As a follower of Jesus Christ, your direction shouldn’t come from people and be confirmed by God, it should come from God and be confirmed by people. The Bible says: ‘Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word. Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good. Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place. God made everything with a place and purpose’ (vv. 1-4 MSG). You may be able to do what someone else has done and do it even better. But has God called you to do that particular thing? Before you follow someone else’s guidance, do these: 1) Check the source of their wisdom. ‘The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless…he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path’ (Proverbs 2:6-9 NIV1984). 2) Check their motives. John writes, ‘I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened’ (Revelation 20:12 NKJV). Will one of those be ‘the book of motives’? And if it is, will your actions and accomplishments stand up under divine scrutiny? 3) Check the outcome they’re pursuing. If you seek success in order to have power and prestige, or seek riches only to have comfort, you violate one of the core principles of God’s Word: you’re blessed in order to be a blessing to others.
