Introduction

• Big idea: Those with wisdom know how to seek the right kind of advice and have the ability to take advice.
• Illustrations: May gives a number of humorous examples of unsolicited advice.
• Most unasked-for advice is worth what you paid for it, and taking the wrong advice can get you in trouble.
• Everyone needs advice to succeed in life.

- Proverbs 19:20; 12:15

Be selective.

• You have to choose who you'll listen to.

- Proverbs 13:7

• Stay away from advisors unable to manage their own lives.
• Seek out people you admire and respect, who have the credibility to give advice.

- Proverbs 13:20

• Look for someone who's "been there; done that."
• Find someone who faced successfully the same kind of challenge you're facing.
• Find someone who has your best interests at heart.
  -Illustration: George Bush, Sr., wouldn't have been the best advisor for Al Gore's presidential campaign.
  -Illustration: In a college Risk game, May's friend gave him bad advice and used it to win.
• Don't take advice from the wrong person. Be selective.

Be receptive.

• We hesitate to ask for advice because we fear hearing what we don't want to hear.
  -Illustration: A couple May married later broke up, both unwilling to seek help from him because they thought he'd be biased for the other.
  -Ecclesiastes 4:13
• My greatest challenges can be traced to a stubborn refusal to seek good advice.

-Proverbs 12:15

• You will flounder until you open your heart to the advice of godly people.
  -Illustration: Businesses need a board of directors, and churches need godly leaders.

Be objective.

• There's no one person you can go to for advice on everything, all the time.
• Getting advice means getting an objective view of your problem so that you can make the right decision.
• You need an objective view, because you will live with the consequences of decisions.

-Proverbs 15:22

• Go to several qualified, godly people and get their input.
• A variety of opinions lets you examine the situation from all sides.

-Proverbs 13:16

Conclusion:

• Asking for advice is a compliment, so make sure the person is deserving.
• Has this person "been there; done that"?
• Does this person have my best interests at heart?
• Will this person tell me what I need to hear, not just what I want to hear?
• Can this person be part of a group to help me develop an objective view of my life?
• Proverbs 19:20