In the biblical context, "counsels" refers to advice, guidance, or plans, often associated with wisdom and discernment. The concept of counsel is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of seeking divine guidance and wise advice in decision-making and life choices.

Divine Counsel

The Bible frequently highlights the supremacy of God's counsel over human understanding. In Isaiah 46:10, God declares, "My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all that I please." This underscores the belief that God's plans are sovereign and ultimately prevail over human intentions. Proverbs 19:21 echoes this sentiment: "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail."

Human Counsel

While divine counsel is paramount, the Bible also acknowledges the value of human counsel, particularly when it aligns with godly wisdom. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." This verse highlights the importance of seeking advice from multiple sources to ensure sound decision-making.

The book of Proverbs is replete with references to the importance of wise counsel. Proverbs 15:22 notes, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." This suggests that collaboration and seeking diverse perspectives can lead to successful outcomes.

Counsel in Leadership

Biblical leaders often sought counsel to guide their actions and decisions. King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, is a prime example. In 1 Kings 3:9, Solomon asks God for "an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil." His request for divine counsel underscores the importance of wisdom in leadership.

Conversely, the failure to seek or heed wise counsel can lead to disastrous consequences. Rehoboam, Solomon's son, rejected the advice of the elders and followed the counsel of his peers, leading to the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12:6-15).

Counsel of the Wicked

The Bible also warns against ungodly counsel. Psalm 1:1 advises, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of mockers." This verse serves as a caution against following advice that leads away from righteousness and God's will.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

In the New Testament, the role of the Holy Spirit as a counselor is emphasized. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the "Counselor" or "Helper" in John 14:26: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." The Holy Spirit provides believers with guidance, wisdom, and understanding, continuing the theme of divine counsel.

Conclusion

The concept of counsel in the Bible underscores the importance of seeking wisdom and guidance from both divine and human sources. Whether through the counsel of the Holy Spirit, the wisdom of Scripture, or the advice of godly individuals, the pursuit of wise counsel is a recurring theme that encourages believers to align their decisions with God's will and purpose.3466. musterion -- a mystery or secret doctrine
... moos-tay'-ree-on) Short Definition: anything hidden, a mystery Definition: a mystery,
secret, of which initiation is necessary; in the NT: the counsels of God ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3466.htm - 7k8458. tachbulah -- direction, counsel
... Word Origin from chabal Definition direction, counsel NASB Word Usage counsels
(1), guidance (2), wise counsel (1), wise guidance (2). fornication, whoredom. ...
/hebrew/8458.htm - 6k

6098. etsah -- counsel, advice
... from yaats Definition counsel, advice NASB Word Usage advice (11), consultation
(2), counsel (52), counselor* (1), counselors* (1), counsels (1), designs (1 ...
/hebrew/6098.htm - 6k

4156. moetsah -- counsel, plan, principle, device
... devices. Word Origin from yaats Definition counsel, plan, principle, device
NASB Word Usage counsels (3), devices (4). counsel, device. ...
/hebrew/4156.htm - 6k

8459. Tochu -- an ancestor of Samuel
... good advice, wise counsels. From an unused root meaning to depress; abasement; Tochu,
an Israelite -- Tohu. 8458, 8459. Tochu. 8460 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8459.htm - 6k

Parting Counsels
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END PARTING COUNSELS. 'And now, behold, I go bound in the
spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/parting counsels.htm

Whether Certain Definite Counsels are Fittingly Proposed in the ...
... OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE CONTAINED IN THE NEW LAW (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether certain
definite counsels are fittingly proposed in the New Law? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether certain definite counsels are.htm

Instructions and Counsels to Confessors and Spiritual Directors.
... Internal and External Penance. CHAP. VI. Instructions and Counsels to
Confessors and Spiritual Directors. 28. The highest and most ...
/.../chap vi instructions and counsels.htm

Counsels and Reminiscences of Soeur Therese, the Little Flower of ...
... THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SOEUR TH??R??SE OF LISIEUX, ENTITLED BY HERSELF: "THE STORY OF
THE SPRINGTIME OF A LITTLE WHITE FLOWER" COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES OF ...
/.../therese/story of a soul/counsels and reminiscences of soeur.htm

The Wisdom of God's Counsels
... Second Series Sermon 68 The Wisdom of God's Counsels. ... How unfathomable are
his counsels, and his paths past tracing out!". Footnotes: ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 68 the wisdom of.htm

A Continuation of the Preceding Discourse. How Every One, While ...
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD, SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ix a continuation of.htm

Whether Every Religious is Bound to Keep all the Counsels?
... OF THOSE THINGS IN WHICH THE RELIGIOUS STATE PROPERLY CONSISTS (TEN ARTICLES)
Whether every religious is bound to keep all the counsels? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether every religious is bound.htm

Of the Conformity of Our Will to that Will of God which is ...
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD, SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi of the conformity.htm

That the Contempt of the Evangelical Counsels is a Great Sin.
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD, SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii that the contempt.htm

Whether, in this Life, Perfection Consists in the Observance of ...
... Whether, in this life, perfection consists in the observance of the
commandments or of the counsels? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether in this life perfection.htm

Counsels (22 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Counsels (22 Occurrences). ... Romans 11:34 "Who has ever
known the mind of the Lord, or shared His counsels?" (WEY). ...
/c/counsels.htm - 12k

Devices (43 Occurrences)
... Let them fall by their own counsels; Thrust them out in the multitude of their
transgressions, for they have rebelled against you. (See NAS). ...
/d/devices.htm - 18k

Stubbornness (14 Occurrences)
... Psalms 81:12 So I let them go after the stubbornness of their hearts, that
they might walk in their own counsels. (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS). ...
/s/stubbornness.htm - 11k

Stubborn (40 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 81:12 So I let them go after the
stubbornness of their hearts, that they might walk in their own counsels. ...
/s/stubborn.htm - 18k

Counselors (21 Occurrences)

/c/counselors.htm - 13k

Peter (181 Occurrences)
... He counsels (1) to steadfastness and perseverance under persecution (1-2:10); (2)
to the practical duties of a holy life (2:11-3:13); (3) he adduces the ...
/p/peter.htm - 101k

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... This then was the literary form in which from the time of Solomon onward the sages
of the nation put their counsels of life, character, conduct; it became as ...
/p/proverbs.htm - 43k

Sirach
... CONTENTS IV. TEACHING 1. Religion 2. Morals 3. Manners 4. Counsels of Prudence V.
LITERARY FORM VI. AUTHOR 1. Jesus, Son of Sirach 2. Other Views VII. ...
/s/sirach.htm - 34k

Observers (5 Occurrences)
... toward Jehovah have been confident. (YLT). Isaiah 47:13 Thou art wearied in
the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the interpreters of ...
/o/observers.htm - 7k

Jeremiah (141 Occurrences)
... Johanan succeeded Gedaliah, and refusing to listen to Jeremiah's counsels, went
down into Egypt, taking Jeremiah and Baruch with him (Jeremiah 43:6). There ...
/j/jeremiah.htm - 75k

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