For laypeople, whose spiritual advice do we follow when we have questions?

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When dealing with questions about faith, sin, etc, whom do we ask and listen to? Any priest at parishes we regularly attend Mass at? Any priest in general?

Once we have an answer, do we have clear conscience to follow whatever he says, like a religious brother/sister would follow his/her superior?

Hypothetically, suppose we got an “incorrect” answer and followed the advice but it ended up technically being some sort of sin — are we culpable of sin?
 
There is kind of the notion of obedience somewhat being more important than reason as long as it’s not immoral in some of the writings of various mystics… almost like we are being tested and God still makes it turn out for the good even if we know something our superiors might not understand or agree with. Kinda hard to swallow… anyway most of this is usually in the context of the confessional or spiritual direction.

Edit:

I might add that Aquinas says something along the lines of it is not a good idea to bind the soul but whatever.
 
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Questions about faith and sin can be answered by a good confessor, but if you are speaking about spiritual direction then I suggest you “shop around,” ask the priest if he has been trained in spiritual direction, has he directed laymen, how long has he been a spiritual director, does he lean toward a certain spirituality (i.e. Ignatian, Benedictine, etc.). These questions are helpful in that they give insight toward the reflection and guidance you would expect from the spiritual director as well as their experience. Some are better fitted than others to be spiritual directors and you can see who may be best able to assist your spiritual growth. Pax Christi!
 
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I think that it is sometimes better not to have a spiritual director than to have a bad one. I had a bad one and following his advice made me more lax (St Teresa of Avila mentions similar experience in her autobiography and says what criteria should be followed in choosing spiritual director). Later I found a great spiritual director, that was truly gift of God for me, and I decided to obey him in everything because I had experience that his advice was always in accord with God’s will for me. He always gave me great advice, in accordance with Church’s teaching, teachings of saints and he was prudent. Sometimes I am scrupulous and I’m not sure if he’s right, but I obey him anyway because I know that he always gave me good advice. If I made a mistake in obeying him, he would be responsible before God, not me. But still, we can’t just choose any priest and obey him, we should really try to find a good one and pray over it.
I think that we as laity are not bound to listen to anyone besides magisterium of the Church. But it would be profitable to find a good, experienced and holy spiritual director and then decide to obey him (but only when we are sure that he really is a good and prudent director). That’s my opinion.
 
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catherine98 said:
But it would be profitable to find a good, experienced and holy spiritual director and then decide to obey him
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I feel uneasy even asking a priest…they’re already so busy and I’m scrupulous so that’ll be even more burdensome for them
 
@NuclearReceptor, don’t be afraid to ask a priest for help with your scrupulosity. They are there to help those afflicted in this way and, as confessors, are uniquely qualified to do so.
catherine98 said:
I think that it is sometimes better not to have a spiritual director than to have a bad one.
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It is, in my opinion, always better not to have an SD than to have a bad one. I had an SD who wasn’t necessarily a bad SD but definitely a bad fit for me. Extracting myself from that relationship took several months as well as the intervention of two other priests. I paid for it in multiple ways for years afterward. What a waste of time and effort.
 
Most people don’t realize this, but a spiritual director does not need to be a priest. A confessor, yes, but not a spiritual director. I know that within my own Order, one of the most sought after members for spiritual direction is a brother. So too, I know that many religious sisters seek their elder sisters out for spiritual direction. The person must simply have a deep and abiding spirituality and a willingness to walk with their brother or sister on their spiritual journey and an approval to provide spiritual direction by the relevant Church authority (be it a religious superior or a parish priest).
 
I agree. But I think that it is important for a spiritual director to have a good knowledge of theology. Personal sanctity is also important, but so is being learned, St Teresa of Avila says.
 
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