Not All Advice is Good Advice

 
When you get married, everyone will have lots of advice for you. The key as a newly married couple will be taking that advice and measuring its value to you and your spouse. Remember, not all advice is good advice. 
“Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.” Proverbs 15:21
I was recently at a wedding when I overheard a guest giving the married couple advice, when I realized the individual did not have solid ground to stand on for the area of concern she was speaking into. It was in that moment that I realized the importance of discernment in marital advice. Not that this individual had poor intentions, but it is important to understand how to take a piece of advice and measure it to your relationship.
I want to challenge you to look at the source of the advice.
 
What level of experience are they speaking from? How long has this couple been married?
It is okay to take advice from newlywed peers, but you need to realize that their experience comes from a limited view. Use your peers to help you and your spouse collaborate on creative resolutions to problems you are seeing in your marriage; after all, they are walking in a very similar season of life as you. However, do not be afraid to reach out to couples that have been married for a greater length of time for more mature advice. Couples that have been together for 10+ years have been through more seasons, including ups and downs, then your friends with a limited viewing platform.
 
Does this person have the same foundational values/principles as you to speak into this certain situation?
Although a couple may be married longer, this does not mean their advice is greater. If you and your spouse approach obstacles with a Godly perspective, it is pivotal to ensure the couple you are looking to can speak from that perspective. If you are looking for financial advice, going to a married couple that struggles with finances is not going to be the best place to establish a solid financial foundation.  Understand the realm of perspective in which they provide their advice from.
 
Can you see fruit in their relationship/marriage?
At the end of the day, be careful of the advice that you take. If you cannot see the fruit of the advice given in the source’s relationship, I would be cautious in applying the principles. Understand that you and your spouse are different than other couples and what works for one, may not work for another.
 
Above all, communicate. You and your spouse know each other better than anyone else. Figure out what works for you, and go for it. If what you try doesn’t work, you can always try again. That’s the beauty of marriage – it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Given enough time, you both will figure out how to work together in order to make your marriage the most fulfilling for the two of you.