We have been examining the issue of discerning the will of God in our lives. We have seen that, in order to know God’s will, we must study His word and we must pray to Him for guidance. Today, we want to look at the importance of godly counselors in our lives.
In two places in Proverbs, we read about the importance of having counsellors around us. First of all, in Proverbs 11:14, the writer tells us, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Later on, in Proverbs 24:6, we are told, “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” I’ve heard it said that, when God says something one time, that should be enough, but when He repeats it we ought to snap to attention!
Moreover, in Proverbs 15:22, we read further that “[w]ithout counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” Clearly there must be something important about “counsellors”! The word “counsel” refers to guidance, or direction, given by someone to another. It is a reference to “good advice” and not “bad advice.” And it goes without saying, the counsellors under consideration here are GODLY counsellors.
So, how do we know if someone is a godly counsellor? At the risk of stating the obvious, godly counsellors give GODLY counsel! That is, he or she gives advice that comes from the word of God. You see, all wisdom begins with God: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Prov. 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Prov. 9:10. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Ps. 111:10. Bottom line: if a counsellors advice doesn’t line up with the word of God, it’s nothing but worldly drivel.
In addition, Godly counsellors should be spiritually mature counsellors. Do you remember Solomon’s son Rehoboam? When he took over as King of Israel after Solomon’s death, he was advised by the wise old sages of his day that he ought to relieve some of the tax burden upon the people. However, in: 1 Kings 12:8, we learn that “he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him.” As a result, the Kingdom of Israel was split in two and never united again!
However, simply being old doesn’t mean you become wise! My grandmother had a saying, “there’s no fool like an old fool”! This principle is reflected in the Bible: “The hoary head is a crown of glory, IF it be found in the way of righteousness.” Prov. 16:31. Ultimately, no matter what age the counsellor is, we can identify godly counsellors by the fruit of the Spirit that we see in their lives (see Gal. 5:19-26).
Finally, make sure that you allow ONLY godly counsellors into your circle of influence! Don’t let the ungodly to get close to you! This is especially important for those who are in the current college environment. My advice to my children who have been in the university setting is not to allow those who promote the modern cultural mindset into their close circle of friends. Instead, continue to listen to their parents, preachers, and fellow church members. Be kind to everyone, but do not give the ungodly influences even a toehold in their lives!
The best way to ensure godly counsellors remain in your life is to build your life around the church. The writer of Hebrews admonishes us as follows: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:24-25. We are to “provoke one another” in godly ways; and the only way to do that is to be together in a church setting! We get provoked all the time in the world, do we not? Let us come to church and be provoked in a good and godly way!
My dear friends, the church is important, and it is important that you be there when it meets! I encourage you to seek out the godly counsellors of the Kingdom of God, and to present yourself faithfully before God when the church meets. In this way you will ensure that you are surrounded by godly counsellors, and through their advice you will be helped along in discerning the will of God for your life!
May the Lord bless you is my prayer.
Elder Chris McCool, Pastor