Mentoring Manna:  Counsel in the heart of man

© 2003 Pastor Keith Hassell

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Counsel in the heart of man:  Proverbs 20:25  “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.”  Counsel is like gold hidden deep in the heart of man. But gold has to be mined in order for it to be beneficial.  Counsel is like jewels that once unearthed are treasures to those who find them.  Counsel is like rivers flowing deep underground.  A person can die of thirst when there exists a river of water deep in the ground under his feet!  So it is in the hearts of those who know the Lord.  The Wonderful Counselor lives within our hearts.  We have been given His mind, the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)  We have also been given the Holy Spirit so that we might know what is in His mind (1 Corinthians 2:9-16).  His counsels flow as deep waters.  If we would take the time to look to the Lord and speak truth in our hearts, we would tap into this great Source of counsel from God.  Counsel is given by the Lord but flows deep within.  We need to put God’s word into our heart.  David said, “Thy word have I hidden in my heart.”  In our time of need we can draw upon its wisdom and counsel.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, we need to tap into the mind of Christ and draw out the wisdom and understanding that comes from above.  The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom nuggets mined chiefly by King Solomon.  King Solomon was a man who knew how to draw upon the spirit of wisdom.  Because of God’s word and the Holy Spirit given to us, there are counsels that can minister to our own situations.  God has also placed within each of us a treasure house of counsel and godly experience that needs to be drawn out and shared with the next generation.  We don’t need to keep it hidden away or untapped.  A man of understanding will also learn how to “draw” from the deep waters of wisdom and counsel in the heart of those who have walked with the Lord and known His ways.  Don’t follow in the counsel of the ungodly.   Seek out people with godly wisdom and draw out the nuggets of silver and gold hidden away inside of them.  Remember, “A man of understanding will draw it out.”

Application:  Have you ever realized that God has given you the mind of Christ?  Of course, you still have your own mind also!  The natural mind cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they seem foolish (1 Corinthians 2:14).  Christ lives in each of us and thus we have His mind.  However, we cannot know His mind with our own ability.  We need the help of the Holy Spirit to tap into this great Source of understanding and counsel.  Through prayer, study of God’s word, worship, and especially meditation, the Holy Spirit will help us draw out the riches of His wisdom.  Learn to spend time before the Lord and mine these nuggets of wisdom.  They will soon become your greatest treasure!  Write them down. Share them with others.  Seek out those men and women of God who know God and walk with Him.  Listen and ask questions in order to draw out the nuggets of silver and gold within.  A man of understanding has learned how to draw out the deep counsels that others walk right on top of and are never aware.  Allow yourself to be used by God to minister to others.  In doing so, they will draw upon the riches of Christ within you.  You may be surprised what comes out of your mouth as men and women in need draw upon your counsel.  One word of caution:  Make sure your counsel is biblically sound and not just your opinion!  Trust the Holy Spirit to give you what you need at the right time.  He is faithful!

Prayer:  “Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for giving me the mind of Christ.  I thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit so that I may know the counsels that are from You.  Help me to draw upon Your mind rather than from my own.  Help me to be a vessel whereby Your wisdom and counsel can help many other and cause them to glorify You, the Source of all wisdom and counsel.  I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

We love you!

Pastors Keith & Sheila

Grace Fellowship

P.O. Box 260

Rusk, Texas 75785

(903) 683-6550