Listening to Advice Might Have Kept This Man Out of Prison

In a world that celebrates independence and hustle, seeking advice can sometimes feel like weakness. But the truth is, it takes far more strength and humility to pause and ask for help than to rush ahead alone. Whether you’re facing a major life decision, a family challenge, or a business opportunity, listening to advice isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a step toward wisdom, protection, and peace.

The Fyre Festival Example: A Case Study in Ignoring Counsel

One of the most public, expensive, and embarrassing reminders of what happens when we ignore good advice came in 2017 with the Fyre Festival. Billed as an elite, influencer-studded music event in the Bahamas, this festival promised everything from private jets to gourmet food and high-end villas. What the attendees got instead was soaked FEMA tents, missing infrastructure, no electricity, and nothing but disappointment—and a cold cheese sandwich.

Behind the scenes, experienced event coordinators had pleaded with the organizers to slow down. The logistics expert begged for more time, more money, and essential infrastructure. Professional after professional warned that it would take over a year and tens of millions of dollars to pull it off. But the founder, Billy McFarland, brushed them all off. He believed sheer confidence could substitute for preparation.

Instead of listening, he pushed forward. And everything unraveled.

What went wrong? A refusal to seek—and heed—wise counsel. The disaster wasn’t due to a lack of vision or ambition. It was a failure to listen. And due to a number of bad decisions, McFarland ended up serving six years in prison for fraud.

Proverbs 15:22: A Lifeline for Decision-Making

God doesn’t leave us wondering about the importance of advice. Proverbs 15:22 says,

“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” (NLT)

That’s not just a poetic warning—it’s a lifeline for our decision-making. One that we too often ignore. Why? Because asking for advice requires humility. It forces us to admit we don’t know it all. And in a culture that tells us to “trust your gut,” we can easily bypass godly wisdom in favor of what feels right in the moment.

But the Bible makes it clear: the road to success is paved with godly input. Many advisers bring success, not because they all agree, but because they sharpen our thinking. They help us spot pitfalls before we fall into them. They remind us that we’re not as invincible—or as wise—as we might believe in isolation.

There's Strength in Godly Counsel

This truth isn’t new. In the 1400s, the theologian Thomas à Kempis wrote:

“Who is so wise as to have perfect knowledge of all things? Therefore, trust not too much to your own opinion, but be ready also to hear the opinions of others… you shall the more profit thereby.”

We are not all-knowing. We’re not supposed to be. God, in His wisdom, placed us in community because we all have blind spots. Seeking advice means admitting that. It means honoring the wisdom of those who’ve walked the road before us.

And yes, sometimes we don’t want to hear what they’ll say. But often, what we don’t want to hear is exactly what we need most.

Why Listening to Godly Counsel Is a Sign of Strength, Not Weakness

There’s a lie we’ve bought into that says strong people make decisions alone. But Scripture—and history—tell a different story.

Listening isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.

Asking questions doesn’t make you small. It shows you’re mature enough to realize your limitations.

And when the stakes are high—your finances, your family, your ministry, your future—it’s not just a good idea to seek advice. It's a must.

Even Jesus, though perfect, invited others into His mission. He surrounded Himself with disciples, prayed constantly to the Father, and asked deep questions. If the Son of God saw the value of collaboration and counsel, how much more should we?

Moving Forward with Humility and Wisdom

So, how do we walk this out? Here are some practical steps to begin seeking advice in a way that honors God and protects your future:

1. Pause Before You Decide

   Don’t rush. Even if it feels urgent, take a breath. Wisdom rarely comes from haste.

2. Identify Trusted Voices

   Who in your life has spiritual maturity, experience, and a heart that cares for you? Make a list of these people.

3. Be Honest About What You Don’t Know

   Vulnerability is a doorway to wisdom. You don’t have to pretend. Start your conversations with, “I’m not sure what to do here. Can I get your thoughts?”

4. Pray First, Then Listen Well

   Ask God to guide your conversations and your heart. And once advice is offered, resist the urge to argue or explain it away. Just listen.

5. Look for Confirmation

   Proverbs 11:14 says,

   “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (NKJV)

   If multiple trusted people are pointing the same direction, pay attention.

6. Take Action with Confidence

   When you’ve prayed, received input, and weighed the options, move forward with peace. You may still feel some uncertainty, but that’s where faith comes in.

Wise Decisions Start with Humble Hearts

Here’s the bottom line: You don’t have to go it alone. And you shouldn’t.

No matter how much experience or instinct you have, life is too complex—and your calling too important—to carry the burden of decision-making solo. Seeking advice may slow you down in the short term, but it will spare you pain in the long run.

Don’t be the person who builds a Fyre Festival of your life—flashy on the outside but hollow at the core—because you were too proud to ask for help.

Be the person who invites others in, who listens deeply, and who makes decisions from a place of humility and strength.

Your future self will thank you.

If this article helped you, consider sharing it with someone who might be facing a decision today. And if you’d like support, prayer, or to learn how to build a life of wisdom and faith, reach out. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself. Send me a text, or leave me a voicemail at dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail.

Listen to the companion episode, "Don't Go It Alone."