Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Ask yourself this question, and keep your answer in mind: Are you someone who likes to seek advice, give advice, or maybe neither? I value feedback, advice, and counsel. I know that it is helpful. Without a lot of thought, I would tell you that I seek advice. But after deeper reflection and being brutally honest with myself, I think I like to seek advice that validates my already-formed thoughts and feelings. To my own disadvantage, I sometimes choose my counsel accordingly.

Proverbs 13 has a lot to say about the subject:

• “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction.”
• “...wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
• “Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.”
• “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life…”
• “All who are prudent act with knowledge…”
• “Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.”
• “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

I wondered how A.I. would summarize the book of Proverbs, so I asked ChatGPT to give me a summary. According to the source, Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings, instructions, and moral teachings with the primary goal of teaching people how to live, often contrasting wise and foolish behavior. That’s a pretty good summary of chapter 13 as well. But I would add that these are not just words that provide a good rule of thumb to live by—they are God-inspired words that lead to the real life our souls seek!

Wise instruction, advice, teaching, knowledge, correction… however you label it, what would keep us from seeking godly counsel that leads to truly living? When I go back to the answer to my first question (seeking advice that validates my thoughts and feelings), it leads me to another humbling truth: pride and selfishness. Human nature wants its own way, and it wants affirmation, even if what may be wrong is somehow justified.

Do you know who is often the last person I seek advice from? Ironically, it’s the person who vowed to do life with me for better or worse. The person who chose to do life with me “till death do us part.” The one person whom my decisions directly affect. Obviously, I’m talking about my husband. He loves to give me advice (a loving little eyeroll). It’s often advice I do not want to hear. It doesn’t just frustrate me—sometimes, it can infuriate me! You know why? Because he tells me things I do not want to hear. He gives me counsel that often invalidates my thoughts and feelings. WHHYYY??? What does he have to gain from a frustrated wife? Everything—if it aligns with godly wisdom. And likewise, everything to lose when my decisions are foolish.

Today, I challenge you to look around your circle. Who loves you too much to tell you what you want to hear? Who loves you enough to tell you what you DON'T want to hear—for your own good? Just as God used Solomon to give us wisdom through the book of Proverbs, He uses godly people around us to speak into our lives. If someone came to mind, thank God for that person, and ask Him to help you receive their wise counsel. If you didn’t think of someone, ask God to bless you with those relationships.

House Churches will resume in early August. Make it a goal to find a House Church where you can invest in a faith-based community where wise counsel is found.

Like a flame, wisdom is snuffed out in isolation, but fueled by the embers of community. (Yep, that’s Proverbs 0:0, but wise advice nonetheless!)

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.