How do I evaluate the advice of others?

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.