How can we apply Job 26:3 to our daily decision-making processes? The Verse in Focus Job 26:3: “How you have counseled the unwise and provided great insight!” What the Verse Teaches About Counsel - Scripture records Job’s ironic comment to his friend, yet it still highlights a timeless truth: sound counsel exists, and it matters. - God expects His people to value, seek, and dispense counsel that aligns with His revealed Word. Why This Matters for Daily Decisions - Every choice—career, finances, relationships, ministry—either reflects divine wisdom or human folly (Proverbs 14:12). - Accurate, Scripture-shaped counsel guards us from self-deception, impulse, and cultural drift. Seek God’s Counsel First - Make Scripture the primary input: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). - Begin each decision process by asking, “What has God already said about this?” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). - Pray for clarity: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously” (James 1:5). Invite Faithful Human Counsel - God often speaks through godly believers (Proverbs 11:14; 27:6). - Look for advisers who: • Know Scripture well. • Walk in obedience. • Tell the truth in love—not merely what you want to hear. - Weigh advice against the Bible; agreement with God’s Word confirms reliability. Filter Every Voice Through Scripture - Even trusted friends can be wrong (as Job’s friends were). - Test ideas: • Does this counsel honor Christ’s lordship? (Colossians 3:17) • Will it promote righteousness and peace? (Romans 14:17-19) • Is it free from compromise with sin? (Psalm 1:1-2) Cultivate Humility and Teachability - Recognize personal limits: “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). - Hold plans loosely, ready to adjust when Scripture or wise counsel points elsewhere (Proverbs 16:9). Offer Sound Counsel to Others - Job 26:3 challenges us to provide “great insight,” not empty opinions. - Share counsel only after: • Prayerfully consulting Scripture. • Listening carefully to the person’s full story (Proverbs 18:13). • Examining your own motives and lifestyle (Matthew 7:5). Practical Daily Steps 1. Read a portion of Scripture each morning, noting any principle that applies to choices you anticipate. 2. Keep a running list of mature believers you can text or call before major decisions. 3. When options arise, jot them down and place related verses beside each one. 4. Delay final decisions until you have prayed, searched Scripture, and—when appropriate—sought counsel. 5. Revisit past choices; identify where biblical counsel saved you from error and thank God for His guidance. |
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