Heeding Wise Counsel

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise."

Proverbs 12:15

The definition of a fool in the Proverbs is a person whose words and actions deny the existence of God.  Instead of looking to God for the right way he follows the impulses of his own heart.  The eyes of a fool are blind to the wisdom of God found in His word and sees no need for a so called "god" in his life.  The fool is unwittingly in a harrowing predicament and what is worse is he cannot see the danger of going his own way which leads to ruin.  When a boxer sees the glove coming he steels himself to absorb the shot, yet the fool does not notice the telegraphed punch his own folly brings like a hammer upon him.

There is a folly found in youth, a self-confident assumption of knowing all the important facts.  There is a folly found in older people too, a cynical attitude built on distrust and shattered expectations.  They risked following the counsel of others and found themselves taken advantage of.  The danger of heeding counsel is when the counselor is deceitful, corrupt, or just plain wrong.  In contrast to fools the wise are determined by their faith in God and reliance upon Him.  Solomon wrote in Proverbs 19:20-21, "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. ²¹ There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the LORD'S counsel--that will stand."  Blessed is the man who speaks with God, and more blessed is the one who hears Him.  It is the one who hears who is led by God in what to say and do.

God's word and counsel will stand forever.  To heed God's counsel is to walk wisely, and the idea of heeding is to hear, take to heart, and walk accordingly.  The implication of heeding God's counsel is it was not our natural impulse or desire.  This means humbling ourselves by laying aside our own ideas and plans with the intent to listen and do what God has said.  There is no shortage of advice concerning health, wealth, happiness, and fulfillment inside and outside the church, and even well-meaning people can lead us astray from God's will with their convincing arguments.  That is why it is critical for us to know God's word and not to deviate from His timeless truth in belief and practice.  Familiarity with the genuine helps us recognise cheap imitations.

Jesus said in John 10:27-30, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ²⁸ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. ³⁰ I and My Father are one."  Amid the confused multitudes of voices shouting for our attention, the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ speaks.  Do you recognise the voice of the One who has opened your eyes, the One who has become for us wisdom from God (1 Cor. 1:30-31)?  Let Jesus Christ be the One we seek, heed, and follow along with others who fear God.