The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. (Proverbs 12:15)
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.. (Proverbs 13:10)
We have entered the last week before Passion Week and we have three more Disciplines to cover: Counsel, Creation and Sabbath. We will cover these three Disciplines this week, and continue to reflect on our theme for this year, Our Identity. We will start with Counsel.
God clearly puts people in our lives to advise us, and discussions with other believers can certainly help with questions related to our identity. This is certainly one of the major benefits of fellowship. For many of us though, seeking counsel is a sign of weakness.
Please prayerfully reflect on the Bible passages above.
Something to think about:
Why should seeking counsel be an essential component of seeking a Christ-centered identity?
March 19, 2018 at 5:31 am
Even with the Bible as my ultimate guide, there are times when I am confused or uncertain about the best course of action in some situations. My goal in life is to please God in all I do. With that in mind, I don’t want to do something that goes against the will of God. Therefore, I make sure I turn to someone who I trust will always use their knowledge and understanding of God’s word to help, guide, and advise me. Following their Godly advice helps me keep on the path of reaching the goal of becoming a Christ-centered individual.
March 19, 2018 at 5:55 am
Jesus seemed to always take counsel/advice from his father. In the body of Christ we are interdependent NOT independent. We need each other in order for us to be able to function effectively as a body. Part of needing each other is taking advice/counsel from one another. No one person has it all or knows it all except God of course. Taking advice/counsel shows humility which helps us to be identified with Christ.
March 19, 2018 at 6:55 am
Examples in the Bible show wise men seeking counsel: Moses and David come to mind. They took time to seek out the advise of others older and wiser then they. In some instances the wise person comes to them, at God’s prompting, to offer counsel.
We were designed for fellowship, for interacting, for learning from and with each other. The more I understand myself I understand others and the reverse is true. The more I understand others the more I understand myself. We are all His handiwork unique in many ways but similar as well.
March 19, 2018 at 1:05 pm
I agree with Duane. Jesus always seemed to be taking advice from God. If Him, then certainly us. Now that I’m older I stand amazed at the stupid things I thought and did when I was younger, some of them certainly not god honouring or god-centric. I’m thankful for His Word for providing counsel and also being able to sit with others and hearing their counsel as well. It certainly helped me and the situations we were in.
March 19, 2018 at 3:50 pm
Seeking advice through The Word and people whom you know will not mislead you as they should be wise in the Word is imperative.
You are not alone and if I had listened to advice when I was young as someone else mentioned things may have turned out differently .
March 19, 2018 at 8:45 pm
looking back, men were expected to face the tough times and take it as a man. I cannot remember, my father or brothers indicating that they were struggling with anything or needed assistance. I certainly, did not seek out opportunities for wise counsel. The end result i made a lot of blunders.
I must admit, the men’s group provided a safe environment for sharing and growing. I admitted a few times to one of our dear brother in Christ, that i look forward to the meeting on Saturdays. for me this provides an ideal opportunity to bounce off ideas, to seek wise counsel.
March 20, 2018 at 10:13 pm
Seeking counsel should be an essential component of seeking a Christ-centered identity because there is wisdom in counsel and as children of God it should be our nature to be wise and victorious, among other positive things. Proverbs 15: 22 tells us, “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” Proverbs 11:14 states: ‘Where there’s no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Many other scriptures attest to the fact that counsel is crucial in our walk with Christ. The crux of the matter is that we seek WISE counsel as the Bible is replete with examples of poor counsel that people accepted when they refused to listen to God and ultimately suffered the consequences. Whenever I seek advice I ensure that it’s from someone who gives good and godly counsel, even as I in turn do the same.