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Advice from Godly Counsel

How does God Speak

Another way in which God speaks to us is through godly men and women, particularly when we are faced with important decisions or when we're unsure if we're hearing God clearly:

Prov 12:15 "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice."

It's easy for young Christians particularly to believe they've heard from God and immediately act on that, sometimes with disastrous results. God may speak to someone about going out on the mission field and the person instantly sells up his home and flies out to Africa. What he may not have realised is that God wants to take him through a preparation time first, which could take years. Daniel served for three years before he entered the king's service:

Dan 1:5 "The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service."

It is always wise to seek confirmation or take advice from godly men and women, for instance, the leaders in our church, before embarking on what we believe is God's direction.

Another side to this point is that very often people can see something in us that we don't see in ourselves. Many people testify to the fact that godly men and women have seen things in them, together with giving them opportunities to move out in a particular ministry. For instance, it may be that a young man shows potential as a leader. He may not see this himself but with encouragement and by being given opportunity, the gift will emerge. Paul did just that with Timothy:

2 Tim 1:2 "To Timothy, my dear son."
2 Tim 1:6 "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands."

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