Be Wise - Advice

BE WISE - Advice

July 28, 2019

Let me ask you a really easy question . . . . it’s an either / or question. Which is easier - - - giving advice or taking advice?

Isn’t it always easier to give advice!? I think so. Because we don’t always like the advice we are being given. It may be exactly what we need and exactly what we really don’t want to hear. But when we give advice, we believe our advice is the best advice the person is going to receive.

That’s what we’re talking about today! As we continue to look at the wisdom of Proverbs in our series, BE WISE, the words of Solomon will instruct us about the advice we receive and the advice we give.

We will look at a biblical example, as well as a personal example that’s going on right now in the Deutsch household. Because sometimes, the advice we get is good on all sides and we then aren’t sure what decision to make.

Remember, people like to give advice, and getting advice is pretty common. Go to Wal-Mart with a baby and people will tell you how to raise it, especially if your child is crying. In mid-July they'll say things like, "I can't believe you brought that baby out without a coat on!" or "If you let that baby suck her thumb like that she'll get buck-teeth." You get the idea.

Another easy way to get advice is go into business for yourself. There are plenty of people out there who are glad to tell you where you should spend your advertising dollar, what your prices should be, what your hours should be, and on and on.

Another easy way to get advice is to coach a team. Everyone has an opinion about what you should do and what you shouldn’t do, who should play and who shouldn’t play.

The point is - - - there is so much advice out there and lots of people willing to offer advice. Of course, the problem is that most unasked-for advice is worth what you paid for it. And taking the wrong advice can get you in trouble.

If you’re in the process of getting it together and keeping it together, you will need to fine-tune the art of taking advice. Everyone needs advice, and the book of Proverbs tells us it is absolutely essential to take advice in order to succeed in life. Solomon said...

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. – Proverbs 19:20

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. – Proverbs 12:15

The first thing we’re going to look at is the need to be selective in who you listen to. Sometimes that can be difficult to determine who’s best to listen to and who has your best interests in their heart, spirit and mind.

You can't get advice from just everyone, though sometimes it may seem that everyone is trying to give it to you. You have to choose who you'll listen to. This is why we should be wary of receiving unasked for advice. People who are wise rarely attempt to advise you until you ask for it, because they know you have to be ready to hear advice before it will do you any good.

The other option if you really are wanting to help someone is to offer a time to meet and talk and share encouragement. Most people don’t want to get beat up through advice.

For example, in one of my doctoral classes I had an amazing professor, Howard Hendricks. He really was this old, crusty guy, with the most amazing heart, and he just wanted you to call him, Howie!

He told the story about a time he taught a preaching class and this one student did everything you can possibly do wrong, wrong. He said the sermon was horrendous. But he had to meet with him and tell him how bad it was. But in Howie’s way, you did it with love and you always find 2-3 areas where he did well. So, Howie met with him and told him some things he actually did well, then asked him, “with all these good things, can I share some ways you can get even better?” It was so revelatory about how we should approach people.

Now, before you seek advice from anyone regarding a problem you're having or a decision you're facing, be careful to choose the right person to give you counsel.

Solomon tells us –

7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. – Proverbs 14:7

The Living Bible says it very simply - - If you’re looking for advice, stay away from fools.