The most neglected tool for knowing God’s will for our lives is counsel from others. I am sure that the reason so few people seek God’s will through others is because of pride. And that is precisely why God chooses to give us direction through others, because we are humbling ourselves, and God loves humility.

God can put His will for us in the mind of a person we seek counsel from, and He will do just that as we humble ourselves and follow His instructions.

When my Dad was alive he was my main source for counsel. He knew very little of the Bible, I never saw him read it, he attended church occasionally, and had a poor relationship with the lord. So, why did I seek counsel from my Dad? Because he was my Dad, he was wise, and the Bible says to. I believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, the thoughts, wisdom, and the mind of Christ, so when the Bible says something is true I believe it is true and when the Bible says to do something I do it.

Proverbs 1:8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction
And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;

Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,

Proverbs 4:1 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father,
And give attention that you may gain understanding,

When I was struggling trying to figure out whether I should stay on the dairy farm or leave and pastor Jefferson Baptist Church, I asked my Dad, and he said, “go pastor for one year and see what happens, sometimes you just don’t know until you try something,” so I did and I have been here 45 years. When I had been pastoring for 10 years things were going very bad for me in the church. Many people were leaving, and there was lots of unrest and disunity. I wanted to quit in the worst way, so I called my Dad and asked his advice, and he said, “never quiet when you are losing, it is what weak men do, and all of your life you will wonder if it was the right thing to do. Wait until you get things turned around and going good, then quit.”

There are older, wise people all around us who would be honored if we asked for their advice about life and the decisions we need to make. The key to success in life is to do things God’s way, not our way.

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

Proverbs 15:22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they succeed.