Be open to advice
Thursday 6th September 2018
'The wise listen to advice.' Proverbs 12:15 NIV
Sometimes we think we don't need anyone else's advice. But that's not the case. The Bible says that, 'the wise listen to advice' (Proverbs 12:15 NIV) and that we should 'listen to advice and accept discipline' (Proverbs 19:20 NIV).
God often uses others to guide us and encourage us to go a certain way. But, not everyone will be giving us the right advice: it may be given out of self-interest or from ignorance. We need to be discerning. 'The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps' (Proverbs 14:15 NIV). So, when we're given advice, it's a good idea to pray about whether we should take that advice on board or not. And if we feel that it's godly advice, we then need to make sure we're putting that advice into action.
God uses us to give advice to others too. We need to be open to God's guiding when it comes to sharing advice. Not only do we need to make sure we're speaking godly advice into people's lives, but we need to consider how we deliver the advice. Advice shouldn't come across with aggression, judgement or patronisation. It shouldn't sound like we think we know better than the person we're advising. Instead, we should be 'speaking the truth with love' (Ephesians 4:15 NCV). And encouraging the person to pray for God's guidance too.
So what now? Take some time to read through a few chapters of the book of Proverbs and highlight any verses that jump out at you about advice and wisdom.
Thursday 6th September 2018
'The wise listen to advice.' Proverbs 12:15 NIV
Sometimes we think we don't need anyone else's advice. But that's not the case. The Bible says that, 'the wise listen to advice' (Proverbs 12:15 NIV) and that we should 'listen to advice and accept discipline' (Proverbs 19:20 NIV).
God often uses others to guide us and encourage us to go a certain way. But, not everyone will be giving us the right advice: it may be given out of self-interest or from ignorance. We need to be discerning. 'The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps' (Proverbs 14:15 NIV). So, when we're given advice, it's a good idea to pray about whether we should take that advice on board or not. And if we feel that it's godly advice, we then need to make sure we're putting that advice into action.
God uses us to give advice to others too. We need to be open to God's guiding when it comes to sharing advice. Not only do we need to make sure we're speaking godly advice into people's lives, but we need to consider how we deliver the advice. Advice shouldn't come across with aggression, judgement or patronisation. It shouldn't sound like we think we know better than the person we're advising. Instead, we should be 'speaking the truth with love' (Ephesians 4:15 NCV). And encouraging the person to pray for God's guidance too.
So what now? Take some time to read through a few chapters of the book of Proverbs and highlight any verses that jump out at you about advice and wisdom.
