I Corinthians 3:18-19 (NIV)
Week after week the young woman in our Sunday school class shared that her marriage was in trouble. No excitement, she said. They had grown apart and their interests were totally different she told us. Just not sure she loved him anymore, she would comment over and over. And each Sunday we all prayed for her and encouraged her to seek Christian counseling to find wise direction and help for her marriage.
Finally, she agreed to go that week. She lived in a larger city where there were several counselors, she said. Everyone prayed over her and her decision to seek wise counsel and could not wait to hear from her the next Sunday. We were thrilled to see her in our class but totally shocked by what she shared.
“Well, I took your advice and went to a counselor this week,” she announced. “And he told me that the best way to find out if I should stay in this marriage or get out was to have an affair.”
Shocked silence in the room followed her matter-of-fact statement. Finally, our teacher was able to speak. “You went to a Christian counselor and he told you that?!” Shaking her head, she replied “Oh, no, not a Christian counselor. I looked up the number of a counseling group and went to one of them.”
Worldly wisdom versus Godly wisdom. Is there any question about what the sad outcome of that marriage eventually was?
I Corinthians 3:18-19 (NIV) makes crystal clear where to find the source of true wisdom. It says “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight . . .”
As Christians, we should not be shocked when we hear that advice given by someone, not in the Word, is anything other than the “whatever makes you happy” philosophy of many today. But let’s take this one step further. What kind of advice do I give when asked? Are my answers to tough situations based on what God says in His Word or does my advice reflect worldly “whatever makes you happy” thinking?
To be honest, we know that there will always be people who ask for our advice but really do not want it and have already made a decision to do what they want. But Godly counselors will always go before the Lord in prayer to seek His wisdom in everything that comes before them and then search the Word for His answers. We must make certain that, when asked for advice, we also put aside our opinions and ideas and first seek the One who will always give wise counsel.
Father, I want to be a reflection of you and you alone when I am asked for help in life’s situations. Please keep me focused on your Word. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
R.A.P. it up . . .
Reflect
Have you ever given advice, only to realize later that what you said was completely opposite of God’s Word?
Did you correct your advice immediately?
Apply
When asked for advice, let that person know that you want to pray over him/her first and ask the Lord to be in the center of everything that is said.
As you listen to what they share with you, ask the Lord to speak truth to your heart. Pray for guidance and share if the Lord prompts you.
Power
I Corinthians 3:18-19 (NIV) “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. . .”
James 3:17 (NIV) “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
II Timothy 3:16 (NIV) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness . . .”
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