Exodus 18:24 Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions.NLT
A woman introduced a brother to me years back. He was young in the faith. This woman introduced him to me for mentorship so that I can be part of his growth process. The young man also agreed to the idea. I wasn't sure if he was the one who requested for that kind of relationship with me but I knew that he was enthusiastic about it. However, anytime we met to share, he doesn't listen to me. He always wanted to prove to me that he had knowledge. I bore with him for sometime but after a while, i left him. I just couldn't help that brother. He had zeal but he doesn't have listening ears. When you come under mentors and those your heart cleave to for spiritual nourishment and guidance, please listen to their counsel. IF the counsel is in order follow it.
One reason why some have not benefited from counseling or mentoring is because they don't listen to what the counselor/ mentor is saying. I have met different types of people in the counseling room. Some won't allow you to talk yet they came for counseling. They want to do all the talking. Some would listen to you but they have made-up their minds on what they want to do. Most times, people in this category turn down wise counsel with, "the Lord told me something different". This is common to those of us in the ministry. Hey! If the Lord has truly spoken to you, why disturb the counselor? Most times, they're just looking for someone to validate their decisions but things don't work that way in this kingdom. Even in conflict resolution, some are fond of listening to counselors but they don't follow the counsel.
If some believers of today were in the shoes of Moses, they won't listen to Jethro and if they do, they won't follow his wise counsel. At every point in the discussion, they'll interrupt him by asking if he had ever seen God's shadow like they did on the mountain. Some would ask if Jethro had fasted 40 days like they did. Moses wasn't like that. He listened to his father-in-law's counsel on delegation of duty and he followed it. Moses had a larger congregation than Jethro's but the wisdom to delegate duty to avoid fatigue was with Jethro. You need to have a humble heart when you're in the counseling room. God can use someone that is lower in status and rank to give you the right counsel. Naaman would have remained leprous if he hadn't listened to the counsel of his maidservant. The first thing to do during counseling or mentoring sessions is to listen. Stop trying to prove a point to your counselor or mentor.
Father, I receive the grace to listen to wise and godly counsel and to act appropriately in the name of Jesus.