Unsolicited advice might be often met with gratitude… or quite the alternative. We’ve often run into people in church circles who don’t want advice unless they’ve asked for it. Others may sally forth with the admonishment anyway, believing unsolicited advice can convey spiritual truths others are not looking for to listen to.
Ultimately, we must do what we at all times must in these situations: go to Scripture and see what it says.
So, is the Bible pro or against unsolicited advice? Let’s dive into God’s Word and see.
Where Is Scripture for Unsolicited Advice?
We do see many passages in Scripture about wisdom. Proverbs seems stuffed with verses (Proverbs 12:26, for example) about the way to take instruction well.
Considering the wisest king ever to walk the earth wrote those passages, we will actually take these verses to heart.
The Apostle Paul also gives a healthy dose of recommendation to churches he visits. However, Paul has the authority to achieve this because he did life along with them. He witnessed firsthand what the congregants went through and will give proper advice because he knew them deeply.
And Jesus does place a heavy emphasis on hearing the word of God and putting it into motion.
From these examples, we will see some instances where unsolicited advice is warranted. Let’s break it down into two major categories.
1. Directly from God: If Jesus has a say on the matter, we don’t get to contest him. So if we read a Scripture passage wherein God speaks, and it stirs up our conviction, we must always listen.
2. From People Who Know Us Well (and Have Our Best Interests at Heart): Paul knew the churches he visited. He tends to list people by name at individual churches comparable to Corinth, Galatia, etc. He, due to this fact, has the authority to offer advice because he seeks the very best for the churches.
We must also do not forget that Paul didn’t have a hidden agenda. He doesn’t tell the church in Corinth to excommunicate one among its members solely for Paul’s gain.
Often, when people give advice, there’s a hidden profit for them.
Perhaps a parent tells a bride-to-be to remain of their state as an alternative of moving away, however the hidden intent is that the parent desires to be closer to the kid. Perhaps the bride-to-be could be going against God’s plan by staying.
With this in mind, let’s look to Scripture for reasons to caution ourselves around unsolicited advice.
Where Is Scripture Against Unsolicited Advice?
Have you ever heard of a person named Job? If you haven’t, let me provide you with the rundown.
Job lived righteously; he did nothing fallacious. Satan essentially challenged God to make a bet. If Satan took away all the things from Job, surely Job would sin.
So Satan takes away all the things, and to make matters worse, he gives Job a horrendously painful skin disease.
Job’s friends sit with him in silence… after which they open their mouths.
They’re convinced he must’ve sinned one way or the other. They give him 40 chapters price of unsolicited advice on making himself right with God so he might be restored to his former fortune.
How does God respond? With anger. He even says he would’ve worn out Job’s friends for his or her faulty advice if not for Job’s righteousness.
The Bible also has plenty to say about false prophets and other people who advise without consulting God. Especially in the event that they speak within the name of the Lord, they’re breaking the commandment to not take God’s name in vain. As they’re spouting off “wisdom” that God never gave them.
Furthermore, I fear that many Christians will resort to unsolicited advice for, for lack of higher words, a cop-out. When an individual is suffering of their congregation, advice is simple.
Listening or providing for necessities is far harder. We may tell people to “trust in God” and “pray more” as an alternative of being that very answer to the prayer they seek.
James admonishes believers to place their faith into motion. We wouldn’t give our brother a stone or a snake if he’s hungry. So why will we resort to advice after we’re essentially giving them spiritual stones?
Why Should We Be Careful about Giving Unsolicited Advice?
We can split reasons not to offer unsolicited advice into two categories:
We Do Not Have the Authority (or Godly Inspiration) to Do So: God doesn’t take kindly to people speaking falsely on his behalf. If you truly imagine God has given you a word of recommendation to talk to someone, seek the advice of Scripture. Pray. Be sure before you give it. And even so, qualify it. Say, “If this isn’t from the Lord, disregard it.” It’s higher to err on the side of caution.
We’re Doing it as a Means to Avoid Having to Help: Finances are tight. The economy is rough. We’re busy. We have children and work affairs to take care of. It is way easier to inform someone to “select joy” and “pray more” than to assist them. The Bible has strict warnings against these people. Pharisees often acted this fashion. Always desperate to provide religious guidance but never desperate to alleviate poverty or distress.
It isn’t to say you can’t couple advice with a present. We just must care of our congregation’s physical needs before most individuals will allow us to take care of their spiritual ones. Jesus fed the crowds, in any case.
Why Do Christians Gravitate to Unsolicited Advice?
Having passed through (and still am going through) essentially the most difficult period of my life, it has blown me away the variety of Christians who’re quick to inform me to “keep the religion” or “pray more.”
And the variety of non-Christians who haven’t resorted to advice but fairly helped with my physical needs.
And many believers I even have spoken to can relate to this.
So why will we resort to unsolicited advice when, 90 percent of the time, a physical motion of giving or listening could serve higher?
I could assert several reasons, but I’ll break it into three easy categories.
1. We wish to be the fix. Christians can often struggle with savior complexes. We want to offer the string of words that can pull someone out of a depression or give them the hope to make it through their trial. Although admirable in intentions, this often backfires.
2. We feel unheard. The individuals who have given me unsolicited advice normally have little or no authority in their very own circles. Sometimes, they were older individuals who felt threatened or edged out of their churches by younger people. Sometimes, they were women who felt limited by their churches not allowing them to show others. If we feel unheard, we are going to jump at the chance to advise those hurting. In a way, it makes us feel like we now have a grasp of authority. Ironically, only those with true authority should be giving spiritual advice.
3. We wish to help… but we should not have true skin in the sport. Advice is simple. Buying someone groceries to feed their family for the week isn’t easy. We could have the guts to assist, but not the funds or time. So we resort to advice.
If you are feeling the necessity to offer someone unsolicited advice, ask the Holy Spirit to offer you discernment. And if he means that you can tell someone an excellent word, it never hurts to couple it with a free meal or coffee with the person. That way, they know you propose to handle them physically, too.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/AntonioGuillem
Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, and the creator of just about 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com for clean books in most genres, great for adults and youngsters.
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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and don’t necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.
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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and don’t necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.
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