How Well Do You Listen to Advice? (Proverbs 12)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

How well do you listen to advice?

Proverbs 12 serves as a continuation of the wisdom teachings found throughout the Book of Proverbs. It highlights the importance of integrity, righteousness, and the power of words in shaping one's life. This chapter contrasts the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing that honesty, diligence, and wise counsel lead to blessings and favor from God, while deceit, laziness, and malicious speech lead to ruin.

The main message of Chapter 12, and all of Proverbs for that matter, is Proverbs 12:15, which says, “A fool’s way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise.” Solomon “defines ‘wise’ and ‘fool’ in terms of acceptance or rejection of authoritative counsel.”^[1]

In verse 16, we see one of the primary attributes of foolish people is a lack of self-restraint. Solomon writes, “A fool’s displeasure is known at once, but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.” As Duane Garrett says, “Though the conceited fool thinks within himself that he is upright and without need of correction (v. 15), his lack of uprightness becomes obvious to others when he fails to exhibit self-control (v. 16). His false self-evaluation is corrected by public evaluation.”^[2] Garrett goes on to say, “Fools are so sure of themselves that they never seek advice, but the wise readily seek it out. Those who think they know it all are foolish, but those who look for guidance and knowledge are wise.”^[3]

Depending on our personality, it can be difficult to receive advice from others—especially if it’s unsolicited. But as Derek Kidner writes, “We show ourselves men of reason when we listen (RSV) to reason, and test ourselves for prejudice. The person who always knows best may be the only one unconscious of his real name.”^[4]

A good question to ask yourself is this: Who has permission to speak hard truths into my life, and when was the last time they did so? Those who are quick to offer advice often do not have as much to offer as those who wait to be asked. So, we need to seek advice by surrounding ourselves with people who challenge our thinking. Otherwise, we’re prone to become a fool in our own eyes.

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise | Heavenly Father, I praise you for your wisdom that far exceeds my understanding. In a world where my own ways can seem right, I am reminded through your Word that true wisdom comes from listening and seeking counsel beyond myself. You are the source of all wisdom, guiding me through your teachings and the counsel of those who walk in your ways.

Release | Lord, I come before you to release my pride and the stubbornness of my heart that often thinks my way is the best. I lay down my foolishness at your feet, asking for a humble spirit that is open to correction and guidance. Help me to let go of my need to be right and embrace the wisdom that comes from you and those you have placed in my life.

Ask | I ask for a heart that is receptive to advice and for the discernment to know which counsel aligns with your will. Give me the wisdom to seek guidance, to listen carefully, and to weigh my decisions against your Word. Teach me to value the input of others, recognizing that you can speak through them to guide me in the right path.

Yield | I yield to your will, trusting that you will guide me in the way of wisdom. I commit to not only seeking advice but also to listening and acting upon it in a way that honors you. Teach me to be wise in my decisions, to listen more than I speak, and to consider the counsel of the wise. May my life reflect the humility and wisdom that comes from yielding to you and the godly advice of others.

A Challenge to Act Like Christ  

One of the primary themes we see in the New Testament is the gospel presented in the context of community. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, ²⁴ “And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” We need each other.

Isolated Christians often have the most messed up theology. In the quiet of their homes, they sound wise. But when they spew their opinions out loud or on social media, they sound like a fool. There is a reason this is the case. As Alexander Maclaren writes, “In the wisest sense, it is true that a mark of folly is self-opinionativeness; that a man who has himself for teacher has a fool for scholar; that the test of wisdom is willingness to be taught.”^[5]

In an age where posturing and self-assuredness are everything, we must practice the discipline of humility by actively seeking the advice of wise people. In doing so, we become more like Christ.

^[1]Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 1–15, New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004), 532-533.

^[2]Duane A. Garrett, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, ed. E. Ray Clendenen and Kenneth A. Mathews, vol. 14 of The New American Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 131.

^[3]Duane A. Garrett, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, ed. E. Ray Clendenen and Kenneth A. Mathews, vol. 14 of The New American Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 131.

^[4]Derek Kidner, Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 17 of Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. IVP/Accordance electronic ed. (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1964), 92.

^[5]Alexander Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture, Accordance electronic ed. (Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 2006), paragraph 7404.