Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

In considering the Discipline of Counsel we not only have to consider godly counsel we also have to consider ungodly counsel. Psalm 1:1 tells us “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked”.

We are often being “counseled” more than we might be willing to admit. In the “old” days when parents said, “Be careful of the company you keep” they meant the friends and associates that were physically in the same vicinity we were in. Now “walking in the counsel of the wicked” is a lot more complicated. We can walk with ungodly counsel on the internet, on TV, in books, as well as with physical associates. To make matters worse, an enormous sum of money is being spent by marketers of all types to provide you with counsel, whether you are seeking it or not. The consequences of listening to the right counsel can be very significant. Recall the story of Joshua and Caleb as told in Numbers 13 and 14. Moses sent twelve men out to scout the land of Canaan. Except for Joshua and Caleb, the counsel of the scouts was that the inhabitants of the land were too powerful for the children of Israel. Fortunately, Moses listened to the counsel of Joshua and Caleb.

Today let’s recognize that we are being influenced in many ways. Renewing our mind through the Word serves as a primary strategy, but the Holy Spirit also provides for us the Discipline of seeking wise counsel. To get wise counsel, watch the company you keep. Having a group of brothers and sisters in Christ that you can really trust is a great place to start.

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