Where do I look for good advice?



What should I do? This is a commonly asked question. In an age of conflicting claims and confusing directions, many search for wise counsel. Maybe that’s why counselors are in such great demand and advice columnists are in every newspaper. There is a critical difference, however, between wise counsel and misleading advice that leads to destruction. Of all wisdom, God’s wisdom is the best, for his is given with a perspective of ultimate truth and eternity. Who among us would not like to talk with someone who knows everything that will happen tomorrow and every tomorrow to come? We would do well to seek advice more often from the sources of divine wisdom: God and his Word.


Where do I look for good advice?

1 Samuel 8:6

| Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the LORD for guidance.


Job 12:13

“But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.”


Psalm 32:8

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”


James 1:5

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.


Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.


Colossians 3:16

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.

Seek advice from God through prayer and reading his Word, the Bible.


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 as our Counselor; both Jesus’ life and words counsel us. God also gave us the Holy Spirit, who is called “the Counselor.” He will stay with you at all times to give you wisdom and guide you in any circumstance.


Genesis 6:9

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.


1 Kings 12:8-9

But Rehoboam 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.

Family and friends have the potential to be excellent sources of advice as they often know us and our circumstances. However, be wary that kinship and association are not the basic criteria for good advice nor are they a guarantee for godly advice.


Titus 1:15

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure.

Seek advice from those who are faithful, godly, honest, and trustworthy. They can be counted on to give you counsel that comes from God’s Word.


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


Proverbs 12:15

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Wisdom is the recognition of our own inadequacies. Foolishness is thinking we have none. It is wise to recognize our limitations rather than to discover them at the wrong time.


Proverbs 25:11

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

There are few things as valuable as wise and timely advice.


How do I evaluate the advice of others?


2 Chronicles 22:4

[Members of Ahab’s family] became [Ahaziah’s] advisers . . . and they led him to ruin.


Matthew 7:16

“You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.”


2 John 1:9-10

Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.

It is important to seek advice from those who love God and have a good knowledge of the Bible. When evaluating their advice, check it against the truth of God’s Word. If it contradicts the Bible, avoid it at all costs.


How do I give good advice to others?

1 Samuel 3:19

As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.

People listened to Samuel because Samuel had something important to say. But Samuel had something important to say because he had a good adviser—the Lord God himself.


Philippians 4:8

Fix 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.

In giving advice to others, have pure motives, point to God’s Word, and don’t use advice as an excuse to lecture. Pray about what you want to say, and have the other person’s best interests in mind. Words are like medicine; they should be measured with care, for an overdose may do more harm than good.


Psalm 1:1

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

Following evil advice leads to sorrow and disaster, robbing us of joy and satisfaction. Godly advice leads to good results, enriching our joy.


Promises From God


Psalm 32:8

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”


Proverbs 18:4

Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

Popular posts from this blog

Does God really hold us accountable for all our actions?

Image
  Accountability is giving an account of yourself to someone—where you’ve been, what you’ve been doing, who you’ve been with, how you will perform a certain task, or what your motives are. The one who is holding you accountable has the freedom, perhaps the right, to ask for a report. But don’t most of us resent it when we are fully accountable? We may feel that it restricts us and forces us to expose dark corners of our lives we’d prefer to keep hidden. Although genuine accountability may be uncomfortable, it’s necessary, for it keeps us honest, moral, and on the right path. It urges us to do what we should do, even if we prefer not to. If we answer to no one, aren’t we free to go where our desires lead rather than where God leads—a dangerous game?  Bosses may or may not do a good job of holding their employees accountable. Parents may or may not always do such a good job of holding their children accountable. How well do you hold yourself accountable to someone else? When we ...
Read more

What is the greatest thing that can be accomplished?

Image
To accomplish something is to complete a task, whether it is washing the dishes or winning the Super Bowl. The Bible mentions many physical accomplishments, but it also highlights spiritual accomplishments, which we so often overlook—an active prayer life, Christian maturity, telling a neighbor about your faith, a moral victory over temptation, a tender word of encouragement to a child. These kinds of accomplishments need to take priority in our lives. What is my greatest accomplishment? How do I achieve it? Ecclesiastes 12:13 Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the LORD says: "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. [24] But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the eart...
Read more

Overcoming False Accusations

Image
  We live in a world where our sinful nature urges us to first look out for ourselves. Rather than take responsibility for our own actions and faults, our first instinct is to accuse someone or something else – anything to take the focus off ourselves and avoid the consequences of our mistakes.  But accusations are often justified as well – a crime is committed, a costly mistake is made, a sin was committed that threatens a relationship. In these cases, it is necessary to accuse the one who did wrong so that justice can be served and restitution made. Before we accuse, we must be very careful to have all the facts, and to make an accusation in a way that focuses on righting the wrong, not on destroying the accused. Accusations have the power to destroy another person, so we must be extremely careful before we point our finger. Ultimately, God knows all motives and he will bring justice to the guilty in his time. Why are accusations made against me? Psalm 35:11 Malicious witnes...
Read more

Touching quotes from Catherine Coleman

Image
Evangelist known for healing ministries and the Holy Spirit’s work. 1. "I believe that God wants to use you in a mighty way, and He wants to heal you." – Catherine Coleman 2. "The greatest miracle of all is the salvation of a soul." – Catherine Coleman 3. "God is not looking for vessels of gold or silver; He is looking for vessels of surrender." – Catherine Coleman 4. "I have one desire: that you may know Him, that you may experience His presence." – Catherine Coleman 5. "I can’t heal a fly, but God can heal a person, and He is still healing people today." – Catherine Coleman 6. "The Holy Spirit is not a power, He is a Person." – Catherine Coleman 7. "If you have faith in God, you can receive anything from Him." – Catherine Coleman 8. "Your faith in God will not disappoint you." – Catherine Coleman 9. "When you give God your life, you will find He can do more with it than you ever could." – Cather...
Read more

Discovering the Kingdom of God

Image
Introduction : In a world filled with chaos, uncertainty, and shifting values, many individuals seek a higher purpose and a sense of meaning that transcends the temporal. Deep within the human spirit lies a longing to connect with something greater, to discover a kingdom that offers true peace, joy, and purpose. It is in this pursuit that we embark on a transformative journey—unveiling the Kingdom of God, exploring its power, and unraveling its profound purpose. The Kingdom Unveiled : The Kingdom of God is not a physical realm confined to geographical boundaries, but rather a spiritual domain that exists within and among us. It is the reign of God, the rule of divine love, righteousness, and truth. To discover this kingdom, we must look beyond the external and venture into the depths of our hearts, where God's presence resides. Experiencing the Power of the Kingdom : The Kingdom of God carries an inherent power that can transform lives, heal brokenness, and bring restoration to the...
Read more

How do we break the chains of addiction?

Image
  Who in his right mind would volunteer to become a slave, chained to a life of bondage? Yet that’s just what addiction is: self-imposed slavery, selling oneself into bondage to habit or a substance. While we typically think of addiction as a problem related to drugs or alcohol, there are other addictions that can also be destructive. We may become addicted to work, addicted to gambling, or addicted to pornography. We all have our addictions, whether they are “minor” bad habits or dangerous dependencies. One thing we are all dangerously addicted to is sin. When it comes to rejecting God’s way of living and doing what seems best to us—well, we are hooked. So how do we break the chains of our sin addiction? Ironically, it is by submitting to the control of God and his Holy Spirit. We are still controlled, but his control is always for our benefit and health, not our destruction. God’s transforming power is the only thing that can ultimately heal us from all addictions. Can addiction ...
Read more

What Excludes us from God's Presence?

Image
What should we admit? Psalm 51:3-5 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night . . . I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight . . . For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. Leviticus 5:5 " When you become aware of your guilt in any of these ways, you must confess your sin. When you become aware of your guilt in any of these ways, you must confess your sin. We should admit all of our sins to the Lord. Romans 10:9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 14:11 For the Scriptures say, “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.” Philippians 2:11 Every tongue [will] declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 1 John 2:23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. We must admit that Jes...
Read more

Contact Form

Name

Email *

Message *