Wise Guidance
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I wonder if I should turn to someone?
I wonder if I should turn to someone?
We cannot avoid trouble, nor tribulation according to the scripture (Psm46:1-3; 1Pt5:10; Jam1:2-4 and Jn16:33). Tonight we are looking at the why we need and should seek wise counsel. The where we should seek wise counsel. The who we should seek wise counsel from, and dangers in seeking counsel. And in case you are wondering, how you can be a wise counselor.
Some of the trouble, some of the tribulations we face can be at our own hand, the hand of others, or even the hand of God.
Our own hand with sin, or maybe simple like David and Bathsheba
At the hands of others like David at hand of Saul, the early church at the hand of Saul of Tarsus prior to his conversion.
At the hand of God; Job finally figures out that God allowed, God orchestrated his problems to prove his faithfulness and love
But I mentioned some scriptures before let me touch on at least one of them
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Don’t we all need people we can turn to or count on in times of trouble? But who we turn to, where we turn is very important, but first we have face the fact that we need to turn somewhere and not try to carry our troubles, trials and tribulations on our own.
Reasons people do not want to seek counsel
I can figure it out on my own, I don’t need someone else.
What if I speak to someone, they may judge me?
Everyone is a gossip, if I speak to someone, everyone will know my business?
How do I know I’m getting wise counsel if I speak to someone? So I better not.
What if someone sees me, what will they think, what will they say?
I’m a Christian I have God that is all I need.
Having someone we can turn to is biblical too. (Ecc4:9-12)
9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
So first question for the night.
When you think of someone you can turn to, who do you think of?
So now, into the lesson for tonight.
Why should we seek counsel?
Why should we seek counsel?
Scripture tells us to seek counsel
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Commanded (Pro20:18) suggested (Pro12:15)
seek counsel from ___________
By biblical examples (Ps55:22; Mt11:28-29; 1Kng22:5)
How about a couple of Biblical examples: ________________________
life experience examples of others (2Cor1:5-7)
How about people who have been through _________ experiences
_____________________________________________
Commanded (Pro20:18) suggested (Pro12:15)
18 Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance.
Wise guidance, prepare by wise guidance, by consultation (hint, hint, get advice)
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
So, we are commanded, we are suggested to seek counsel the first place we should turn is the to the One who is wise, God. So from God through His word.
Commanded (Pro20:18) suggested (Pro20:15)
By biblical examples (Ps55:22; Mt11:28-29; 1Kng22:5)
22 Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
The Psalmist says cast your turns on the Lord, but what else does he say in this verse?
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Jesus tells us what to do and what will the results be?
Then there is a wise example from King of Judah King Jehoshaphat
5 Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the Lord.”
He gave some wise advise to do what?
Commanded (Pro20:18) suggested (Pro20:15)
By biblical examples (Ps55:22; Mt11:28-29; 1Kng22:5)
Life experience examples of others (2Cor1:5-7)
There are people who have been through similar situations and they are good to turn to.
Look at what Paul says:
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
Have you been through things in your life that your life experiences have been shared to help comfort someone else?
Now the next question
Where should we seek counsel?
Where should we seek counsel?
Seeking counsel is a big deal. It is humbling, and it is risk taking, but now knowing where to seek counsel, guidance, advise. Things that you need to take into consideration prior to seeking counsel
It depends on the nature and extent of the thing you are seeking counsel about.
It depends on the available resources
Spiritual: Elders; counseling minister
Family
Friends
Other Christians
And professional
We need to know the Bible, the New Testament gives us some examples of helping one another (Tit2:1-8; Gal6:2)
1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. 6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;
7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible and sound in faith.
Older women, reverent, not malicious gossips, teaching what is good to younger women
Young men, sensible, showing yourself to be a good example with purity in doctrine and sound speech above reproach)
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
So there you have some biblical examples that end with bearing one another’s burdens and fulfilling the law of Christ which is love!
Still we need to be careful where we get counsel. Here is a biblical example of getting some poor counsel (1Kngs12:6-15)
6 King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?” 7 Then they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant them their petition, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”
8 But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him. 9 So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”
10 The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ But you shall speak to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins! 11 ‘Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’ ”
12 Then Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king had directed, saying, “Return to me on the third day.” 13 The king answered the people harshly, for he forsook the advice of the elders which they had given him,
14 and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” 15 So the king did not listen to the people; for it was a turn of events from the Lord, that He might establish His word, which the Lord spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
(Personal illustration of good counsel 1-2 minutes)
Now that leads to next point.
In whom should we seek guidance (counsel)?
In whom should we seek guidance (counsel)?
Seeking counsel is important and it is wise to do. Where is important, but the who we seek counsel from is just as important (Rom15:14) gives us some good qualities.
14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.
So, now ask yourself when you are going to seek counsel from someone are they:
Full of goodness
Full of knowledge
Able to admonish (correct, rebuke, encourage) in love
Some more questions to consider when considering the whom you seek counsel from.
Biblically spiritual person?
Tight mouthed?
Have success, victory in the area you are seeking counsel in?
Own life a reflection of Christ?
Now choosing to seek counsel and where to seek and in whom to seek counsel are all important, but we need to know there are some dangers too.
Some dangers in seeking guidance (counsel)
Some dangers in seeking guidance (counsel)
Some dangers we should consider when seeking counsel. First (2Cor10:12) - We cannot expect others to be like us and we cannot compare ourselves to others.
12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
Not everyone is qualified, so consider these things. Now this is pretty subjective but worth considering
Danger in looking for someone who will co-sign, or rubber stamp your thoughts
Danger of not really listening to the counsel given
Danger of not really identifying the problem
Danger of waiting to long to seek counsel
Danger of getting too much counsel
Danger of wanting answers instead of finding solutions
We have looked at lot’s of areas regarding wise guidance, counsel. There is one more would like to cover before we close tonight.
How to be a wise counselor
How to be a wise counselor
Wise guidance and wise counsel are found in the One who gives all wisdom. So the more of Him you put in you, the more can come out. And it is not your wisdom but His.
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Check your attire (Col3:12-15)
Leave baggage behind (Eph4:22-27)
Put on love (Col3:14)
Let peace dwell in you (Php4:7-9)
Be thankful (Ps138:1-3)
Be filled (Col3:16)
Be willing (Gal6:2)
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Check your attire (Col3:12-15)
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Put on heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience with a heart of forgiveness
Check your attire (Col3:12-16)
Leave baggage behind (Eph4:22-27)
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
Remember you are not who you used to be, so leave that baggage behind.
Check your attire (Col3:12-16)
Leave baggage behind (Eph4:22-27)
Put on love (Col3:14)
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
When you put on love, you are putting on the perfect bond of unity.
Let peace dwell in you (Php4:7-9)
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Let peace dwell in you (Php4:7-9)
Be thankful (Ps138:1-3)
1 I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.
3 On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.
Be thankful with all your heart, and let it sing, let it ring out from a thankful heart.
Let peace dwell in you (Php4:7-9)
Be thankful (Ps138:1-3)
Be filled (Col3:16)
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Let God’s word fill you richly; and let your voice again sing out from thankful heart
Let peace dwell in you (Php4:7-9)
Be thankful (Ps138:1-3)
Be filled (Col3:16)
Be willing (Gal6:2)
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
We need to be willing to bear one another’s burdens!
There are many examples as we have seen in the scripture of seeking guidance, seeking counsel. Some good and some not so good. In this world where there are so many hurting, wandering, wondering, lost people. Even within the church people are hurt, or some that have been hurt by the church even. We have an opportunity to lead people to wise guidance through the Word and by our examples of seeking counsel ourselves and not being ashamed of it.
(encouragement slide) encouragement ( encouragement slide 2) prayer (exit slide)