“Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel” (Proverbs 27:9). Men have always understood and benefitted from the advice of others. That is, if it is good advice. You may remember Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, who inherited the reign of his father in Israel. When he ascended the throne, he was told by the “whole assembly of Israel” to “lighten the burdensome service of your father” with the promise if he did so, “we will serve you” (1 Kings 12:1-4).
Rehoboam asked his father’s advisors what to do. They told him to grant the people’s request, telling him if he did, “then they will be your servants forever” (7). Instead of following their sage advice, he instead listened to his peers, who lacked the wisdom the elders supplied. The young men suggested he say, “And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!” (11). This was a direct cause of the northern tribes rejecting him in favor of Jeroboam. It led the chronicler of the Kings to write, “So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day” (19).
Good advice for the child of God comes from heavenly wisdom. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). It comes from those who have been long immersed in the word of God, and have through experience, age, and prayer developed an awareness of how best to apply God’s will to any particular circumstance. This is why Paul emphasized that an elder must not be “a novice” (1 Timothy 6:1) and “sober-minded” “self-controlled” and “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught” (Titus 1:5-9) among other qualifications.
That is not to say that a Christian has to be of a certain age or experience, or have a certain position to be able to offer sage advice. In fact, anyone who has a good knowledge of God’s will and a workable perception of the problem can share good advice with his fellow brother or sister in Christ. Consider God’s promise, “The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail” (Isaiah 58:11). Simply put, good advice is godly advice. It is advice that is informed by God’s word!
Here we revisit Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (ESV). God intends that we be willing to advise our brothers and sisters, and shows that such advice is a way for us to edify one another. We are not talking about being a “know it all”, or a “busybody in other people’s matters” (1 Peter 4:15). Often a brother or sister in Christ can be floundering, and a gentle piece of sagacity is needed and greatly appreciated by them in their struggles or confusion.
One challenge we face is a willingness to accept advice from others. Misplaced pride or willfulness is a problem. Every call to repent that is refused or ignored is a piece of advice refused. Consider the reception to Paul’s words as an example, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). In response to Paul’s call we are told their were three responses: Some mocked Paul, some delayed, “However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and other with them” (Acts 11:34). Remember the wise man’s words, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).
Consider how important it is for us to be willing to help others in this way. Especially when a person’s soul is at stake. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2). It is not appropriate to say “who am I to talk”, or to keep silent when a soul is in any way in need. It shows a lack of love to be unwilling to share God’s wisdom to your brother or sister.
Consider wise counsel taken in the Old Testament. Pharoah’s acceptance of Joseph’s counsel (Genesis 41); the advice Jethro gave to Moses (Exodus 18); Eli’s guidance of young Samuel (1 Samuel 3); Mordecai’s warning to Esther (Esther 4); and Joshua’s challenge to Israel (Joshua 24). In all of these cases good godly advice was given and followed, saving lives and encouraging spiritual growth. This is one reason for God’s determination that His people establish intimate and loving relationships as brethren.
With this in mind, read Paul’s advice to the Corinthians and consider it good advice for you as well. “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2).
