Christians develop a sense of trust in people you they assume are more spiritually mature than they are. It might be a position in the church or some gray hair, but it’s healthy to seek wisdom as we attempt to grow in our faith and our knowledge of God. It is a sad fact that the fragile trust placed in people can be easily broken when the person extending that trust does so blindly or weakly. We should seek a spiritual health that allows us to reach out from a position of stability and not one of weakness. Reaching out from a position of knowledge and strength allows us to discern the counsel we receive and not be led astray, hurt, or discouraged by people that, we must remember, are as broken as we are. Even the most righteous of people are able to stumble in their walk. Some of them might not even notice they are stumbling and drag down those following as well. Proverbs 27:17 says: Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Our goal as we mature should not be blind dependence on leaders. We should desire to grow not only from their wisdom but from their mistakes. Done correctly we should be able to provide counsel as we sharpen each other. Our spiritual walk and growth with each other cannot be a one-sided affair. Be willing to contribute as you grow, willing to reach out to elders and leaders in love as we care for them in their inevitable weakness.

Being let down should spurn us to be better so that we can improve the kingdom as oppose to groveling about the matter or worst of all, falling away from God, in retaliation toward people we have to remember are fallen as well. When the scripture below speaks of avoiding them, I feeling it is better read as avoid the influence of poor counsel. Be the light that guides them back to the straight path of God. The only way to discern contrary counsel is to be diligent as we seek God so that we are available for Him to use where we are placed. Be ready to be the leader God needs you to be. Listen to God in child-like faith, listen to God’s children with discerning hearts and unfailing love.

(Romans 16:17-18)

¹⁷ I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. ¹⁸ For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.