How to Give the Best Advice

So the other day I put my foot in my mouth – again!
Yeah, I know. Terrible habit.
I offered advice that was not solicited so, therefore, it was not received well.
Opps! My bad.
I walked away thinking, “Why didn’t I just keep my advice to myself?”
Proverbs 10:19 says, “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”

Sorry LORD!

Sometimes, I think I have the answers to everyone’s problems. After offending quite a few people, I've realized I don't.

BUT…

I do know where to point them to the ONE who does have the answers.

God is teaching me to zip it, lock it, and to only open it when He provides the words.

To prove this point, a lady came up to me the other day and told me, “I want to talk to you.”
Immediately, my mind went into panic mode thinking, “Uh oh, I’m in trouble now!”

She said, “I want to thank you. A few weeks ago, you gave me an encouraging word.”

“I did?”

“Yes, I told you about some difficulties I was going through and you encouraged me to pray for God’s favor.”

Then she proceeded to tell me how she went home that night and started praying for God’s favor. She was so excited because God had answered her prayers and had opened doors of opportunity and blessing for her and her family.

I gave her a big hug and thanked her for sharing. As she walked out the door, glowing with the joy of the Holy Spirit, I was dumbfounded. I seriously could not remember a single word I had said to her weeks ago. I vaguely remember the conversation but I cannot recall a single word I said.

That is the way God works in my life.

All of my great advice or words of encouragement are not mine. They are His. He gets all the glory. He gets all the praise. I get complete mental block. But that’s OK. I got a nice hug.

As I pondered this experience, I realized that since January 1st, I’d committed to doing 3 things:
1. Praying daily for God’s Wisdom and a deeper revelation of His Word.
2. Reading my Bible and actually studying it using online teachings.
3. And committing time to pray in the Spirit (praying in tongues).

I am trying to hide God’s Word in my heart. I am feasting on it. I am listening to sermons and prophetic words being spoken by good Bible teachers and lovers of Jesus Christ. I'm seeking God with all my heart. I am drawing close to the heart and mind of God by praying in the Spirit.

Now, when these divine appointments come up, I want what comes out of my mouth to be God’s Word and not my mumbo jumbo babble . God says that His Word never comes back void and it always successfully fulfills its purpose. (Isaiah 55:11)

In Psalm 37:30-31 God says, “The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from His path.” In Proverbs 10:11 God says, "The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain."

So before I leave my house every morning, and before I put my foot in mouth again, I want my prayer to be:

Psalm 141 (MSG)
GOD, come close. Come quickly!
Open your ears—it’s my voice you’re hearing!
Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers.
POST A GUARD AT MY MOUTH, GOD, SET A WATCH AT THE DOOR OF MY LIPS!
Don’t let me so much as dream of evil or thoughtlessly fall into bad company.
And these people who only do wrong— don’t let them lure me with their sweet talk!
May the Just One set me straight, may the Kind One correct me, don’t let sin anoint my head.
I’m praying hard against their evil ways! …
But GOD, dear Lord, I only have eyes for you.
Since I’ve run for dear life to you, take good care of me.
Protect me from their evil scheming, from all their demonic subterfuge.
Let the wicked fall flat on their faces, while I walk off without a scratch.
In Jesus Name. Amen.

So, this blogger is only open for advice when the Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, is living and breathing and speaking from this heart.

How about you? Are you in need of some good advice? Look to the Wonderful Counselor, open the pages of His Bible, and you will find the answers to what your heart is seeking. God has promised, "When you seek me with all your heart, you will find me." (Jeremiah 29:13)

Love,
Yolanda