In order to Give Godly & Biblical counsel, we need to be in a position to do so- in other words- we must be prepared to do so.
We understand the importance of giving Biblical counsel and advice- but far too often we don’t know the Bible well enough to give BIBLICAL advice!!
On the other hand, in order to attempt to give godly or scriptural advice we have to stop ourselves and think, “What does the Bible say about this? Is there a
biblical principle that applies here?” It is not natural for us to do so. We have to choose to go there, decide to make the effort involved and risk going against the flow to deliver what we find.
5 KEYS TO GIVING GODLY COUNSEL
First let’s look at things that will facilitate the practice of giving godly counsel:
1. We must PRAY to ask God to give us biblical wisdom when giving advice/counsel
2. LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE QUESTION/ISSUE- DON’T HAVE PREDETERMINED SOLUTIONS IN MIND
To give godly counsel we must make the intentional effort to hear the question, or see the circumstance from the perspective of the eternal paradigm. Rather
than simply spouting off our answer or input through our “natural” worldly ways, we need to slow down, stop and ask the question, “What does the Bible say
about this? Is there a biblical principle that applies here?”
3. We must remember our advice may have ETERNAL impact
4. OVERCOME THE TEMPTATION OF BELIEVING YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO OFFER
5. SOMETIMES IT TAKES COURAGE TO BE THE “LONE VOICE” AND SPEAK GODLY ADVICE
Accept the fact that the one giving truly godly counsel will often be a lonely voice, at least at first. Godly counsel is not always easily received or quickly
affirmed. Godly counsel is always opposed by the evil one and his workers so don’t be alarmed when it happens. The responsibility of a counselor is to
speak the truth in love. As soon as he has done so the responsibility shifts to the one who is given the counsel. The counselor’s part is to speak, it is up to
the other party to hear or refuse to hear. Where there are other godly people involved, godly counsel will most often be confirmed and affirmed by others,
although not always. But remember this, God will bless the giver for his obedience no matter what the receiver does with the counsel.
Giving godly counsel will be greatly enhanced as we learn to approach the process with these points in mind.
There are no limits on the extent or value of the counsel that is available to us as children of God. His Spirit lives in each of us and that fact gives each
of us access to His wisdom. He can and will speak to us through others who have His Spirit indwelling them. He can speak through a donkey if need be, but
normally prefers to use His people. In Truth@Work we have seen countless examples of this blessing. We have many stories of how God has spoken to one
member or another through the group. It has been wonderful, but we can go much farther. We have only scratched the surface of what is truly available.
We must press on, go deeper, to be all the men and women He would have us be. What we have seen is good, but it’s only just begun!
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