Heeding Wise Counsel

 

By Paul Chappell

And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

Proverbs 5:11-13

George Washington’s father died when he was just eleven, and for a time the young Washington had his heart set on joining the British navy. However, his mother had some serious reservations about that path and eventually strongly urged him to reconsider. He listened to his mother, and rather than becoming the captain of a ship, he became Commander in Chief of the entire military forces of the United States of America.

Much of the course of our lives is determined by the input we get when making decisions and whether we heed wise counsel when we receive it. By admitting we don’t know everything and seeking counsel, we are protecting ourselves from great damage. What the Bible says in regard to counsel is often misquoted. It is common to hear people say, “In the multitude of counselors there is wisdom.” While there is truth in that statement, the Scripture actually says, “In the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).

Refusing to heed godly counsel places us on a pathway to destruction. Each of us has a heart that is deceitful and subject to being deceived. That is why counsel is so important—so that someone can objectively evaluate the situation and respond from a biblical perspective. Though the Scriptures do not directly address every area of life, the principles in the Word of God can and should guide us in all that we do. Rather than being a sign of weakness, seeking counsel—and following it—is a sign of wisdom. Surround yourself with people whose thinking is influenced by Bible principles, and you will be protected.

Today's Rooted Principle:

God has placed wise people in your life for a reason—listen to their counsel and heed it.