Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. Proverbs 19:20
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. Proverbs 20:5
Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel. Proverbs 27:9
God speaks in community. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” I have discovered that “in the midst of them”, He always has something to say. The only time He does not speak is when the one giving and/or receiving His counsel are not prepared.
Given all that the Holy Bible has to say about godly counsel, it is not surprising that one of the more popular models for Marketplace Ministry is the Peer-to-Peer Advisory Group. I have been blessed to be a part of such a group for over three years now. It has been time well invested for the kingdom of God. BTW: If you would like to join such a group, please let me know.
My group only meets once a month, so it is important to make the most of our time together. Each member has a wealth of practical knowledge and experience to bring to the table; and there are times when practical counsel is needed. However, the most impactful counsel is the counsel that comes from the heart of God and the mind of Christ – spoken through men who have prepared themselves to speak for, and hear from, the Father and His Son.
Speaking for God
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 4:10-11
“The oracles of God” means “the utterance of God”. The one who would minister in speech (e.g., giving godly counsel) must do so as the very voice of God. Does that give you pause? It should. Even Jesus did not take the liberty to say what was on own His mind.
For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak. John 12:49-50
How did Jesus get to the place where He only said what the Father was saying? The answer is simple: His heart desired to know the will of His Father. He spent time listening to the Father’s voice. His prayer time was filled with more listening than speaking.
Look and you will find the same desire in your heart. It will transform your prayer life; and empower and encourage you to be His oracle.
Let me encourage you to also consider that hearing from the Father about a situation does not mean that we should speak into it immediately. We should always wait for His release to speak.
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, [and] slow to speak… James 1:19
One of the reasons the Father would have us wait to speak, is to give Him time to prepare the one who is on the hearing side of the counsel. Being prepared to hear is as important has the preparation to speak. Of course, there are things we can do to participate in God’s preparation.
Hearing from God
Humans are imperfect. As careful as we may be in our giving godly counsel, there is the potential for error. Therefore, the one receiving to godly counsel must take responsibility for hearing only what the Father is saying. How is this possible?
Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the teaching, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” John 7:16-17
Notice, “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know…” The heart that hears the word of God is the heart that has surrendered to His will. It is important to note that this is not a matter of hearing and then deciding to do what has been heard. That is not the surrender that God requires. Complete surrender is having the will to do His will before it is heard.
This ability to hear the word of God is one of the greatest advantages a Marketplace Leader can have. John put it this way in his first epistle.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1John 5:14-15
What an advantage it would be to know that the counsel we have been given is the will of God – to be able to pray with confidence. All that is required is a surrendered heart. God has promised to do the rest.
Furthermore, as we learn to listen for, recognize and respond to God’s voice, faith will arise in our hearts for the work He has prepared us to do.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God. Romans 10:17
Rhema is “that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word.” (Thayer’s Lexicon). The word from God will become faith for those that have ears to hear.
Assignment
- Reckon these truths for yourself. Allow the Holy Spirit to use them to renew your mind and prepare you to give and receive godly counsel.
- Share at least one of these truths with someone in your spheres of influence.
- Contact me, at rob@inlightconsulting.com, if I can be of assistance.
Humbly yours and His forever,
