Giving and Receiving WISE COUNSEL
PROVERBS 19:20-21
The answers to the riddles and problems of life lies with God. Therefore wise counselors know the God of the Bible and know the Bible of God. Together the God of the Word and the Word of God bring wise counsel to bear on the needs and circumstances of individuals. When we use advise from Scripture we rest assure that God will watch over it to preform it and give our counsel, which is His counsel, success. Isaiah 55:11 instructs us, "So will My Word be which goes forth from My mouth. It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." God’s Word brings forth spiritual life. It produces the fruit He plans, accomplishing His purpose.
All situation though are not specifically address by the Scriptures. In these situations we need to seek out godly counselors. The Bible’s profound insights should cause us to face and solve problem in the wisest way. Let’s look a the advise Proverbs offers us concerning wise counsel.
[Tahbulah translated counsel is probably related to the noun hobel or sailor, and may originally have meant "boat steering skill." Later, tahbulah was used figuratively to mean "the skill of steering or guiding actions." In the OT, tahbulah is used only in Job and Proverbs, always in its plural form. Tahbulah usually refers to the body of guidance, counsel, or strategy offered by a group of skilled counselors. The Hebrew wisdom tradition taught that the discerning man acquires wise counsel from skilled advisors (Prov. 1:5).]
Proverbs 8:14 teaches that wise counselors are those who know both the Lord and His Word. "Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine."
Wisdom enables people to give wise counsel and sound judgment, and to have understanding (insight) and power. Only God’s wisdom makes men capable of honestly holding and faithfully discharging the duties of a counselor or instructor.
Proverbs 12:15 indicates that humility, listening skills and discernment are essential to both those who given and receive counsel. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel."
Personal opinion becomes what is best to a fool. The fool (hardened, thickheaded) obstinately thinks his way is right (21:2), which explains why he will not receive instruction (1:7) no matter how clear and true it is. A fool persistently takes his own thinking as right, but the one who shows real wisdom is the one who listens to advice. The wise will listen to godly counsel because he realizes his fallen condition and inclination. He understands that his own thinking may not be the wisest or even correct.
Proverbs 13:10 teaches us to receive godly counsel and not to contend defiantly for our own way. "Through insolence comes nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those who receive counsel."
Insolence or pride (z don, from zîd, "to boil"; 11:2) means an unyielding arrogance. Such an inflated, know-it-all view of oneself leads to quarreling. In contrast a humble, wise spirit makes one willing to learn and take advice.
The root reason for contention is pride. Someone is envious of another, feels intimidated by another, or is hurt by another. What is the cure? Paul’s was simply to die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31). What ever our abilities, actively, thankfully receiving godly counsel will improve them.
Proverbs 15:22 states that without much counsel plans will go astray. "Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established."
Where "counsel" (especially from those who know us intimately and understand us personally, as the Hebrew word suggests) is absent, "plans" are frustrated and break down ("go awry"). When our perspective is enlarged by input from a number ("multitude") of caring, experienced and honest advisers ("counselors"), the plans will be examined and improved until they are "established,"(executed) or come to pass.
Practically speaking, it useful to have counselors who know you well, from whom you have few secrets, but who also have wide-ranging experience in the areas where you need help. Obviously, some pastors, elders and trustees play this role. But so do coworkers. Their knowledge of you and their intimacy with the situations you face combine to provide good advice. [Foolish are the ministers who do not listen to their wife, and assistants. Dangerous are the pastors who do not seek the counsel of their secretaries.] [Hubbard, David. The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol 15: Proverbs. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1989, S. 292.]
Proverbs 19:20 teaches us to break with our undisciplined self-will so that we can listen, learn and become wise. "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days."
The importance of persistence in continuing to receive instruction over a great length of time shows up "in your latter days." The promise is profound. One can attain the title of "wise." But the cost being wise is the long term discipline, the patient commitment to "listen" and "receive" (take in) to God’s Word.
Proverbs 19:21 states that we need God’s counsel in our heart instead of our own if we would do something that stands eternally. "Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand."
God’s counsel is elevated above human purposes, aims and subjectivity which permeates mankind and its history [Kiel & Delitzch. Commentary on the O.T. Vol 6. (1872) Eerdmans. Grand Rapids. 1978. p. 32]. We may have lots of ideas or thoughts, but it’s only God’s counsel that will truly stand. A person may and should make plans (16:1, 9) but God can sovereignly overrule and accomplish His purpose. [Walvoord, John & Zuck, Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983, p. 947.]
Zig Ziglar said, "The most influential person who will talk to you all day is you, so you should be careful about what you say to you."
Proverbs 20:18 advise us to deliberate and establish our plans with others before we act. "Plans are established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war."
We should get advice from others when making important plans (15:22). It is a long way from the conception of a great idea to its accomplishment. It needs the development and consideration of eventualities and the means to make it happen or bring it to successful realization.
What applies to us and church leaders must apply in spades to politicians and military officers. To "wage war" is always harmful and dangerous (11:14; 24:6; Luke 14:31); to do so on bad advice is a heinous crime. War will be disastrous unless it is directed with the greatest of wisdom and skill (Isa 24:6). "Plans" for force or violence of any kind need checking and rechecking with the wisest resources available [Hubbard, 292].
[If the best of the best, highly qualified experienced generals seek counsel to wage war, shouldn’t we seek counsel in the battles of life? It’s foolhardily to ignore the wisdom and experience of those who have walk faithfully with the Lord. " "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel" (Proverbs 12:15).
Proverbs 21:30 warns us that no wisdom or plan can avail against God. "There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the Lord."
Human wisdom is no match against God’s wisdom. No wisdom or plans of any person can ultimately thwart the Lord’s plans, for He is sovereign (Job 42:2) and all-wise. No theological, scientific, or political insight, system or method can prevail against Him (Dan. 10:12; Neh. 3:37; Job 28:28).
When I argue with God, I lose. When I fight against God, I lose. God never loses. The outcome is already determined. God always wins. Therefore, anything contrary to the Word—no matter how wise and mystical it might seem—is destined to fail. [Courson, Jon: Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. Vol 2: Psalms-Malachi. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2006, S. 248.]
Proverbs 27:9 indicates that the sympathetic godly counsel of a friend refreshes the soul. "Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend."
A friend’s earnest counsel is as sweet or pleasant as the fragrance emanating from perfume and incense. Genuine advice shows that a person cares. How graciously sweet is the encouragement of a friend. A true friend’s prudent counsel anoints and ministers sweetness to the soul or heart.
IN CLOSING
Life has given us many opportunities and challenges. God wants us to handle them in the best way. The Bible’s profound insights should cause us to face and solve problem in the wisest way. Be sure you always seek out godly counsel for any endeavor or problem you are facing.
