When Bad Advice Sounds Good

The advice sounded good when I got it. I can’t say I liked the advice; I did not. But it sounded good enough for me to follow. So I did. But there was a problem. A major one. My job isn’t to follow human advice. I’m supposed to follow Jesus. So where did I go wrong? Hard question, huh? No, actually it’s plain and simple. Do you remember what Solomon in the Old Testament prayed for? Wisdom from God. And do you know what the Bible teaches in the Book of James? To ask God for wisdom because He gives it “liberally.”

My problem wasn’t ultimately that I got bad advice that sounded good. My issue was that God’s wisdom comes from God’s Word, and I already knew what to do. I simply didn’t do it. More precisely, I became doubtful. I wavered, just like the Bible warns about. I went back and forth, but all along I knew the right thing. Because God showed me in His Word exactly what to do.

I’m paying the consequences right now, and it ain’t pretty. Hurts a bunch, in fact. But the Lord, in His infinite love and mercy, understands I messed up. And He forgives me when I come to Him in repentance. I’ve been tossed about on the sea some from the bad advice I took, but the good thing is I remember where to get the right advice. God’s Word. Jesus is the one to follow.

Sometimes the Lord’s advice sounds bad because it’s hard. But when it’s the Lord’s advice, at the end of the day it’s always good. Because God is always just that. Good. He’s a good God –  all the time.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 NASB

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