“Pastor, I live and work in the midst of people who are older and wiser than me, but I can’t but notice that of recent, they’ve been walking in error. I fear that if I talk, they may shun me. What do I do?”

One of the things I’ve learnt over the years is that age or experience is not always the proof of wisdom. Just because a wise old man gave you counsel doesn’t mean that the counsel is correct. I’ve received counsel from men of God I greatly rever, yet my spirit man struggled to do what they said.

As Christians, whether young or old, we all have the advantage of the Holy Spirit who gives us inspiration. No matter who is speaking, once an inspiration comes that speaks otherwise, then that speech can be considered unusable. What this means is that inspiration from God or His Word becomes the greatest proof of wisdom.

Clearly, you’ve received inspiration that reveals the errors in the current system, and the reason why that inspiration came to you is to reveal purpose. It’s either you have to humbly present it to them, or you have to start a new move. Either way, God doesn’t reveal something if He doesn’t have a plan to redeem it.

As elders or people who have spiritual authority over others, let’s not be quick to despise the wisdom of the younger ones. Recall the experience of Elihu? How that he got angry because Job justified himself before his three friends instead of justifying God? Let’s read from scriptures.

Job 32:
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

Did you see that? He had been boiling by the errors of his elders. He had to convince them at that point that the inspiration of the Almighty was greater than the experience of men. Once they permitted him to speak, it was clear that Elihu was truly inspired by the Almighty God. Many of the things we thought Job spoke were actually words of wisdom from Elihu. Elihu’s speech was so good that God’s wrath was kindled upon Job. God had to continue the re-education that Elihu started.

All the while, God didn’t talk. But as soon as Elihu spoke those words of inspiration, God moved to act. In Elihu’s submission, he insisted that God is righteous and that He must be judged faithful. Unlike Job’s idea, Elihu did not agree that it was God that afflicted Job, he believed that Job must have missed it somewhere and that’s why the affliction came upon him. Elihu was so right that God had to step in.

Think about it, when last did you see the move of God or the hand of God among those people you live and work with? If it’s been a while, then you may be holding back information that will restore the hand of God in your midst. It’s not about age or experience, it’s about ensuring that God is still in your midst. I’m sure you know that there’s a lot at stake if God is not in your midst.

So like Elihu, present your case with humility. After you have spoken, then God will step in. This is the character of God.

I hope this has brought enlightenment to someone.

Remain ever blessed, in Jesus precious name!

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