Aug

seek good counsel, you won’t regret it.

My brother in the Lord posted this scripture on facebook and it hit me square in the eye:

Prov: 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

First of all let me preface this by saying the counsel you seek should be GOOD counsel. What is good counsel? I’m glad you asked. The best way to determine if someone can give good counsel is by their fruit. What I mean by that is, if you are seeking counsel about, say, a marriage issue, look for someone you trust and has solid evidence of a good marriage. I wouldn’t seek counsel on marriage issues from someone who doesn’t have a healthy respect for their spouse and talks negatively about marriage all the time. That person will likely lead you down the wrong path. If it is a business issue, look for someone who has a solid approach to business and has evidence of success in that area. It doesn’t mean they’ve never had problems. It just means they seem to know how to deal with the problems they have faced and might be able to help you face them as well.
Simply put, they can’t lead you where they’ve never been.
Another key aspect of good counsel is someone who will tell you what you NEED to hear, not just what you WANT to hear. A real friend will be willing to tell you the tough stuff. They will be willing to step out of the comfort zone and give it to you straight. Let’s face it, there is enough watered down, misty eyed, hot air floating around. You don’t need that from a true friend and counsel.

Back to the original point. Being without any counsel is a dangerous place to be. Everyone, regardless of position, needs good counsel. Nobody knows everything. If you never seek good counsel, you are a sitting duck. Attacks and failure can be lurking around any corner.
I’ve heard some say, “I seek counsel in the Lord and that’s all the counsel I need.” Well, I completely agree with that statement. But, I think it is important to know that the Lord often provides that counsel through people that He places in our lives. Remember, in the beginning He said that it is not good for man to be alone. Walking through this life alone with no counsel is a dangerous and lonely thing. And, if you’re going to find someone to talk to about stuff, you might as well look for someone who can truly direct you in a positive way. And if you are a believer in the Lord, ask Him to help you recognize the ones that He has placed in your life for directing you where you need to go.

Let’s be real, anybody can give bad advice. There is more than enough of that going around. Don’t waist your time on it. Take the time to seek out GOOD counsel.
Be blessed.