We are always taking counsel from somewhere.  Who are you listening to? i

I did a quick search through the Bible and found a variety of “counselors” 

…counsel that the old men gave him…according to the counsel of the young men…he took counsel with his servants…he had taken counsel with his people…I took counsel with myself…counsel of the wicked…the rulers counsel together…ii

We take counsel from a wide variety of sources. Some good, some not so good;  a careless comment made by an acquaintance, a wise word from a godly friend, a message on the radio or from the pulpit on Sunday morning, a book or newspaper article, a billboard or an email.  If we are not discerning we will take in bad, ungodly counsel.   Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked…

I appreciate the verse in Nehemiah about taking counsel with myself (5:7).  We all do that don’t we?  We listen to ourselves but it is very dangerous unless we filter our thoughts through the grid of Truth.  We can spend a lot of time thinking thoughts that are not God’s thoughts and that never ends in a good place.  Have you been there?

I am a counselor, a trained Biblical Counselor, so what I am about to say is not a hit on Counselors.  I believe seeking counsel to converse with someone about the Lord and His Word and how it bears on life circumstances can be a blessing and a benefit.  This is NOT advice to not seek godly counsel.  There no longer is a stigma about going for counseling. 

That being said, there is ONE WHO counsels perfectly every time.  The LORD Himself is our Counselor. “…his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor” Isaiah 9:6.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me… I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you… The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations… You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory…With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding…Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.iii

Looking for answers to life’s questions and difficulties, seek the counsel of God.

Blessings, Diane

i Dr. David Powilson – CCEF, Biblical Counseling Training Course
ii 1 Kings 12:8; 1 Kings 12:14; 2 Kings 6:8; 2 Chronicles 20:21; Nehemiah 5:7; Psalm 1:1; Psalm 2:2
iii Psalm 16:7; Psalm 32:8; Psalm 33:11; Psalm 73:24; Job 12:13; Psalm 119:24; Is 28:29