Life presents us all with decisions that are difficult to make, situations we do not know how to navigate, and seasons when our own understanding is simply not enough. Learning to seek and receive wise counsel should be part of our personal development. God often uses the wisdom, experience, correction, and perspective of others to help us see what we could not see on our own. However, there is an important understanding that should not be missed. Not all counsel we receive is wise. Someone can speak confidently and still be wrong. Someone can love us and still give us advice shaped more by emotion than by truth. Someone can have good intentions while offering counsel that does not reflect God’s heart. The question is not merely, “Does this advice make sense?” or “Do I agree with it?” The better question is, “Does this counsel reflect the wisdom of God?”
James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
When someone gives you counsel, examine it. Is it pure, or is there manipulation, selfishness, bitterness, or hidden motive behind it? Is it peace loving, or does it stir unnecessary conflict, suspicion, and division? Is it gentle, or does it rely on shame, intimidation, and harshness? Is it willing to yield, or does it demand its own way without humility? James 3:17 serves as a powerful litmus test for us to use when receiving counsel from others. However, this does not mean godly counsel will always be comfortable. Wise counsel can often involve correction. It may challenge our assumptions. It may tell us something we would rather not hear. But even difficult truth can carry the character of God’s wisdom.
As the writer and theologian C. S. Lewis said, “The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are” (Lewis, 2013, p. 99). There is tremendous value in surrounding ourselves with people whose lives and counsel point us toward God’s wisdom. We were never designed to navigate everything life throws at us alone. We should listen. We should learn. We should welcome the perspectives of mature, godly people. But we should also develop spiritual discernment to test what we hear. Before you accept advice simply because it is popular, persuasive, familiar, or confidently delivered, test it against the character of the wisdom found in James 3:17. Then take it to the Wonderful Counselor.
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) says, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Among the many names and descriptions of Jesus in the Bible, here we see Wonderful Counselor. A personal yet easily understood title that serves as a reminder that He is here to help guide us through life’s greatest challenges. Jesus does not merely possess wisdom; He embodies perfect wisdom. His counsel is never contaminated by pride, emotion, insecurity, selfish ambition, fear, or limited perspective. When we listen to Him, we are learning from the One who sees and understands the beginning, the middle, and the end.
Challenge: Test the opinions and advice you receive against James 3:17. Is it pure? Peace loving? Gentle? Humble and willing to yield? Then bring it honestly before Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, and ask Him to show you what wisdom looks like in your situation. Be willing not only to seek counsel, but to discern it. Then be courageous enough to follow through on the counsel that aligns with God’s word.
References:
Lewis, C. S. (2013). Selected literary essays. Cambridge University Press.