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Be Careful Who You Turn To
‘Pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.’ Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV
God never meant us to ‘fly solo’. We all need help and encouragement from time to time, but be careful who you turn to.
(1) Don’t go to someone who can’t handle your problem. By sharing your situation with them you may experience temporary relief, but what if they’re not mature enough to handle it? Jesus said, ‘If anyone causes one of these little ones… to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.’ (Matthew 18:6 NIV)
(2) It’s ok to turn to a proven friend as long as they’re spiritually mature. The Bible says, ‘A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.’ (Proverbs 17:17 NIV) But you must know they’re a true friend. Peter writes, ‘Love covers over a multitude of sins.’ (1 Peter 4:8 NIV) Someone who truly loves you will pray for you, and walk with you until you have the victory. And when you’re on the wrong path, they won’t cover up or make excuses for you—they will hold you accountable.
(3) When possible, turn to a spiritual father. Paul says, ‘You might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers.’ (1 Corinthians 4:15 NKJV) Think of a good father’s attributes. He corrects, but never condemns you. He won’t give up on you. He evaluates you based on your best qualities rather than your worst. Instead of reacting negatively to your failures, he recognises your potential and keeps on working with you. So ask God today for a spiritual father, and stay in regular communication with him.
written by Bob Gass
‘Pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.’ Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV
God never meant us to ‘fly solo’. We all need help and encouragement from time to time, but be careful who you turn to.
(1) Don’t go to someone who can’t handle your problem. By sharing your situation with them you may experience temporary relief, but what if they’re not mature enough to handle it? Jesus said, ‘If anyone causes one of these little ones… to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.’ (Matthew 18:6 NIV)
(2) It’s ok to turn to a proven friend as long as they’re spiritually mature. The Bible says, ‘A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.’ (Proverbs 17:17 NIV) But you must know they’re a true friend. Peter writes, ‘Love covers over a multitude of sins.’ (1 Peter 4:8 NIV) Someone who truly loves you will pray for you, and walk with you until you have the victory. And when you’re on the wrong path, they won’t cover up or make excuses for you—they will hold you accountable.
(3) When possible, turn to a spiritual father. Paul says, ‘You might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers.’ (1 Corinthians 4:15 NKJV) Think of a good father’s attributes. He corrects, but never condemns you. He won’t give up on you. He evaluates you based on your best qualities rather than your worst. Instead of reacting negatively to your failures, he recognises your potential and keeps on working with you. So ask God today for a spiritual father, and stay in regular communication with him.
written by Bob Gass
