How to Discern Advice from Others

Never should we presume the advice from any person to be final and authoritative.

Only the Word of God carries such import.

The fallout from following even good advice can lead to very bad outcomes:

Despite the sure promise from God that Abraham's child of promise would come through his lawful wife Sarah, the wife became fearful and impatient:

"Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

"And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai." (Genesis 16:1-2)

The surrogacy through Hagar the bondmaid yielded Ishmael, and created nothing but strife in the household of Abraham. From the moment that Hagar conceived, she despised her mistress Sarah, who remained still unfruitful. Sarah grew weary of her bondmaid's contemptuous behavior:

"And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.

"But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face."

So, out of fear, our of false speculation, Sarah attempt to get a child for herself through her own efforts, and ultimately created a worse situation than when she had remained patiently barren.

Later, after Sarah did conceive a child with her husband, another source of strife emerged, this time when Abraham's son through Hagar persecuted Isaac, the child of promise.

"And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. (Genesis 21:9)

Sarah then spoke to Abraham:

"Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac." (v. 10)

Of course, Abraham was not pleased with this directive from his wife:

"And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son." (v11)

Abraham's reluctance was understandable. Not just because he was the father, but because the last time that she had listened to his wife, the result was conflict between mistress and bondmaid, followed by the birth of Ishmael. Why listen to her now, since the result would probably end up with a terrible outcome?

Then the Lord spoke:

"And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called." (Genesis 21:12)

The Word of the Lord confirmed the righteousness of Sarah's place and plea.

When anyone advises us on how to approach or settle a matter, let us always confirm the advice with the Word of God, which can never steer us wrong.

The first time, Abraham heeded his wife without heeding confirmation from God. The second time, God affirmed what Sarah commanded, and the result was blessed!

To discern the word of others, always measure it by the Word of God, that the proposal or position of others glorified Him who leads us into all righteousness!