In life receiving and giving counsel is an important component to life. Only if… you are ensuring that your advice is coming from someone who, regardless, will tell you the truth. Now the word “truth” is a subjective word for many. Some people give advice based upon situations they’ve encountered, how they dealt with it, and the outcome. Some people give advice because they heard someone else’s story and their outcomes and they recant that information in order to be helpful to the one in need. The problem with each one of the above types of advice, if supported with nothing else, is “the advice” can be more subjective. The state of mind of the individual while dealing with their situation is equally important when listening and or deciding whether or not to take that advice.
The reality of where we receive our advice is strictly based on what outcome we are really seeking. If I want someone to agree with me, let’s face it, I know who to call. In this instance this is more about me being right, than the “truth” being dealt regardless of the outcome. If I want someone to tell me the truth regardless of the outcome, I, too, know who to call. There is a scripture that says, “Many are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of the enemy (Prov 27:6). What this principle is speaking to is the following:
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,.... That is, friendly reproofs/counsel; which, though they may be severe and or not what you want to hear, may grieve and wound, and cause pain and uneasiness for the present, yet, proceeding from a spirit of love, faithfulness, and integrity, it is designed for the good of the person, and should be kindly received. But those who only want your approval or really don’t care about your best interest will lie to you or say what you want to hear without the honest intent of helping you.
There’s a worldly “truth” and a biblical “truth”. You must decide in which arena of life advice is in your best interest. It should be no surprise to those who follow me that we are going to deal with “truth” from a biblical perspective.
It is amazing to me that there is a book that each of us have access to in many different languages yet the
Psalm 1, one of my favorites Psalms says, “How blessed is the man/woman who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. Nor stand in the path of sinners. Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his/her delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he/she meditates day and night. He/she will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he/she does, he/she prospers.”
This scripture summarized simple states that the person who takes wise counsel, stays away from the drama queens, and drama period, spends their time studying and meditating on the word of God, thrives in life. Regardless of what goes on around them in “their” season they will shine and prosper.
There’s another scripture that states, “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory” Proverbs 11:14
There is a word from God on wisdom. Please take the time to read it and let it soak in.
Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square; At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: “How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing and fools hate knowledge? “Turn to my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
“Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; and you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, When your dread comes like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, then distress and anguish come upon you. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. “They would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices. For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.” (Proverbs 1:20-33)
There are many more scriptures that speak about receiving wise counsel and how the one who seeks, listens, and applies that counsel will find peace in the midst of her storm. She will find refuge in a time of trouble. When her heart is broken she will discover it mended. When her dreams seems dashed she will be refreshed being remind of the faithfulness of God. When your marriage seems to be crumbling, she will find solace with a God who can repair anything. When finances seem low, you will be reminded that God has promised that He shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.
Trust me ladies and gentlemen – it’s in the operator’s manual. Ensure that you seek counsel within the confines of what you profess to believe then leave all the consequences to God!!
The reality of where we receive our advice is strictly based on what outcome we are really seeking. If I want someone to agree with me, let’s face it, I know who to call. In this instance this is more about me being right, than the “truth” being dealt regardless of the outcome. If I want someone to tell me the truth regardless of the outcome, I, too, know who to call. There is a scripture that says, “Many are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of the enemy (Prov 27:6). What this principle is speaking to is the following:
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,.... That is, friendly reproofs/counsel; which, though they may be severe and or not what you want to hear, may grieve and wound, and cause pain and uneasiness for the present, yet, proceeding from a spirit of love, faithfulness, and integrity, it is designed for the good of the person, and should be kindly received. But those who only want your approval or really don’t care about your best interest will lie to you or say what you want to hear without the honest intent of helping you.
There’s a worldly “truth” and a biblical “truth”. You must decide in which arena of life advice is in your best interest. It should be no surprise to those who follow me that we are going to deal with “truth” from a biblical perspective.
It is amazing to me that there is a book that each of us have access to in many different languages yet the
Psalm 1, one of my favorites Psalms says, “How blessed is the man/woman who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. Nor stand in the path of sinners. Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his/her delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he/she meditates day and night. He/she will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he/she does, he/she prospers.”
This scripture summarized simple states that the person who takes wise counsel, stays away from the drama queens, and drama period, spends their time studying and meditating on the word of God, thrives in life. Regardless of what goes on around them in “their” season they will shine and prosper.
There’s another scripture that states, “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory” Proverbs 11:14
There is a word from God on wisdom. Please take the time to read it and let it soak in.
Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square; At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: “How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing and fools hate knowledge? “Turn to my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
“Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; and you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, When your dread comes like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, then distress and anguish come upon you. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. “They would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices. For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.” (Proverbs 1:20-33)
There are many more scriptures that speak about receiving wise counsel and how the one who seeks, listens, and applies that counsel will find peace in the midst of her storm. She will find refuge in a time of trouble. When her heart is broken she will discover it mended. When her dreams seems dashed she will be refreshed being remind of the faithfulness of God. When your marriage seems to be crumbling, she will find solace with a God who can repair anything. When finances seem low, you will be reminded that God has promised that He shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.
Trust me ladies and gentlemen – it’s in the operator’s manual. Ensure that you seek counsel within the confines of what you profess to believe then leave all the consequences to God!!
No comments:
Post a Comment