Walking with the Wise #123: Wise in Our Ways

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

but a wise man listens to advice.”
—Proverbs 12:15

Several years ago I was talking with a friend about reading books. I was telling him about how much I enjoyed reading and he said to me in all seriousness, “I don’t read any books. I just come up with thoughts on my own.” I looked at him with astonishment and said, “That is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard in my life. It’s like saying, ‘I don’t build a fire with logs. I just make my own logs.'” We create things with what we have—builders make houses with raw materials, scientists build on others ideas, etc. As Christians, we are not laws unto ourselves, but we are people of the Book. Which means that we read and apply the Bible to our lives so that we might live in a way that is pleasing to God. And one of the truths that God’s Word teaches is that we are easily deceived.

Before coming to Christ, we were blinded to the truth of Christ by Satan (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4), and because of the corrupting nature of sin, our heart is a woeful and inadequate guide (cf. Jeremiah 17:9) which leads us to do what is right in our own eyes (cf. Judges 17:6; 21:25). The only way we can be guided rightly is to have a heavenly heart transplant performed by God Himself, which comes when we are born again (cf. Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26; Titus 3:5-6). Once the heart transplant has taken place, we are then to learn and be led by His Word and His Spirit, paying careful attention to renew our minds so that we might do God’s will (cf. Romans 12:2). And one way of discerning God’s will is by surrounding ourselves with godly counselors who will help us navigate and choose the best decision or choice of action for us. Or as Solomon said, 

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety”—Proverbs 11:14.

And again,

“…for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory”—Proverbs 24:6.

Only fools refuse to hear counsel from others; truly wise people hear the thoughts and opinions of others, taking great care to weigh what is told them according to the Word of God so that they make the best possible decision (cf. Acts 17:11).

How do you make decisions? Do you look to the Bible? Are you a law unto yourself, doing what is right in your own eyes? Or are you truly wise, surrounding yourself with godly believers who can help guide and counsel you to do what is right?

Lord, help us not to be fools, but to look to Your Word and do Your will. May we be wise in our decisions and may You surround us with godly men and women who can teach us Your way more accurately (cf. Acts 18:26) so that we might find our delight and joy in You and You alone. Amen.