By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. – Proverbs 13:10
There is a fine balance in life between asking others for counsel and doing things on your own because you know that the action is right. In the Bible there are examples of both. The kings of Israel often surrounded themselves with wise counsel to inform them of multiple different good decisions before the king finally made one. Similarly, the apostles all gathered and prayed together before sending out Paul for ministry. However, there are also plenty of examples of God telling men to do things that are foolishness in the eyes of the world for His greater purpose. Take, for example, Noah and Abraham. Noah spent forty years of his life building a boat to prepare for a flood even though it had never rained in the history of earth. Likewise, Abraham was called to abandon his family and move to a land that he did not know even existed. But he heard God say go, so he did. So, then, what is the difference between these examples? Quite simply, it is the counsel surrounding them. Paul was surrounded by the apostles, the kings – the good ones at least – by godly counsel. Noah and Abraham, however, were surrounded by evil people in a land of perversion.
How then does this apply to the modern believer? Well, it is two-fold. The first and more obvious take away is to surround oneself with godly counsel that will give you wisdom that aligns with God’s heart. When these friends give advice, do not be quick to dismiss it, but meditate on it to see if that is the path that God wants you to take. The other take away is to attune your heart to the will of God. Study His scriptures and spend time meditating and praying in His presence so that you become attuned and accustomed to his voice. That way, when God says to move, you will have perfect clarity that it was Him, and use the faith that you have in God’s words as ammunition to destroy the lies from scoffers. Likewise, when you begin to recognize God’s voice, then when your wise counsel gives advice, and there is contradiction between them, or in your own heart, you will be able to discern God’s voice and act on it.
The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me. – John 10:27