Communication: Counsel
9 July 2017 PM – Proverbs 1:5 – Comm17 – Scott Childs
Introduction: (Proverbs 1:5) “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:”
There are five different Hebrew words in Proverbs translated “counsel”. Three of them (H6098, H3289, H4156) refer to counsel, advice, purpose or guidance from elders that is “upright and firm like a tree”. Another (H8458) describes something that is “bound by wrapping it with a rope”. Thus it is surrounding one with guidance, direction, good advice or counsel. One (H5475) applies to an assembly of persons who counsel another. It is often translated secret or secret counsel.
From these definitions we learn then that good counsel is stable upright advice like a firm tree which surrounds us like the bands of a rope to keep us from going astray.
Transition: Let’s discover what God wants us to know about counsel from the book of Proverbs.
1. The Source of Bad Counsel
a. From wicked people
1) (Proverbs 12:5) “The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.”
2) We should never receive counsel from wicked people. Their ways are evil. (Proverbs 4:14) “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.”
2. The Source of Good Counsel
a. Good counsel comes from God
1) God’s wisdom personified (Proverbs 8:14) “Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.”
2) (Proverbs 19:21) “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
3) (Proverbs 21:30) “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”
4) Remember what the apostle James wrote about God’s wisdom? (James 1:5) “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
b. Good counsel comes from wise people
1) (Proverbs 11:14) “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” When we are not securely surrounded our bound up with counsel we will fall. There is safety in the counsel of older and wiser people.
2) (Proverbs 20:5) “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.” This compares counsel to the refreshing cold water in a deep well. A person of understanding skill or insight will draw go to the work of drawing out that wise counsel.
3) (Proverbs 24:6) “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
c. Who are to be your wise counselors?
1) God is your wisest counselor. The more time you spend with Him, the wiser you will be. (James 1:5) “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
2) As your pastor, I seek to be a wise counselor as I draw on the Lord’s counsel.
3) If your spouse is a Christian who is doctrinally sound and walking close to the Lord, he or she should be a wise counselor.
4) Your parents should be wise counselors. They are older than you. They have more experience. They desire what is best for you. If they are walking close to the Lord, they too will draw on God’s counsel.
5) A Christian friend who is doctrinally sound and walking close to the Lord may be a wise counselor.
3. The Harm of Rejecting Good Counsel
a. Rejecters will eat the fruit of their own way.
1) In Proverbs 1:20-33 (read then emphasize the following); God’s wisdom is personified and is pleading with us to listen to its counsel. (Proverbs 1:25) “But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:”
2) (Proverbs 1:30) “They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.”
3) (Proverbs 1:31) “Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.”
b. Rejecting counsel leads to a fall
1) (Proverbs 11:14) “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
2) (Proverbs 15:22) “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
4. The Benefits of Good Counsel
a. When obeyed good counsel gives wisdom
1) (Proverbs 1:5) “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:”
2) (Proverbs 12:15) “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
3) (Proverbs 13:10) “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”
4) (Proverbs 19:20) “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”
b. Obeying good counsel brings joy
1) (Proverbs 12:20) “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.”
2) (Proverbs 27:9) “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.”
c. Obeying good counsel helps us avoid mistakes
1) (Proverbs 15:22) “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
2) (Proverbs 20:18) “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” For a country to go to war is a serious thing. It should only be entered into with good advice or wise counsel.
3) (Proverbs 24:6) “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
d. Obeying good counsel provides excellent direction
1) (Proverbs 22:20) “Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,”
2) The truth is we all need wise counsel on a regular basis.
Conclusion: Whose counsel have you been listening to? Have you been obeying good counsel from wise sources? If you have been resisting good counsel, you are heading for trouble. If you will follow good counsel, you will be wise, happy, avoid mistakes and receive good direction. The Bible is the very best source for wise counsel. God will never lead you astray.
The Unchanging Word
Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God—
Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.
I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!
Author possibly Martin Luther
The better you know the Lord and His Word, the wiser the choices you will make in life.
Song: Holy Bible, Book Divine, 179