Listen to the advice of God-fearing people

1King 12:3-4+12-14+16-17 that they sent and called him. Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you." So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had directed, saying, "Come back to me the third day." Then the king answered the people roughly, and rejected the advice which the elders had given him; and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!" Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: "What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!" So Israel departed to their tents. But Rehoboam reigned over the children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah.

Rehoboam did not accept the advice of the old men. No-one can say how things would have gone if he had listened to them. Instead, he followed the counsel of the young advisors, which lead again to the division of the kingdom. One of the first rate characteristics of a person is the capability to listen to advice. If we are open to counsel, then this demonstrates humility and leadership qualities. If you have the opportunity to receive advice, then accept it. However, before you make a decision, check it out first with the Bible. If older people give you advice, then be even quicker to accept what they are saying. Why? Because your acquaintances and friends will more likely give you advice which you want to hear, and that is not advice but rather only a confirmation. It is good to know that many people are quick to give advice but are slow to heeding to advice themselves.

Try and do it the other way around in your life, whereby, you do not give advice so quickly but rather are quicker in accepting good advice. jk