How to Get Good Godly AdviceНамуна

Day Six - Submit Yourself

It takes maturity to ask for someone’s advice and then submit to their counsel. Sometimes our pride will rise up and we’ll think, “I don’t have to listen to them. I hear from God too!” That’s the same mentality Aaron and Miriam had in Numbers 12:2 when they rose up against Moses and said, “Hasn’t God spoken through us also?”

But God heard them say that, and after He scolded them, Miriam suddenly found she was covered with leprosy! I’m not saying that being proud will cause you to become a leper, but my point is: Yes, God does speak to you and through you, but there are times when all of us need to listen and submit ourselves to others. Don’t be too proud to receive good counsel.

One sign of spiritual maturity is being able to submit to others’ advice. It’s a biblical principle. We never want to get to the point where we think we know everything or are above receiving advice, direction, or correction. Submission is not bad news; it’s good news! It’s a place of safety and balance.

Hebrews 13:17 takes this one step further when talking about our submitting to pastors and those in spiritual leadership over us. It says to “obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

A lot of words in that verse are socially unacceptable in our world today. Such words as “obey” and “rule over you” and “be submissive.” But it’s the Bible—it’s God’s truth—which means it’s for your benefit.

Notice the verse says your spiritual leaders “must give account” for your soul. That doesn’t mean they are dictators over you or should make every decision for you. They are not meant to rule over every area of your life—or abuse you in any way. It just means that God has placed them in your life like a shepherd, to help and guide you. So don’t be too proud to ask for and heed their advice.