Why should we only allow those who faithfully minister to lead or vote?

When you are looking for advice, don’t go to the worldly. Don’t go to those who are unsuccessful in life. Don’t go to those who will just tell you what you want to hear. Find the godly. Find men and women of character. Find people who are strong and have a servant’s heart. They will guide you well. If you listen to fools, your destruction is assured.

• Proverbs 10:21 The godly give good advice, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

In the end, you will know who gave you wise advice. The godly person who points you in the direction of God’s will shall be recognized in the long run. Those fools who keep hurting people with their foolishness will find themselves alone and without respect. If you recognize a fool, then cut them off. Don’t let them deceive you with their vain human philosophies. Do this before it’s too late.

• Proverbs 10: 31 The godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.

If you truly want to be the best that you can be, you need to envision yourself as a wise king. Surround yourself with good advisors. Search for the godliest, wisest people you can find and consciously make them your counsel. Ask them if they would be willing to be a part of your life. Let them know what you are doing. Get as many as you can. Pay them if you have to – but get the best.

• Proverbs 11:14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety.

If you don’t choose your advisors well, if you allow the wicked to whisper their flatteries into your ear you can rest assured that treachery is on the way. You will be betrayed. By the way, you can tell if you are dealing with the godly or the wicked according to their characteristics. If they have betrayed others, don’t think they won’t betray you.

• Proverbs 12:5 The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.

It doesn’t matter how smart you are. Someone, somewhere probably knows more about it than you do. Someone might have a unique perspective on this matter and if you don’t try to find it, you’ll live to regret it. However, even the wisest human can make mistakes. That’s why you need to get as much advice as possible – as long as you don’t use your search for advice as an excuse for inaction.

• 15:22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.

Be smart. Travel. Visit other people who do what you are doing. Try new ways. Test new methods. You can’t do much about your looks but you can always borrow brains.

• Proverbs 18:15 Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.

Some people may collect coins; others may enjoy stamps. You be sure you collect wisdom and truth.

• Proverbs 19:20 Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life.

All of us will have struggles from time to time. All of us will have to go to battle at some point in our lives. It’s not a question of” if” but of “when”. Just make sure that you don’t go into it half-cocked.

• Proverbs 20:18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without the advice of others.

All the best advice in the world is not worth one truth from the Word of God. If God clearly and plainly says to do something, you don’t need to pray about it. You don’t need to ask a bunch of advisors about it. All you need to do is obey it.

• 21:30 Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the Lord.

Men tend to value strength. We value big strapping brave leaders. But a little bit of knowledge will beat a whole lot of brute strength any day. Just ask anybody who practices martial arts. Be known for your knowledge. Be known for your wisdom. Be known for your humility and teachable spirit.

• Proverbs 24:5-6 A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge is more powerful than a strong man. ⁶So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many counselors.

You need to look for competent people and promote them. You need to develop and train your people so that the overall quality and excellence improves with time. You need to discourage incompetence and trouble making.

• Proverbs 14:35 A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing; he is angry with those who cause trouble.

Find those who speak the truth with compassion and elevate them. Keep honest people around you.

• Proverbs 16:13 The king is pleased with righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. 

Find some people that you trust; honest people; people who will tell you like it is; people who have been successful in the appropriate field; and listen to them. In the end you must make the decision but if possible, don’t make it until you get their input.

• Proverbs 20:18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without the advice of others.

Who should you seek out and promote? Those with pure hearts and gracious speech. The combination of the proper motives with the ability to communicate truth effectively simply can’t be beat.

• Proverbs 22:11 Anyone who loves a pure heart and gracious speech is the king’s friend.

Find the competent and put them to work. On the other hand, find the incompetent and train them if possible and fire them if not.

• Proverbs 22:29 Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.

There is a popular fallacy that teaches that in order to be truly “fair” we must be willing to listen to everyone – even if their advice or lifestyles do not match the Word. However, we are told to not put those whose lifestyles or ideas are contrary to the Master’s in positions of authority. We are not to listen to them!

• Proverbs 29:2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

Note: Everyone will be happier if you put the godly in charge. They will look after their people, they will be humble, they will deal with the whole person instead of just looking at them as cogs in the machine, and they will treat their people fairly. If you let the wicked take charge, you will soon start losing people.

If you let yourself start listening to the flatteries of liars who only tell you what you want to hear, then soon all your advisers will be wicked. Your leadership will effectively be over. You don’t want to surround yourself with people who are constantly critical – that’s not what it’s saying. The criticism must be valid.

• Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler honors liars, all his advisers will be wicked.

Is sin increasing in your group? Take a second look at your leadership. But if you are getting discouraged because it seems the odds are stacked against you, be assured that God is on your side and He will let you see the downfall of the wicked.

• Proverbs 29:16 When the wicked are in authority, sin increases. But the godly will live to see the tyrant’s downfall.

Who do we put in charge?

They must be godly and without reproach.

• Psalm 101:6 I will keep a protective eye on the godly, so they may dwell with me in safety. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.

They must be righteous and speak honestly.

• Proverbs 16:13 The king is pleased with righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. 

They must already be serving faithfully.

• Proverbs 25:13 Faithful messengers are as refreshing as snow in the heat of summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.
• 1 Corinthians 4:2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.

They must know what they are doing.

• Proverbs 14:35 A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing; he is angry with those who cause trouble.
• Proverbs 22:29 Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.

They must not be trouble makers.

• Proverbs 14:35 A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing; he is angry with those who cause trouble.
• Proverbs 24:21-22 My child, fear the Lord and the king, and don’t associate with rebels. ²²For you will go down with them to sudden disaster. Who knows where the punishment from the Lord and the king will end?

They should be open to new ideas.

• Proverbs 18:15 Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.