"Let us be very careful that we never exalt any minister, or sermon, or book or friend above the Word of God." J.C. Ryle
This is a topic we speak with our children about frequently:
People will run around to find counsel that agrees with their way of thinking. They follow that advice (what they wanted to do all along) knowing down deep in their heart that it is not the way God wants them to handle the situation. Then, when things go wrong, they are upset. They feel justified when they say: "Well, I got godly counsel. This is what a deacon told me to do." What they really went after was someone to agree with them and found a weak Christian to do just that. Too proud to admit they sinned and to repent to God, to apologize to the people they hurt, and to make changes in their walk with the Lord, so they continue to repeat the steps wondering why they have so much trouble in their life. Why do things never go their way?
When you get advice from a friend or give it as a friend, that friend or you should be able to open a Bible and give supporting Scripture. If it does not line up with the Word of God, it is not godly counsel. Topical Bible indexes are great resources to have for the serious minded Christian.
If you really want to do what is God-pleasing, you will read what He has to say about it and follow that. That is what "following Him" is referring to...doing it His way over doing it our way.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
