Advise On Receiving Advice

QUESTION RECEIVED:

I am a Christian man. Should I let other people to tell me what I should do with my life


MY ANSWER:

You have a Counselor, The Holy Spirit.
John 14:26 (ESV)
"26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Yes, so called men of God have given horrible advice to men. See the three friends of Job concerning bad advice. But elders or pastors are here to help you. The New Testament refers several times to people helping and giving advice in the life of the church.

To the church in Corinth, Paul told them to follow his godly example as he follows Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

To the church in Phillippi, Paul sends them Timothy as a leader and adviser.
Philippians 2:22 ESV
"But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel."

Paul sent advisers to the gentile church in Antioch.
Acts 15:22(ESV)
"22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,".


We are told to respect the elder men who give fatherly advice.
1 Timothy 5 (ESV)
"1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,".

We are told in Titus to respect our older men and women of the faith who give advice and who advise and teach the next generation.

Titus 2:2-4 (ESV)
"2Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,".

Yes, seek godly council. Do not accept anyone spouting Scripture seeking a role of importance. There are plenty of folks, unequipped, yet willing to spout off to seem important. This is another reason to be in a good church. You know the people. You have spent time with them. The Christian leaders have passed the test of time. You can use spiritual and mental discernment in choosing wise biblical counsel. These people give advise. You are responsible for the final decesion that will honor God.