When seeking advice, often we arrive at the dilemma of who to trust.

Throughout the book of Jeremiah, there were two sides to the advice being given. Jeremiah essentially stood alone being a mouthpiece for God, but his advice was not what the people wanted to hear. Every other "expert" and leader advised exactly opposite which was exactly what the people wanted to hear. We read in Jeremiah 26:7-8, "So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, "You shall surely die!". Jeremiah didn't worry, nor start yelling, instead we read in 26:14-15, "As for me, here I am in your hand; do with me as seems good and proper to you. But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will surely bring innocent blood on yourselves,...". A little later we read Jeremiah saying in 27:9-10, "Therefore do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your soothsayers, or your young sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, "You shall not serve the king of Babylon." For they prophesy a lie to you,...". A little later we read of an animated discussion between Jeremiah and the false prophet, Hananiah. Jeremiah did not lose his temper or use his own wisdom, but instead rested on the leading of the Lord, as we read his reaction in 28:11, "And the prophet Jeremiah went his way." After leaving, the word of the Lord came to him and he returned and spoke forth God's Word in the hearing of all.

When a godly person goes through difficulty and seeks counseling, therapy, etc, why would anyone who worships God seek the counsel from one who does not. Our worldviews run in opposite directions. The world is getting increasingly chaotic, and without resting on the firm foundation of the word of God (Read Matthew 7:24-27), we will all be taken for a ride. Difficulties will arise, decisions will have to be made on a whole host of issues. Seeking these answers in our own strength or seeking the advice from "experts" from our godless society may be what we want to hear but will often lead us in the wrong direction. To be Biblically illiterate is a decision and comes at one's own peril. Those in Christ will face many of the same situations as those not in Christ. The difference is that those in Christ, who find their answers to life's difficult situations through His Word and prayer, will experience "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7), while the others will not.