The culmination of all the wisdom of every human being does not even come close to the wisdom of God. And yet, some will seek advice from people before asking Him for wisdom. Taking counsel from others can be a very good thing; unless, it excludes God. It is one thing to go to God first, and He leads you to seek insight from another. It’s quite another to seek someone apart from Him, regardless of how spiritually mature someone might be. James says, “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” (James 1:5). What happens if you take advice from another or even a group of people, and their counsel does not line up with God’s opinion on the matter? No matter who they may be or how many counselors you may have, if their opinions differ from God’s, they’re still wrong.
The question arises about the disposition of the one seeking counsel. Does he want true wisdom, or does he strictly want opinions that match his own, even if they are wrong? Biblically speaking, being like-minded means that the aim is to align with God’s way of thinking. True agreement agrees with Him. Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Obviously, it is wise to have counsellors who are willing to speak the truth, whether we like what they say or not. It really boils down to integrity and trust. Some want what they want, irrespective of it being good in the eyes of the Lord. That is called lust. Others don’t trust God to give them the best things. That is called fear. Yet, some think they know better than God. That is arrogance. If a person continuously prays, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done,” yet he really means “My kingdom come, my will be done,” he is praying vain repetitions. We cannot afford to attempt to impose our will over God’s. If you want a peaceable life, embrace His wisdom and His will.
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
