Who are your advisors?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2012-14&version=NIV

Today we read about Rehoboam, son and successor to Solomon. I'm focusing specifically on chapter 12:1-24. By the end of Solomon's reign, we had placed heavy amounts of taxation and forced labor upon the people. So when Rehoboam takes the thrown, the people asked him to 'lighten the yoke' that was placed on them by Solomon. Rehoboam sends them away and considers their request.

As he considered the request, he started out right by seeking wise counsel from the elders that served during his father's reign. In their wisdom, they advised he grant the request of the people and in doing so he would gain their loyalty. Their answer indicates their wisdom in understanding that, as my Study Bible explains, "Authority in the kingdom of God is for service, not for personal aggrandizement."

It appears that he didn't like their answer - I'm guessing there was pride and power-hunger involved. I'm thinking he wanted a little bit of personal aggrandizement, because scripture says he rejected their advice. By all appearances, he sought out the 'advice' of those who would tell him what he wanted to hear. He went to his friends, his peers, and people he had moved into administrative positions. Their advice lacked the wisdom and experience of the elders, but fed the ego of the power-hungry king. In fact, I imagine they themselves where just a tad prideful and power-hungry. They suggested, and he agreed, to increase the yoke on the people.

Needless to say, the results where less than ideal. The rejection of the people's request and the decision to more heavily oppress them lead to rebellion against him. Sure, he heard what he wanted to hear from his friends, he got the 'advice' he wanted - and it ended in disaster.

So my question for you today is from whom do you seek advice? Do you have a wise person - a spiritual mentor and truth-speaker in your life who will advise with wisdom and discernment? Are you willing to place yourself under the authority of someone who will sometimes tell you what you really don't want to hear? Someone who is willing to 'step on your toes' a bit to guide and lead you in a good and godly direction? Or do you tend to see out those who will tell you what you want to hear?

May I make some suggestions today? First, be willing to be humble enough, as Thomas a Kempis says, " to hear the judgement of others". Secondly, I suggest that you find one of two godly people in your life who can serve as advisers to you. Next, limit the number of people from who you seek advice. One of two wise people can provide much clearly direction than many. Too many opinions lead to confusion, not direction. Lastly, I suggest that you use the following guidelines to wisely and carefully choose someone who will be your guide and/or mentor:


Choose someone who is humble,older, wiser, more experienced or spiritually mature than you. Gary Thomas says that 'Someone who has a problem with power or control, incorrect theology, or lack of maturity can do more harm than good'.

Choose someone who is spirit-filled and is willing to seek God before they give you an answer. I have reached a point in my life that I don't want to know what people who are not spirit-filled have to say about my situation. Those who aren't filled with the spirit and seeking God see the problem or issue from a human perspective and will give you answers based on human wisdom. I want Godly wisdom! I have one friend who often will say to me, "Carol, let me pray about that and get back to you." I find great comfort and security in receiving an advice from a friend such as that.

Seek out someone who willing to speak strongly to you and is comfortable with confronting a problems or an issue - one who will speak truth even when it's painful. Then, be willing to hear and accept the truth. Some of the largest changes and turning points in my life came about because I precious friend told me something they noticed about me that I did not want to hear. But, by the grace of God, I was willing to listen. Today, I am SO very grateful for those friends who loved me enough to speak bold truths to me. I am grateful for friends that where more concerned about leading me in the right direction than they were about whether or not I'd be upset with them.

Choose people who are both in your same station/place in life, and those who are not. I need wise, single friends because there are things in singleness that they understand better than those who are not single. But at the same time, I also need friends who aren't so close to the issue sometimes. There are times when I need someone who is removed from the situation, doesn't have their own prejudices, and can give me a completely objective opinion.

Finally, pray that God would lead you in the process - that he would place people in your life to be mentors and guides. Francis de Sales urges that we "Beseech God, with the greatest importunity, to furnish you with one who may be according to His own heart; and be assured that he will rather send you an angel from heaven than fail to grant your request." It is God's will that we have Spiritual mentors and advisers in our lives, and if we pray for them and wisely seek them, we will find them!

Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels