What other Bible verses stress the value of seeking wise counsel? The Anchor Verse Proverbs 11:14: “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but with many counselors there is deliverance.” Why Wise Counsel Matters • God designed us to need more than our own perspective. • Scripture is clear—safety, success, and spiritual health flourish in community. • When we listen to godly voices, we echo the pattern God set for His people from Genesis onward. Counsel in the Proverbs • Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.” • Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” • Proverbs 20:18 – “Set plans by consultation, and wage war with sound guidance.” • Proverbs 24:6 – “Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.” The Psalms: God’s Counsel First • Psalm 1:1 – “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…” • Psalm 32:8 – “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.” • Psalm 119:24 – “Your testimonies are indeed my delight; they are my counselors.” Prophets: Human Plans vs. Divine Counsel • Isaiah 30:1-2 – “Woe to the rebellious children… who carry out a plan that is not Mine…” • Isaiah 9:6 – “…and He will be called Wonderful Counselor…” • Jeremiah 32:19 – The LORD is “great in counsel and mighty in deed.” Jesus: The Ultimate Counselor • Matthew 7:24 – “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” • His very title “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6) invites us to place His wisdom above every competing voice. The Early Church: Decisions in Community • Acts 15:28 – “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” (Jerusalem Council) • Acts 18:26 – Priscilla and Aquila “explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Paul’s Letters: Body Life Requires Shared Wisdom • Romans 12:16 – “Live in harmony with one another… Do not be conceited.” • 1 Corinthians 12:21 – “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you.’” • Ephesians 4:11-13 – Christ gave gifted leaders “to equip the saints.” • Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom.” Other New-Testament Voices • Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls…” • James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God…” • James 3:17 – “The wisdom from above is… peace-loving, gentle, reasonable…” • James 5:16 – “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another…” Putting It into Practice • Start with God’s Word—Psalm 119:24 reminds us Scripture itself counsels us. • Pray for discernment—James 1:5 promises God will supply wisdom generously. • Seek multiple godly voices—Proverbs 15:22 underscores the strength of “many advisers.” • Value spiritual leadership—Hebrews 13:17 calls us to honor those who “watch over” us. • Stay teachable—Acts 18:26 shows even gifted believers like Apollos benefited from correction. • Weigh every counsel against the ultimate Counselor—Isaiah 9:6 points us back to Jesus, whose guidance never fails. |
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