(Section 4) More Elements That Contribute To Guidance

(Section 4 His Will)

IV. MORE ELEMENTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO GUIDANCE

A. INTRODUCTION

If we are honest, we shall never be certain that our motives are absolutely pure.

We know our own hearts too well. In such a decision we must pray for a true objectivity

and ask God to give us such an overriding desire for His honor and glory that we are able

to judge aright. But it is no good indulging in endless introspection. We must make allowances for our own selfishness and get on.

By all means we must pray about it, and ask to be given a willingness which does not

come naturally to us, and a fresh love for Him which makes selfish considerations small. But then we must turn to the objective task of seeking out the divine wisdom of the matter, determined that, by God's grace, we will obey whatever is right.

--Oliver R. Barclay

B. THE VALUE OF COUNSEL

1. Scriptures

a. Counsel Defined:

03289 ya`ats {yaw-ats'} a primitive root; TWOT - 887; v

AV - counsel 25, counsellor 22, consult 9, give 7, purposed 5, advice 2, determined 2,

advise 2, deviseth 2, taken 2, misc 2; 80

1) to advise, consult, give counsel, counsel, purpose, devise, plan

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to advise, counsel, give counsel, consult

1a2) counsellor (participle)

1b) (Niphal) to consult together, exchange counsel, deliberate, counsel together

1c) (Hithpael) to conspire

Experience proves that wise and godly counsel is one of the most valuable channels of guidance. pg 86

b. Wicked Counsel --- Balaam

Num 31:16 “Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam,

to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague

among the congregation of the LORD.”

Rehoboam Divides the Kingdom I Kings 12:1-16 Read

Ahaziah Ruling Judah II Chron 22:1 -5 Read

c. Godly Counsel

(1) Safety Prov 11:14 “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

Safety Defined:

08668 t shuw`ah {tesh-oo-aw'} or t shu`ah {tesh-oo-aw'} from 07768 in the sense of 03467; TWOT - 929e; n f

AV - salvation 17, deliverance 5, help 5, safety 4, victory 3; 34

1) salvation, deliverance

1a) deliverance (usually by God through human agency)

1b) salvation (spiritual in sense)

If men will not take time and pains to deliberate with themselves, or are so confident of their own judgment that they scorn to consult with others, they are not likely to bring anything considerable to pass; circumstances defeat them which, with a little consultation, might have been foreseen and obviated. It is a good rule, both in public and domestic affairs, to do nothing rashly and of one's own head. (AGES Digital --- Proverbs)

(2) Wisdom

Prov 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”

Prov 13:10 “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”

(3) Being Disappointed or Established

Prov 15:22 “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”

Disappointed Defined:

06565 parar {paw-rar'} a primitive root; TWOT - 1829,1830,1831; v

AV - break 25, make void 5, defeat 2, disannul 2, disappoint 2, frustrate 2, come to nought 2, break asunder 1, cause to cease 1, clean 1, dissolved 1, divide 1, misc 5; 50

1) to break, frustrate

1a) (Hiphil)

1a1) to break, violate

1a2) to frustrate, make ineffectual

1b) (Hophal)

1b1) to be frustrated

1b2) to be broken

1b3) to break

1c) (Pilpel) to break to bits, shatter

2) to split, divide

2a) (Qal) to split, crack through

2b) (Poel) to break apart

2c) (Hithpoel) to be split, be cracked through

Be Godly and Go for the Gold

Rev 3:18 “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest

be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

2. Purpose --- I have learned the value of dialogue and consultation, for they stimulate thought, broaden vision, and give deeper insight into the issues at stake

3. Advice is only as good as the one who gives it, so one should give careful thought to the question of whom to consult. pg 86

SOME GUIDELINES TO SEEKING COUNSEL:

a. Choose some mature person or persons in whom you have confidence, who will be able to give objective and biblical judgment.

b. Avoid approaching someone whom you are sure will give advice along the lines you want to hear.

c. Beware of incompetent or inexperienced advisers.

d. In a major decision it would be wise to seek advice from more than one person.

e. Don't avoid seeking advice from someone who might give adverse counsel. It is good to hear the negative as well as the positive side of the case.