Spirit of Counsel

Spirit of Counsel

Isaiah 55:6-8 ⁽⁶⁾Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near. ⁽⁷⁾Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God; for he will freely pardon. ⁽⁸⁾”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. ⁽⁹⁾ (NIV)

            There are many people who look to outside sources to receive counsel for their personal lives. Psychiatrists, therapists, psychologists, psychiatric drugs, clergy and even talk show hosts are sought after to help people solve life’s problems with the hope of a possible solution. Life coaches, motivational speakers, and counselors of every sort get paid big money to give people advice, answer questions, and offer a road map for the direction that their clients’ lives should go in. Although counsel can be great, many have failed to seek counsel from the LORD first. Psalm 16:7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me, even at night my heart instructs me. (NIV)

            God has given us the Counselor to lead and guide us in whatever decisions that we have to make. Whereas people can give counsel based upon their own opinions, which may be of a worldly point of view, the Holy Spirit gives us counsel based upon the will of God. His counsel will never contradict that of the Father, but will fulfill the plans that God has for us. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. (NIV) The best part about receiving counsel from the Holy Spirit is knowing that He will never guide you wrong. His words are of God because He is part of the Godhead; therefore, total trust can be given in knowing that He wants what’s best for us.

            How many people have laid on a therapist’s couch telling them all their problems only to be a dollar short with no answers? They may go week after week and still may not be able to come up with a solution to help whatever ails them. This is not to say that a person cannot get advice. Proverbs 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. (NIV) However, when seeking advice, the believer should go to God in prayer first and allow the Holy Spirit to be the one doing the leading. The Holy Spirit may indeed send another person of faith to help guide the believer in the right direction. But should this take place, one can be assured that this person will give wisdom from the Lord above that will never conflict with His laws. Amos 3:3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? (NIV)

            As a believer, we are to live in accordance to the Spirit. Ungodly counsel has led many astray, but to seek the counsel of God is to allow the Holy Spirit to do the leading. We are God’s temple and the Spirit dwells inside all who invites Him in. Therefore, we are not our own, but belong to the Lord. Romans 8:13-14 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (NIV) When the believer accepts Jesus as their personal Savior, all of Heaven rejoices. The Holy Spirit leads, guides, convicts and teaches right from wrong. He never forces Himself on anyone, but with an open heart, He will reside and give us the answers that we may so desperately seek. Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. (NIV)