Originally Posted by Mike Young May 2007

Over the years we’ve all laughed about the fact that the stereotypical guy refuses to stop and ask for directions. (This is because having to stop to ask for directions would certainly imply that he was lost; something that a man never wants to be!) I remember reading that Davy Crockett claimed that he had never been lost. He did however admit that he was once ‘bewildered’ in the woods for three days.

Have you ever been ‘bewildered’?

Then there’s the whole other ‘directions’ thing. The first move that many of us make when it’s time to assemble a gas grill or a bicycle is to find the directions and toss them aside. Preferring instead to fumble through the assembly process; thinking at first, “How hard can it be? I can do this!” But ultimately reaching a point at which you’re saying “I wish my wife would go to bed so I can look at the directions.”

Guys, there’s just something about having a Y chromosome that makes us independent and bullheaded at times. Let me pull a Dr. Phil here, “How’s that working for you?”

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes work hard to convince myself and others that I don’t need any help. I can do it by myself. It’s simply not true; for any of us. No one of us was created to stand alone. We celebrate fictional heroes who have stood up to danger and destruction. They seem larger than life, and they are because they don’t exist. Where is all this going?

Stacy and I are participating in the Crown Financial Ministries Small Group Study at our home church. Last week we talked about the issue of seeking wise counsel. I’ve read all the verses before but never read them all together in rapid succession like this.

Here are some, but not all of the scriptures we pondered last week regarding our need to seek out wise counsel.

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

Pride only breeds quarrels, 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

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Psalms 16:7

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalms 32:8

But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel. In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wasteland they put God to the test. So he gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease upon them. Psalms 106:13-15

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. Psalms 119:24

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders for I obey your precepts. Psalms 119:98-100

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. Proverbs 11:14

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. Psalms 1:1

Men, I don’t know about you but I need to be reminded of these verses from time to time. Sometimes when I’m trying to go it alone, I need to remember to slow down and ask some men that I trust to offer advice. But, I also need to make sure that I hold their advice up to the standard of scripture to make sure they are in agreement. God wants what’s best for me and my family. Shouldn’t I trust Him to lead me to His best? Shouldn’t you?

Let’s try to seek out wise counsel from men who walk with God and from God himself in every aspect of our lives.