What kind of advice are you listening to?
If you claim to follow Christ, you know that the Bible talks a lot about advice, or counsel.
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
But not all advice is good advice. The Bible also says, Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.
Everyone has an opinion. People love to tell you what they think. It’s up to us to:
- Have the humbleness to listen and accept to biblical counsel
- Have the courage to politely refuse unbiblical counsel
Christian, you are responsible for the kind of suggestions, opinions, and guidance you are listening to.
Be discerning. Just because someone uses a Bible verse doesn’t mean their counsel is biblical. Some of the absolute worst advice I’ve ever heard is from people who grabbed a verse or two to hammer their point. If it doesn’t jive with the rest of Scripture, it just isn’t truth. The Bible must be taken as a whole.
Where do I put my hope?
Do I put it in the idea that I’m “good”?
Matt Candler puts it this way, “The scary part of the Bible is not that God judges our wickedness, it’s that He sees our righteousness as filthy rags. Compared to the holiness of God, it’s your goodness that falls short. Not just your wickedness that condemns you. It’s your goodness. See why you need the Cross so badly? See why Jesus had better have paid the bill? Because all your righteous acts are filthy before Him!”
Am I confusing apathy with contentment?
Am I willing to do the hard work of learning and growing?
Do I justify laziness with words like “enjoy” or “deserve”?
Do I justify inaction with words like “not my concern” or “I don’t have time”?
Do I justify ignorance with words like “can’t” or “too hard”?
Do I have a list of reasons for remaining in my rut?
If I am convicted of something that makes me uncomfortable, do I avoid it by hiding behind the “losing my peace” excuse until it goes away?
Do I have a generous heart?
How often do I spend time serving others, especially if it’s in a way that won’t be noticed?
How regularly do I give financially to others? To my church? To charities? Do I even give at all? If I don’t, am I truly honest about why I don’t?
Am I willing to comfort another even if it means discomfort for me?
Am I willing to offer time, energy, or money towards a need, even if I’m not personally benefiting?
Do I pray just as much for others and their needs as I do for myself?
Do I show interest in others? Am I willing to reach out? Do I hide behind excuses like lack of time, not my gift, I’m shy, or I don’t know how?
Is it possible to be liked by everyone and still be respected?
What are the ways in which you may be acting in opposition to the reality you actually want to happen?
