Advice: Finding Divine Guidance and Offering Wise Counsel in Christian Living

In a world filled with countless decisions and complex challenges, the need for reliable guidance has never been greater. While human wisdom has its place, the most trustworthy counsel comes from our Creator, who promises to direct our paths through His Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit's illumination. This exploration examines the biblical foundation for both seeking and giving advice, providing practical wisdom for navigating life's decisions with faith and discernment.

Divine Guidance: The Ultimate Source of Wisdom

The most reliable advice we can receive comes directly from God. As Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Life's complexities are too great for us to navigate independently, and Scripture reminds us in Jeremiah 10:23 that "a person's life is not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps." Yet God graciously promises, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you" (Ps 32:8).

Our posture before God must be one of humility and surrender, echoing the psalmist's prayer: "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long" (Ps 25:4-5). This requires patient waiting rather than hasty action, as demonstrated in Acts 5:35-39, where Gamaliel wisely counselled allowing time and divine oversight to reveal the right course.

God employs various means to guide His people: through His written Word, the counsel of mature believers, the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts (Col 3:15), and the opening or closing of doors (Acts 16:6-10). We must remain sensitive to His leading while testing everything against Scripture, avoiding reliance solely on feelings or circumstances.

The wisdom found in Job 8:8-10 encourages us to "ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned," recognising that mature believers who have walked with God longer provide valuable perspective grounded in biblical truth and life experience.

Seeking Human Counsel: The Value of Multiple Perspectives

Biblical wisdom emphasises the importance of seeking multiple perspectives: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed" (Prov 15:22). Similar wisdom appears throughout Scripture (Prov 20:18, 24:5-6), highlighting that major decisions benefit from the input of godly, experienced individuals.

In major matters humbly ask for the advice and insight of more mature godly people

When seeking advice, we should approach others with openness and humility (1 Chr 13:1; Job 6:24; Prov 19:20), while carefully evaluating whether their counsel aligns with Scripture and proves realistic in application. The quality of advice depends greatly on the character and wisdom of those offering it.

Not all counsel carries equal weight. Proverbs warns against following the advice of the wicked (Prov 1:10-15) and encourages us to listen to those who fear the Lord (Ps 34:11). We must discern whether advice promotes godliness, integrity, and faith, or whether it leans toward compromise, pride, or self-interest.

Wisdom requires evaluating counsel through the lens of Scripture, considering the advisor's character and track record, and seeking confirmation through prayer and additional godly input before making significant decisions.

Giving Wise Counsel: Principles for Offering Godly Advice

When offering advice to others, we must first seek to understand their situation thoroughly, following the principle in Proverbs 18:13: "To answer before listening—that is folly and shame." Our counsel should be honest and balanced, neither overly optimistic nor unduly pessimistic, remaining practical and helpful while pointing toward biblical truth.

True wisdom does not manipulate or control but gently guides, allowing individuals to reach their own convictions under the Holy Spirit's influence. Sometimes people need a listening ear more than advice, requiring us to discern when to speak and when to simply provide a safe space for processing thoughts and emotions.

We must guard against imposing personal preferences as divine directives. Advice should be offered humbly, recognising that others must make their own decisions before God. Our goal is not to control outcomes but to help people walk in wisdom and faith, always pointing back to Scripture as the ultimate authority.

Do I follow my own advice?

When God's Word speaks clearly to an issue, we have a responsibility to offer firm, loving correction, pointing to His truth and the examples of faithful believers (Prov 27:5-6). However, we must remember that advice is suggestion, not command. The final decision rests with the individual seeking counsel.

Our role is to offer wisdom in love, maintaining integrity between our words and actions so that our lives reflect the counsel we give to others. Only by walking in God's ways can we expect His blessing on both our advice and our decisions.

Reflection and Application:

Am I consistently seeking God's guidance through Scripture and prayer before making important decisions?
Do I humbly consult mature believers when facing significant choices, remaining open to their biblical counsel?
When giving advice, am I listening carefully and offering balanced, scripturally grounded input rather than personal opinion?
Does my lifestyle reflect the counsel I give to others, demonstrating integrity between my words and actions?