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Understanding the Counsel of God
I. What is Counsel?
A. English and Greek
B. Hebrew
C. Special advice and insight not available to just anyone—only to a close few.
D. Foundational purposes, values or mentalities.
E. Advice, guidance and direction to help put or keep someone on the best course.
II. What are the Various Sources of Counsel?
A. Natural Sources (JAMES 3:15)
1. Our own heart and mind
a) JEREMIAH 17:9; ECCLESIASTES 9:33—The heart cannot always be trusted.
b) PROVERBS 14:12; 16:25; 28:26—What may seem right to us isn’t necessarily good in God’s eyes.
c) PROVERBS 3:5-8; 19:21; 28:26—Our heart and mind may be out of sync with God’s plans.
2. Ungodly people around us
d) PSALM 1:1—Advice that disregards the Bible should be disregarded.
e) PSALM 10:2-11—Though someone may be prosperous, they might be missing the whole point of life.
f) PROVERBS 12:5; 22:24-25—We will become like those with whom we spend time.
3. Godly people (especially parents; see PROVERBS 4:1-4)
g) PROVERBS 11:14; 15:22; 24:6—Many counselors can help us find the best course.
h) PROVERBS 9:7-9; 10:17, 21; 12:15; 13:10; 27:6; 29:9—Wise people seek and listen to counsel from others.
B. Supernatural Sources
1. Sin and our old nature—PSALM 36:1; GALATIANS 5:17; HEBREWS 3:13.
2. Demonic forces—2 CORINTHIANS 11:3; 1 TIMOTHY 4:1; 1 JOHN 4:1.
3. God by His Spirit—JOHN 14:26; 16:13; 1 CORINTHIANS 2:10-14; ROMANS 8:5-6.
III. Why Does God Counsel Us?
A. To demonstrate the specialness of His relationship with us—Exodus 33:13-16; Deuteronomy 4:6-8; Ephesians 3:8-11; Hebrews 1: 1-2; 1 Peter 1:10-12.
B. To lead us into future blessing and good—Jeremiah 29:11-14; Isaiah 25:1; Psalm 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:10; 1 John 5:7-12.
IV. How Does God Counsel Us?
A. The Scriptures
B. Prophetic words and revelation
C. Circumstantial arrangements
D. Confirmations and bearing witness
E. Insights by spiritual leaders
F. Advice from family and friends
