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

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.