2. We need to surround ourselves with wise counselors:

We might be surprised at how many Proverbs talk about the importance of receiving (and following) good advice. For instance, here are just a few verses:

For lack of guidance a nation falls,but victory is won through many advisers (Proverbs 11:14).

Where there is strife, there is pride,but wisdom is found in those who take advice (Proverbs 13:10).

Plans fail for lack of counsel,but with many advisers they succeed (Proverbs 15:22).

One reason community is so critical is because we need each other’s wisdom. When left to our own devices, we miss important details, misread our motivations, and ignore danger signs. Godly advisors can help fill in the gaps we miss.

The challenge here is that not every guide is equally valuable. Friends are essential (so long as they don’t just tell us what we want to hear), but we need input from outside our peer group. We need insight from trusted sources who have a history of walking with Jesus and making wise decisions.

This is why Peter encourages Christians with these words:

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proudbut shows favor to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

This idea of submitting to one another and clothing ourselves in humility is about realizing that we don’t always have all the answers, and occasionally we need the wisdom of people who’ve been there. We need to be willing to weigh others’ input and resist the pride of ignoring advice we don’t like.

Erick Bouwmeester