Who's Your Spotter?What voice are Listening to?

Proverbs 11:14 (KJV) — “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

When you watch a NASCAR race, you see powerful cars racing around the track at incredible speeds. Drivers make split-second decisions, maneuver through traffic, and sometimes come within inches of another vehicle. Their skill, experience, and ability to respond under pressure are essential to their success. However, there is something happening during the race that many spectators may not fully recognize. The driver is not navigating the racetrack alone.

Every NASCAR driver relies on someone called a spotter. The spotter is positioned where they can see areas of the track that the driver cannot clearly see. Their responsibility is to warn the driver of approaching danger, identify other vehicles in their blind spots, and communicate when it is safe to change lanes. Throughout the race, the driver may hear instructions such as, “Car outside!” “Hold your line!” “Stay low!” or “Clear!”

What makes this relationship so important is that even the most experienced drivers need someone helping them see what they cannot see. A driver may have years of experience, numerous victories, and tremendous confidence in their abilities, yet they still recognize the importance of listening to someone who has a different perspective.

The same principle applies to our lives. We all need godly spotters.

This raises an important question: Who is speaking into your life? Who is warning you when you are approaching a dangerous decision? Who is helping you recognize when your emotions are influencing your judgment? Who is encouraging you when God opens a new door of opportunity? Perhaps most importantly, are you listening?

One of the greatest dangers we face is believing that our experience, knowledge, or past accomplishments have made us incapable of making mistakes. We can become so confident in what we know that we stop listening to the wisdom of others. Yet Proverbs 12:15 (KJV) reminds us, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”

Notice that Scripture does not say a wise person knows everything. It teaches us that a wise person recognizes the value of listening to counsel. Just as a NASCAR driver has blind spots despite having mirrors, a windshield, and years of training, we also have areas in our lives that we cannot clearly see.

Sometimes those blind spots are emotional. Other times, they are spiritual. They may develop through pride, fear, disappointment, bitterness, or our determination to have things our own way. We can become so focused on what is directly in front of us that we fail to recognize the danger approaching from another direction.

God often places people in our lives who can recognize what we are overlooking. However, we must understand that not everyone who has an opinion about our lives is qualified to become our spotter. A good spotter needs a clear view, sound judgment, and a commitment to the driver's safety. Likewise, the people we allow to influence our decisions should demonstrate godly character, biblical wisdom, spiritual maturity, and genuine concern for our well-being.

Above all, we must remember that the Holy Spirit is our ultimate guide. God may use pastors, spouses, mentors, friends, and other mature believers to provide direction, but their counsel must always be measured against the truth of God's Word.

Moses: When Your Spotter Sees a Better Way

One of the greatest examples of someone benefiting from wise counsel is found in Exodus chapter 18. Moses was a man who had experienced extraordinary encounters with God. He had stood before Pharaoh, witnessed miraculous demonstrations of God's power, and led the children of Israel out of Egypt. If anyone could have believed he had enough experience to make decisions without assistance, it would have been Moses.

Yet Moses had a blind spot.

Every day, from morning until evening, Moses listened to disputes among the people and attempted to resolve their problems personally. His commitment was admirable, but his approach was unsustainable. He had become so consumed with fulfilling his responsibilities that he failed to recognize the limitations of his leadership structure.

Then his father-in-law, Jethro, observed what was happening and offered a different perspective.

Exodus 18:17–18 (KJV) says, “And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.”

Jethro recognized something Moses had overlooked. Moses was trying to carry a responsibility that required the involvement of other capable leaders. His intentions were good, but his methods were creating unnecessary exhaustion for both himself and the people.Jethro advised Moses to appoint qualified individuals who could help resolve smaller disputes while reserving the more difficult matters for Moses. What is especially important is that Jethro was not questioning Moses' calling. He was helping Moses become more effective in fulfilling it.

Sometimes the spotter God places in your life is not telling you to abandon your assignment. They are helping you discover a better way to accomplish it.

We sometimes confuse being busy with being productive. We assume that carrying every responsibility ourselves demonstrates faithfulness. However, refusing to delegate may reveal a lack of trust in others or an unwillingness to recognize our limitations.

Exodus 18:24 tells us that Moses listened to his father-in-law and followed his advice. Despite his spiritual experiences and leadership position, Moses remained humble enough to receive instruction.We should ask ourselves whether God has placed someone in our lives who is trying to show us a better way, but we have been too distracted, defensive, or proud to listen.

David and Abigail: When Your Spotter Protects You From Yourself

Another powerful example appears in 1 Samuel chapter 25. Before David became king, he and his men had helped protect the shepherds and flocks belonging to a wealthy man named Nabal. When David requested provisions, Nabal responded with insults and refused to help. David became furious. His anger was so intense that he prepared to retaliate against Nabal and his household. In that moment, David was allowing his emotions to direct his decisions rather than considering the consequences of his actions.

However, Nabal's wife, Abigail, learned what was happening. She quickly gathered provisions and went to meet David. With wisdom, humility, and courage, she confronted the situation and urged David not to take vengeance into his own hands. David recognized the wisdom in her words. 1 Samuel 25:32–33 (KJV) records his response: “And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.” Abigail became a spotter in David's life. David could clearly see the insult and disrespect he had experienced, but his anger prevented him from recognizing the danger ahead. Abigail helped him see beyond the immediate offense and consider the consequences of his response.

In NASCAR language, Abigail was telling David, “Hold your line! Don't make that move! There is danger ahead!”

How many marriages, relationships, ministries, and careers have been damaged because someone reacted emotionally rather than listening to wise counsel? How many unnecessary conflicts could have been avoided if someone had been willing to listen before responding?

Sometimes the person God sends into your life is not there to agree with you. They are there to protect you from making a decision you may later regret. Proverbs 27:6 (KJV) declares, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

A person who loves you enough to correct you may be far more valuable than someone who agrees with everything you say. Genuine love does not simply affirm our desires. It is willing to speak the truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable.

Rehoboam: When You Choose the Wrong Spotters

While Moses and David benefited from wise counsel, King Rehoboam demonstrates the consequences of listening to the wrong voices. In 1 Kings chapter 12, Rehoboam became king following the reign of his father, Solomon. The people approached him with a request to lighten the burdens that had been placed upon them. Rather than immediately responding, Rehoboam sought advice. Initially, he consulted the older men who had served his father. They encouraged him to serve the people, respond with kindness, and demonstrate a willingness to address their concerns. Their advice emphasized humility and servant leadership.However, Rehoboam rejected their counsel and turned to the younger men who had grown up with him. These advisers encouraged him to respond harshly and assert his authority over the people. Rehoboam followed the advice that appealed to his desire for power, and the consequences were disastrous. His response contributed to the division of the kingdom. Rehoboam's problem was not that he lacked advisers. His problem was that he preferred the advice that supported what he wanted to do.

Sometimes we are not looking for counsel. We are looking for confirmation.

We want someone to validate our feelings, support our opinions, and reassure us that our decisions are correct. If one person challenges our thinking, we may continue seeking advice until we find someone willing to agree with us. Imagine a NASCAR driver preparing to move into another lane while another car is directly beside them. A trustworthy spotter would immediately warn the driver of the danger. The spotter would not tell the driver what they wanted to hear simply to avoid upsetting them. The responsibility of the spotter is not to make the driver comfortable. It is to help the driver finish the race safely.

Likewise, we must learn to distinguish between people who are committed to our comfort and people who are committed to our growth. Not every encouraging voice is a wise voice, and not every corrective voice is an opposing voice.

Sometimes the advice that challenges us the most is the advice we need to hear.

Paul: When Your Spotter Tells You to Stay in the Ship

In Acts chapter 27, the apostle Paul was traveling by ship to Rome when dangerous weather threatened the voyage. Paul warned those responsible for the ship that continuing their journey would expose them to serious danger. However, Acts 27:11 tells us that the centurion placed greater confidence in the ship's pilot and owner than in Paul's warning. They continued their journey, and eventually a violent storm overtook the ship.

Later, during the storm, an angel of God assured Paul that the lives of everyone aboard would be spared, although the ship itself would be lost. As the danger continued, some sailors attempted to abandon the ship using the lifeboat. Paul recognized that their actions threatened the safety of those aboard. Acts 27:31 (KJV) records his warning: “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.”

This time, the warning was taken seriously. The soldiers cut away the lifeboat, preventing the sailors from escaping. Ultimately, everyone aboard survived and reached land safely.

There is a powerful lesson in this account. Sometimes the safest place is not the most comfortable place.

There may be seasons when everything inside us wants to run. We want to abandon a difficult assignment, escape an uncomfortable situation, or make an immediate change because of the pressure we are experiencing. Yet God's direction may be to remain faithful, exercise patience, and trust Him through the storm. This does not mean we should remain in harmful or abusive situations. It means that fear and discomfort alone should not determine our decisions. We need wisdom to distinguish between circumstances God is calling us to endure and situations He is directing us to leave. God's guidance does not always mean we will avoid every storm. Sometimes His guidance is what carries us safely through the storm.

Holy Spirit: Our Ultimate Spotter

Although God uses people to provide wisdom and guidance, no human adviser can replace the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus declared in John 16:13 (KJV), “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth...” The Holy Spirit is not merely another voice offering an opinion. He is God, leading His people in accordance with His truth.

Acts chapter 16 provides a remarkable illustration. Paul and his companions intended to preach the Gospel in the province of Asia, but the Holy Spirit prevented them from going there at that time. They then attempted to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.

Later, Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia calling for help. Paul and his companions concluded that God was directing them to preach the Gospel there.

What makes this account significant is that Paul was attempting to do something good. He wanted to preach the Gospel and reach people with the message of Jesus Christ. Yet the Holy Spirit redirected his plans. Just because something is good does not necessarily mean it is God's assignment for you in this season.

There are times when we may have the right desire but the wrong timing. We may be pursuing something worthwhile, yet God is directing us toward a different opportunity.

A NASCAR spotter may tell the driver to hold their position even when the driver sees what appears to be an opening. The spotter understands something the driver cannot see from their limited perspective. In much the same way, God may redirect our plans because He sees what we cannot see. However, we must be careful not to assume every closed door is a message from God or that every feeling represents the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must test what we believe we are hearing through Scripture, prayer, and mature, godly counsel.

Psalm 119:105 (KJV) declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

God's Word provides the foundation for evaluating every voice seeking to influence our decisions. The Holy Spirit will never lead us in a direction that contradicts God's revealed truth.

Knowing When God Says, “Clear!”

A NASCAR spotter does more than warn a driver about danger. The spotter also communicates when an opening becomes available.

During a race, a driver may be waiting for the right opportunity to make a move. Then, through the headset, the spotter announces, “Clear!” The driver knows the lane is open and can respond with confidence.There are seasons in our lives when God calls us to wait, and there are seasons when He calls us to move forward. Joshua chapter 3 provides a beautiful example of obedient action. The children of Israel stood before the Jordan River during a season when its waters were overflowing. God instructed the priests carrying the ark of the covenant to step into the river. The remarkable part of this account is that the waters did not stop flowing before the priests approached the river. They had to take a step of obedience, trusting the instruction God had given them. When their feet entered the water, God made a way for the people to cross.

Sometimes we want every circumstance to be perfect before moving forward. We want every question answered, every obstacle removed, and every detail explained before we take the next step. However, faith does not always provide a complete picture of the journey before requiring us to act. There is an important difference between being reckless and being obedient. We should never move simply because we are impatient, frustrated, or tired of waiting. Yet when God's direction is clear and consistent with His Word, we must not allow fear to prevent us from moving forward. Sometimes God says, “Wait.” Sometimes He says, “Change direction.” And sometimes He says, “It's time to move.” The challenge is developing the spiritual sensitivity, humility, and wisdom to recognize His direction and the courage to obey.

Choosing the Right Spotters for Your Life

If we recognize the importance of godly counsel, we must also become intentional about choosing the people who influence our lives.

The first step is acknowledging that we have blind spots. No matter how long we have walked with God or how much experience we have gained, there will always be things we do not fully understand. Spiritual maturity is not demonstrated by believing we have all the answers. It is revealed through our willingness to remain humble and teachable. We must also evaluate the character of those offering advice. Do they demonstrate integrity? Are their lives consistent with biblical principles? Are they willing to tell us the truth, even when it may not be what we want to hear? Do they genuinely desire to see us fulfill God's purpose, or are they motivated by personal interests?

Another important consideration is whether their counsel reflects the wisdom of Scripture. A person may be persuasive, experienced, or confident, but those qualities alone do not establish spiritual wisdom. The advice we receive should be examined in light of God's Word.

We must also cultivate the ability to listen before reacting. David could have made a devastating mistake, but he listened to Abigail. Moses could have rejected Jethro's recommendation, but he received it with humility. Their willingness to listen helped them make better decisions.

Furthermore, we must learn not to interpret every warning as rejection. Sometimes when someone encourages us to reconsider a decision, delay an action, or change our approach, they are not attempting to prevent our success. They may be helping protect the very purpose God has placed within us. Finally, we must understand that having wise counsel does not remove our personal responsibility. A NASCAR spotter can warn the driver about danger, but the driver must still decide how to respond. In the same way, no pastor, mentor, spouse, or trusted friend can obey God on our behalf. We remain accountable for our decisions and actions.

Who's Speaking Into Your Life?

Picture that NASCAR driver one more time. The engine is roaring, cars are moving at tremendous speeds, and danger may be only inches away. The driver must remain focused while navigating the pressure and uncertainty of the race.

Yet through all that noise, there is a voice communicating through the headset.

“Hold your line.” “Car outside.” “Stay low.” “Clear!” The driver has learned to pay attention because those instructions can make the difference between finishing the race and ending up in a wreck. Isn't that a picture of life? We are surrounded by noise. Social media, personal opinions, cultural expectations, financial pressures, disappointment, fear, and the demands of everyday responsibilities all compete for our attention. In the middle of those competing voices, we must learn to recognize the guidance of God.

The question is not simply whether someone is speaking into your life. The greater question is whose voice you are allowing to influence your decisions. Are you listening to the voices of fear and insecurity? Are you surrounding yourself with people who agree with everything you say? Are you ignoring correction because it challenges your preferences? Or are you allowing God's Word, the Holy Spirit, and wise, godly counsel to help you navigate the course ahead?

Moses listened to Jethro and became a more effective leader. David listened to Abigail and avoided a destructive decision. Rehoboam rejected wise counsel and experienced devastating consequences. Paul followed the direction of Holy Spirit, even when it required changing his plans. Their experiences remind us that the voices we choose to follow can significantly influence the direction of our lives.

Perhaps God has placed someone in your life who has been trying to warn you about a decision. Perhaps you have been resisting correction because you do not want to hear what they are saying. Or perhaps you have been standing still, allowing fear to hold you back, when God has already made your next step clear. Whatever season you are experiencing, remember this important truth:

You may be responsible for driving the car, but you were never intended to navigate every turn of life alone. God has given us His Word, His Spirit, and the blessing of wise, godly relationships. He has provided guidance to help us avoid unnecessary mistakes, recognize dangerous distractions, and walk faithfully toward His purpose for our lives.

Sometimes the voice we are most tempted to ignore is the very voice God is using to protect our destiny.

So before you make your next major decision, ask yourself two questions: Who is my spotter, and am I listening?