GOOD ADVICE VERSUS GOD'S ADVICE

"...THE KING SAID TO NATHAN THE PROPHET, 'SEE NOW, I DWELL IN A HOUSE OF CEDAR, BUT THE ARK OF GOD DWELLS WITHIN TENT CURTAINS.' NATHAN SAID TO THE KING, 'GO, DO ALL THAT IS IN YOUR MIND, FOR THE LORD IS WITH YOU." 
II SAMUEL 7:2-3

King David and Nathan are sitting around one day. The king is aging.  The giants have been slain and enemies defeated.  David has been given rest on every side.  Maybe the "rest" is making him "rest"-less?  Maybe he needs a new dream to fulfill?  Whatever the reason, he throws out this idea to Nathan, "I have a beautiful palace to live in; why does the Lord not have a house to dwell in also?" (my paraphrase of II Samuel 7:2-3)   From the time of the Exodus until now, God's holy dwelling place has been the tent of meeting, a moveable structure designed by God, but still basically a tent.  Nathan agrees. "Sounds like a good idea to me!  God always gives you great ideas and is always with you, so do it." (my paraphrase of II Samuel 7:2-3)

A funny thing happens after Nathan leaves that night.  God comes to him and says, "No, your advice is wrong; go back and tell David not to build a temple.  I never asked him to do this for Me.  Instead, I will have his son build one for me. But also tell him this: David is trying to build something that will physically endure, but I will make his kingdom spiritually endure forever." (my paraphrase of II Samuel 7:4-17)

I wonder: How hard was it for Nathan to go back and say, "I am a prophet of God, but I was wrong?"  Prophets of the Old Testament heard directly from God and were never wrong or else they were not considered a prophet.  It says in Deuteronomy 18:22: "When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken.  The prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him."  And that was exactly the trouble: Nathan had spoken presumptuously without hearing from God or seeking His counsel.

Nathan did not hesitate, however, after God spoke with him.  He was faithful, returned to the king, and repeated every word to David as God had commanded.  They were truthful words.  They stung a little but also held a great promise.  David would immediately go before the Lord, praising Him and questioning Him.  "Who am I, O Lord, God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far?"  (II Samuel 7:18-29)

Sometimes good advice is not God's advice. We can get mixed up between the two, so how do we discern the difference?

SEEK GOD'S COUNSEL FIRST: His advice will not conflict with Scripture. "Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors." (Psalm 119:24) Sometimes it takes time to hear Him in prayer. Wait for Him. Abide in Him. Kneel before Him.

SEEK THE COUNSEL OF FRIENDS WHO ARE WALKING WITH GOD SECOND: "Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22) Do you only want to be confirmed, or do you have relationships than can both admonish and rejoice with you? Many times well-intentioned friends can be misguided because they do not want us to suffer or they do not want the relationship to suffer by speaking the truth. A trusted friend will do both. Seek out wise counsel, then listen with discerning ears.

How about you? When someone asks for your advice, do you offer your opinion up on the spot all too willingly and hastily, or do you ask to pray about it and then come back with an answer? Then, if your answer proves to be wrong, are you willing to go back and admit it? Here are some things to consider when you are pondering on what to advise:

· Is your advice rooted in prayer before our Almighty God and Wonderful Counselor?(Isaiah 9:6)

· Is your advice rooted in the grace and truth of Jesus? (John 1:14)

· Is your advice rooted in the leading of the Holy Spirit? (Romans 8:14-15)

· Is your advice rooted in His Word? (Psalm 119:105)

· Is your advice trusting God by faith? (II Corinthians 5:7)

· Is your advice based on God's timing? (II Peter 3:8-9)

· Is your advice promoting the gospel? (Philippians 1:27)

· Is your advice based on what will bring God glory? (I Peter 4:11)

"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowlege of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:9-10) 

Prove to be a trusted counselor by trusting in Him first.