Do You Listen to Advice?

Con Campbell wrote about President Abraham Lincoln wanting to please a politician, so he issued a command to transfer certain Union Army regiments. When the secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, received the order, he refused to carry it out. He said the president was a fool. Lincoln was told what Stanton had said, and he replied: “If Stanton said I’m a fool, then I must be, for he is nearly always right. I’ll see for myself.” As the two men talked, the president quickly realized that his decision was a serious mistake, and quickly withdrew it. Though Stanton had called Lincoln a fool, the president proved wise by not digging in his heels when Stanton disagreed with him. Lincoln listened to advice, considered it and changed his mind.

The Book of Proverbs is an interesting book with prophetic messages at random.  The messages don’t seem to be in any particular order but James will later call them “wisdom that comes from heaven”. (James 3:17) I think there are two things we must take a look at here. The first is – Have you ever encountered someone who won’t listen to wise advice?  The second is – Have you ever refused to listen to advice? Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”

Have you ever met someone who thinks they are always right? I think we all know someone who doesn’t listen to anyone and who sometimes is right and sometimes very wrong. Knowing that everyone makes mistakes, only fools assume they’re the exception. If we want to make wise decisions, we all need to learn how to listen to the wise advice of others, even when we initially disagree. Abraham Lincoln knew that his friend was wise so he listened and changed his mind. He didn’t take being called a “fool” an insult but rather went and talked and listened before making  a final decision. Oh, what a better world this would be if we listened more! Sometimes this is exactly how God works for our good. (v. 2)

Prayer: God of wisdom, teach me Your ways and help me to avoid folly. Thank you for putting others in my life who can offer helpful advice when I need it. Amen.

Proverbs 12: 15 – “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
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