Good Advice
Good Morning,
Proverbs 20:18 “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.”
Our theme today is, good advice. I am thinking of a man who’s marriage lasted only a matter of days; good advice would have saved him the heartbreak.
Another man’s children were just getting attached to their stepmom, and she left. Good advice could have prevented the problem.
There was a young man who completed his first year of college with $17,000 of credit card debt, and nothing to show what he spent the money on. Good advice could have saved this young man some financial headaches.
People pack their families and move across the country without advice.
People choose a career without advice.
People choose a college without advice.
People choose their spouse without advice.
It is no wonder we have a 50 to 70% divorce rate, and that the vast majority of college graduates do not get a job in the field they studied in college. NO ADVICE!
I’m thinking of the young lady who swallowed the romance of an oceanography degree. The thought of swimming with Shamu and being on the boat with Jacques Cousteau won her over. After an enormous amount of money and several years, she finally completed her degree. The problem was there were no jobs in oceanography. She worked as a volunteer in a hospital. Her situation could have been prevented with good advice.
Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
Proverbs 20:18 “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.”
Proverbs 24:6 "For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
Many other verses remind us of the importance of good counsel. The Scriptures likewise warn of bad counsel. Getting advice alone is not adequate; we need good advice. I would also like to point out that the Scriptures are filled with warnings not to trust our own hearts.
In law enforcement, as well as many other careers, when an investigation is too close to the officer, perhaps a family member or a close friend, that officer is usually not allowed to be a part of the investigation because they are too close and their heart is potentially tied to the circumstances.
Ironically, a police investigation has better sense than a Christian in making life plans for their family. We are often far too close and too emotionally involved in our own decision-making to make truly spiritual choices.
There is a reason God gave parents to young people, and a pastor or spiritual leaders to the church members. Guiding the flock is the pastor’s job. It is not his job to intrude uninvited, neither is it his job to insist that people listen to him. He is to be available to those who seek good advice.
Proverbs 20:5 “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.”
The pastor and spiritual leaders are to be like that well, filled with help and wisdom, but waiting for someone to draw that wisdom out. Nobody wants to walk by a well and have it splash all over them. The decision is yours; you may “lean to your own understanding,” or get “good advice.”
Pastor