Listening to Wise Advice 听取明智建言
Dexu Xia
The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Proverbs 12:15
During the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln once found himself wanting to please a politician, so he issued a command to transfer certain Union Army regiments. When the secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, received the order, he refused to carry it out. He said that the president was a fool. Lincoln was told what Stanton had said, and he replied: “If Stanton said I’m a fool, then I must be, for he is nearly always right. I’ll see for myself.” As the two men talked, the president quickly realized that his decision was a serious mistake, and without hesitation he withdrew it. Though Stanton had called Lincoln a fool, the president proved wise by not digging in his heels when Stanton disagreed with him. Instead, Lincoln listened to advice, considered it, and changed his mind.
Have you ever encountered someone who simply wouldn’t listen to wise advice? (See 1 Kings 12:1–11.) It can be infuriating, can’t it? Or, even more personal, have you ever refused to listen to advice? As Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” People may not always be right, but the same goes for us! Knowing that everyone makes mistakes, only fools assume they’re the exception. Instead, let’s exercise godly wisdom and listen to the wise advice of others—even if we initially disagree. Sometimes that’s exactly how God works for our good (v. 2).
Why are you sometimes reluctant to listen to the wise advice of others? How can you be sure the advice you receive reflects true wisdom?
God of wisdom, teach me Your ways and help me to avoid folly. Thank You for putting others in my life who are in a position to offer helpful advice when I need it.
愚妄人所行的，在自己眼中看为正直；惟智慧人肯听人的劝教。—箴言12章15节
在美国南北内战期间，林肯总统曾为了要讨好一位政治人物，而下令调动北军的某几个军团。当战争部长史坦顿收到命令时，不但拒绝执行，而且还说总统很愚昧。有人将史坦顿所说的话告诉林肯，林肯却回应说：“要是史坦顿说我愚昧，那我必定是愚昧的，因为他几乎总是对的。让我去找出问题在哪里。”在林肯总统与史坦顿交谈之后，他明白自己之前所下的命令是个严重的错误。虽然林肯被史坦顿批评为愚昧，但他的反应却证明了他的睿智。因为在自己的看法受到史坦顿的反对时，林肯没有固执己见、刚愎自用，反倒听取建言，认真思考，改变想法。
你曾经遇过不肯听取明智建言的人吗？（参阅列王纪上12章1-11节）那真让人恼火吧？甚或你自己是否也曾拒绝采纳建言呢？如箴言12章15节说：“愚妄人所行的，在自己眼中看为正直；惟智慧人肯听人的劝教。”人不可能永不犯错，当然包括我们自己！需知每个人都会犯错，只有愚昧人才会以为自己是例外。相反地，我们当学习以上帝的智慧行事，听取他人所给予的明智建言──即使起初我们并不同意对方的看法。有时候，上帝就是这样让我们得益处（2节）。
为何有时候你不愿听取别人的明智建言？
你如何确定所采纳的建言富有真智慧？
让我远避愚行。感谢祢在我生命中安排许多人，
在我需要帮助时提供智慧的建言。