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul.We must be certain that the counsel of others is God-focused rather than self-focused human wisdom.Numbers 13:30Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”Colossians 2:8Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.What is the basis of the advice—fact or opinion? Caleb’s advice was fact because it was based on his experience and on God’s promise of victory.Proverbs 8:8-9My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.Is the advice wholesome, good, understandable and clear?2 Chronicles 22:4-5He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done. They even became his advisers after the death of his father, and they led him to ruin.Proverbs 12:5-6The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous. The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.Proverbs 12:26The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.Think through what the results of following the advice could look like. Would it cause any moral compromises? Where might it lead in the long-term?Acts 21:4We went ashore, found the local believers, and stayed with them a week. These believers prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go on to Jerusalem.Acts 21:11-14He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”Paul received advice from many whom he loved and respected, but in the end, he had to do what he felt God was telling him to do.

Question 5

How do I give good advice to others?

Accepted Answer

Philippians 4:8Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.When giving advice, it’s critical to make sure our hearts are in the right place. We should offer the best possible advice for the situation, not advice that might improve our own situations. Instead, we should pray about what we need to say, and always keep others’ best interests in mind.Proverbs 18:2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.Proverbs 18:13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.Ecclesiastes 5:2Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.James 1:19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.Often, listening long and speaking briefly is more helpful than an overblown lecture. Words are like medicine; they should be measured with care. An overdose may do more harm than good.1 Samuel 3:19As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.Daniel 2:30“It is not because I [Daniel] am wiser than anyone else that I know the secret of your dream, but because God wants you to understand what was in your heart.”Some people always seem to have good advice because they have a good adviser. People listened to Samuel and Daniel because their words came from the Lord God himself.Psalm 37:30-31The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path.Colossians 3:16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.When we know God’s Word, we can refer to it as we provide advice. Then our words will be consistently wise and helpful.Proverbs 25:11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.Hindsight is often too late. The good advice we offer needs to be timely. The same advice given too early or too late may not be appropriate.Proverbs 27:5-6An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.Proverbs 28:23In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.If we truly care about someone, our advice should be honest. Telling people what they want to hear may make them pleased with us in the short-term, but it may harm them in the long run.Proverbs 15:33Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.Luke 14:11“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”Luke 22:26“But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.”Romans 12:3Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.When someone asks us for advice, we should respond with humility. Humility does not mean pretending we lack experience or wisdom—it simply means having an accurate view of our limitations. When we are humble, we genuinely care more about serving others than about winning their admiration or approval.Job 5:17“Consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin.”Proverbs 18:13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.Although Eliphaz was correct (see Hebrews 12:6), his advice did not apply to Job’s situation. We must make sure we have all the facts and thoroughly understand a person’s situation before giving advice.Numbers 13:33-14:4“We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. We felt like grasshoppers next to them, and that’s what we looked like to them!” . . . Then all the people began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron. “We wish we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they wailed. “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and little ones will be carried off as slaves! Let’s get out of here and return to Egypt!” Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a leader and go back to Egypt!”The negative opinion of ten men caused a great rebellion among the Israelites. Because it is human nature to accept opinion as fact, we must be especially careful when voicing negative opinions. What we say may heavily influence the actions of those who are trusting us to give sound advice.

Question 6

What happens when I follow good advice?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 1:1Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.Proverbs 10:21The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.Following good advice brings joy and satisfaction because of the positive results that come from it. Following bad advice robs us of joy and satisfaction because it leads to sorrow and disaster.Proverbs 6:20-24My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Keep their words always in your heart . . . For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life. It will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.1 Peter 5:5You who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”The advice from godly people who have experienced many things during their lives can give us direction and protection.Proverbs 8:14Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.Proverbs 13:13People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.Proverbs 15:5, 22Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. . . . Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.Proverbs 20:18Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.Following good advice helps prevent failure and promotes success.Proverbs 8:33Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.Proverbs 9:9Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.Proverbs 15:32If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.Proverbs 19:20Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.Understanding and wisdom increase as we follow good advice. We can learn something from each situation that will help us in the future.

Question 7

What happens if I ignore good advice?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 12:8-11, 15-16Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers. “What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?” The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’” . . . So the king paid no attention to the people . . . When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, “Down with the dynasty of David!”Rehoboam chose the advice of his inexperienced peers over the advice of his wise elders. This led to an irreparable civil war. When we ignore the good advice of wise people, we make a deliberate choice to act foolishly. The results are rarely happy or satisfying, and may even cause irreparable damage.Proverbs 1:30-33They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. . . . Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.Ignoring good advice can lead to suffering the natural consequences of the path chosen.Proverbs 11:14Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.Proverbs 13:13People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.Acts 27:11The officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul.Acts 27:21No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss.”Ignoring good advice can lead to even deeper trouble.2 Chronicles 25:16The king interrupted him and said, “Since when have I made you the king’s counselor? Be quiet now before I have you killed!” So the prophet stopped with this warning: “I know that God has determined to destroy you because you have done this and have refused to accept my counsel.”Proverbs 13:14The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.1 Peter 2:8And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.Sometimes, ignoring advice can lead to the heaviest consequence: death.

Question 8

Do I have to be unusually smart to give good advice?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 12:8To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.Ultimately, God is the source of all wisdom. If we wish to be wise advisors, intelligence is less important than humility and respect for him. Some people are given a special gift of wisdom from the Holy Spirit. But even if wisdom is not our specific gift, God answers prayer for wisdom, and we can always point people to God’s Word—our richest source of good advice.

Question 9

What advice does God give to all people who believe and follow him?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 32:8The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”Proverbs 1:7Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.Isaiah 30:1-3“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. For without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt for help. You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection. You have tried to hide in his shade. But by trusting Pharaoh, you will be humiliated, and by depending on him, you will be disgraced.”Isaiah 40:13-14Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice?Hosea 14:9Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.1 John 3:1See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.1 John 4:10This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.1 John 5:21Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.We can trust God, not only because he knows what’s best for us, but because he loves us and wants what’s best for us.Deuteronomy 11:22Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.Deuteronomy 12:28Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the Lord your God.2 Kings 17:37Be careful at all times to obey the decrees, regulations, instructions, and commands that he wrote for you. You must not worship other gods.Psalm 81:13Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!Ezekiel 18:27“If wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives.”Matthew 7:24-27“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”Matthew 22:37-40Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”John 3:36“And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”John 10:10“My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”John 14:15-17“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”John 14:21, 25-26“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” . . . I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”Romans 2:13Merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.Galatians 5:16So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.Colossians 2:6Now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.James 1:21-25So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.God wants us to live joyful and fulfilled lives in loving relationship with him and others. His commands help us understand how to do that and protect us from sin’s deception.

Question 10

How do I know when to give advice and when not to?

Accepted Answer

Job 29:21-23“Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak. And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them. They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.”Proverbs 9:9Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.Give advice to those who ask for it. Wise people seek further wisdom; fools never do.Matthew 18:15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”Galatians 6:1Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.James 5:19-20My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.Give counsel and gently correct a fellow Christian who has fallen into sin.Proverbs 17:10A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.Proverbs 19:25If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser.Proverbs 23:9Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.Before giving advice, consider the recipient. A person of good character will respond with understanding. A fool will despise your advice and you will have wasted your breath.Proverbs 15:23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!Proverbs 25:11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.There is a right time to give advice. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, the circumstances, and the feelings of the people involved.Job 5:17, 27“But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin . . . We have studied life and found all this to be true. Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself.”Make sure your advice applies to the situation at hand. Sometimes we give advice that is true, but it doesn’t apply to that particular person or circumstance. Eliphaz assumed God was punishing Job for some sin, when in reality, God was allowing Satan to test Job.Job 18:21They will say, “This was the home of a wicked person, the place of one who rejected God.”Bildad gave Job unhelpful, trite answers. Sometimes it is best to listen and compassionately identify with another’s pain.Job 2:13Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.Job’s three friends are famous for giving poor advice to him in his time of need. But before they made this mistake, they did something very wise: they showed Job they cared about him. For a whole week, they sat with Job as he suffered, growing in their understanding of his situation and supporting him in silence. Consider whether advice is truly the first thing someone needs. Sometimes, it is not our words that are most helpful, but our presence.

Question 11

How can I prepare myself to be open to good advice?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 11:8“So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.”2 Chronicles 24:17-18After Jehoiada’s death, the leaders of Judah came and bowed before King Joash and persuaded him to listen to their advice. They decided to abandon the Temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and they worshiped Asherah poles and idols instead! Because of this sin, divine anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem.Proverbs 1:23Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.When we commit to our relationship with God, we will grow in recognizing what God values. Then, we will learn to recognize good advice when it rings with an echo of God’s goodness.Psalm 1:1-3, 6Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do . . . For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.Psalm 37:4Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.Meditating on God’s Word exposes the foolishness of worldly wisdom and opens our hearts to God’s ways.Proverbs 13:10Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.Proverbs 29:1Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.Proverbs 15:12Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.Sins, such as pride and stubbornness, can cause us to ignore wise advice.Proverbs 18:15Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.Matthew 13:12“To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”Luke 8:18“So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”Acts 17:11The people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.Being open-minded will prepare you to hear, evaluate, and receive good advice.Proverbs 15:31-32If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.Proverbs 12:15Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.Realizing the benefit of advice and constructive criticism helps us to be more attentive to what others have to say. Listening can change our lives.Job 6:24“Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong.”Sometimes our circumstances prepare us to receive advice.1 Kings 12:10-11The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’”It’s wise to check our motives when listening to advice. Don’t act merely on what you want to hear.Numbers 36:5So Moses gave the Israelites this command from the Lord: “The claim of the men of the tribe of Joseph is legitimate.”Be more concerned about the right way than your way.

Question 12

Are there certain areas of life where I don’t need advice?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 37:23-24The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.Proverbs 6:22When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.Proverbs 19:20Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.No area of life is too small or unimportant to seek advice from the Lord. He cares about every aspect of our lives.

Advice/Advisors