Who Is Your Counselor

"You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny."  Psalm 73:24

Just who counsels you when you need it most?

In going through a difficult time in life, I recently met with a Christian woman whose counsel I had not sought before.  While I did not know her well and did not know much of her personal relationship with Jesus, she came highly recommended. 

The counsel I received was in direct opposition to Scripture. While I wanted to believe the counsel as it would most assuredly relieve my personal and momentary pain, I questioned the advice given, remembering something Jesus told us in Mark's gospel.  This woman's advice was easy, worldly, and not God's best for me.

After listening and questioning some more, I decided to take it to the Lord in prayer and search the Scriptures when I got home.  The exercise served to give me a real and lasting peace.  While it wasn't an easy solution or fix and requires my total daily surrender, I know it is what God wants from me and for me.  Afterward, I sought out three individuals I knew to be God-fearing and they confirmed what I understood in Scripture.

The experience with this counselor stirred me to this most important of questions:  Just who am I allowing to counsel me?  And if I care anything about you, I ask you this same question, the one we started with.

The Old Testament prophets often spoke about wicked and worthless counsel (Jeremiah 49:7, Ezekiel 11:2).  And while I believe it is important to seek godly counsel when making an important decision, Scripture tells us, "Plans go wrong with too few counselors; many counselors bring success" (Proverbs 15:22).  

Scripture also tells us, "Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors" (Proverbs 26:16).

We should seek out the counsel of many God-fearing men and women when facing an important decision.  We need to truly know they are God-fearing, obedient, faithful, and know the Scriptures well.  We must also explain the situation honestly—without attempting to lead the outcome.

"The godly man is a good counselor because he is just and fair and knows right from wrong" (Psalm 37:30-31).

"Your laws are both my light and my counselors" (Psalm 119:24).

Who is your counselor?

Goodnight, Runners.