Seeking Godly Advice From Christian Content Creators

Navigating Christian Content Online

People love to give advice, but most of the time, that advice comes from their limited point of view and personal experiences. As Christians navigating through this, we must exercise caution regarding whose advice we choose to accept and follow. Not every piece of advice is divinely inspired or necessarily suited for our unique situations. One of the things I have realised when seeking guidance on matters related to my personal life, ministry, or business is to critically assess whether the advice I’m receiving is truly what I need to move forward—1 John 4:1. For example, if I'm trying to make a significant decision about which platform to use for my ministry, I would pray and ask God to highlight the one that is specifically meant for me, rather than simply relying on someone else's opinion.

Romans 12:2 teaches us to avoid conforming to the ideals and opinions of those around us, instead encouraging us to discern His perfect will for our lives. After prayer, I would conduct thorough research, carefully limiting my sources to just three that I found credible. Additionally, I create a clear list in my mind of the features I desire and the budget I am willing to spend. This structured approach provides me with a solid framework for deciding the best platform suited to my needs, as opposed to getting lost in the noise of what others claim to be the best. It can become increasingly confusing when individuals promote what they believe rather than allowing you the free will to make a choice that is truly best for you and your ministry. In a world filled with countless advice gurus, even those within the Christian community, it is crucial to discern who is presenting the right advice that resonates with who God called you to be.

Beware of misleading information

Some online content creators often seek to fulfil their own desires and needs, prioritising what they believe is best for themselves rather than considering what might truly be best for you. Their focus tends to revolve around their personal gain, leaving little room for genuine or God-led advice.

When this happens, we need to pray for wisdom and discernment. Just like King Solomon demonstrated in the story found in 1 Kings 3:1–15, we too can earnestly pray and ask God for the wisdom that surpasses our understanding. Seeking His guidance in our daily decisions allows us to navigate the complexities of life, ministry, and business with clarity and purpose.

Think about these points when looking for Christian advice:

• Is it biblically sound? Do they share the same or a similar biblical view as you?

• Are they spiritually mature or Spirit-led?

• Does it glorify God?

• Can you tell the difference between truth and falsehood when you compare it to advice from others online?

• Is the Holy Spirit giving you peace about it? Does it align with God’s plan for you?

Trust God, not those giving advice.

When I was choosing a website host for my ministry, I had to sift through all the information, some positive and some negative. But through the whole process, things stood out to me, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I was able to discern the right platform for me. This takes time and a lot of practice, but when you find yourself in a situation where you’re not quite sure if the advice you’re being given is trustworthy, remember to ask God. He will guide you through the process of elimination, whether you’re conscious of it or not.

Another thing I noticed when it comes to gaining the clarity and guidance to choose the best advice for you is to limit your research to three sources. This can be people you’ve received advice from before and liked their content, or a content creator you would have never considered but the Holy Spirit led you to click on it. In these circumstances, the person can provide valuable insights and perspectives that many other content creators often don’t mention, overlook, or leave out entirely.

As consumers, it's beneficial to actively seek out individuals who don’t necessarily rank as high in the visibility charts or possess the most polished branding. I also noticed that some of the best advice often comes from individuals who are in a completely different niche from yours, offering a unique perspective that can inspire and shift your approach to ministry.

Here are some Bible verses that will help with seeking advice God’s way:

• Proverbs 1:5: “For those with discernment, you will be able to acquire brilliant strategies for leadership.”—TPT

• Proverbs 12:17 "An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies."—NIV

• Proverbs 12:22 “The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”—NIV

• Proverbs 16:9 “Within your heart you can make plans for your future, but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there.”—TPT

• Proverbs 19:20-21: “Listen well to wise counsel and be willing to learn from correction so that by the end of your life you'll be known for your wisdom. A person may have many ideas concerning God's plan for his life, but only the designs of God's purpose will succeed in the end.”—TPT

• James 1:5 “Ask God for wisdom, and he will give it! He won't see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures, but he will overwhelm your failures.”—TPT

• Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”—ESV

• 2 Timothy 2:5 “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”—NLT

• Hebrews 5:14 "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."—ESV

• Isaiah 53:1 “Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?”—NASB 1995

• 1 John 4:1 “Do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead, test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.” —AMP

• Zechariah 4:6 “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.”—ESV

• 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 ”My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, / I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” —NIV/NLT (Paul's Message by the Spirit's Power)