Instruction
Does God give us instruction? You bet! The book of Proverbs was written
for "attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of
insight; for...doing what is right and just and fair" (Proverbs 1:2-3).
God gave instructions to the Israelites through prophets and to Jesus'
parents through angels and dreams. God doesn't expect us to guess our
way through life. For situations in which he doesn't give explicit instruction,
he promises to give wisdom to those who ask (see James 1:5-6). His instructions
warn us against mistakes, encourage us to persevere and make possible
good interpersonal relations.
Rejecting the wise advice from the older men
and accepting the foolish advice from younger men proved to be a king's
undoing.
1 Kings 12:8-14
2 Chronicles 10:8-14
A wise person doesn't ignore good advice and instruction but listens
to it.
Proverbs 1:25-26,30-31; 19:20
God is wiser than humans; we should listen to what he says and
not tell him what to do.
Romans 16:25-27
1 Corinthians 2:16
God can personally give instruction through another person.
1 Corinthians 14:6,26
If you believe you're getting specific instruction from God, it's
good to confirm it with someone else whose godly character is evident,
and to measure it against the Bible.
Proverbs 1:5; 19:20
Acts 17:11
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
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