Why Ask For Advice If You’re Not Going To Take It?

I Thessalonians 5:11 & Colossians 3:21

Err on the side of taking advice from those who know more than you do

Soul Food

I Thessalonians 5:10,11

“He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Colossians 3:21

“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

Soul Search

• Can you think of a time when you asked for someone’s advice – someone you had good reason to believe would give sound advice – and then decided you didn’t want to accept the advice?
  Looking back, is it possible you should have followed their advice – why or why not?

• Are you someone who somewhat regularly asks for other peoples’ opinions or advice?
  Why or why not?
  Is this an area that you should grow in – seeking others’ counsel and advice?

• Are you someone who asks for others’ opinions or advice possibly too often?
  Is it possible to seek others’ counsel or advice too often?

• Are you someone who regularly or often heeds or follows others’ advice and counsel?
  Why or why not?
  Can you see the value in sometimes following someone else’s opinion or choice even if it might run contrary to what you think?
  What value might there be in it for that person?
  What value might there be in it for you?

Soul Moves

• If you are someone who often thinks your decisions and choices are best, make it a point to let someone else make the final decision.
  This can be a practice in humility.

• Practice not inserting your opinions and ideas into some situations.
  If they aren’t critical or huge life-impacting decisions, practice letting others have their way.
  Make it a point to build them up by affirming their ideas and choices.

• Make intentional decisions to ask others what they think.
  Be prepared to go with their decision.

• If you are someone who routinely gives in to the opinions and choices of others, practice asserting yourself and allow your voice to be heard – in a kind and peaceful – but firm – way.