(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.
f. Don't accept the advice given as final in reaching your decision. Check it against other factors.
g. Don't allow your counselor to make the decision for you. It is for you to decide, for it is for you who will, for good or ill, have to live with the results.
C. WHAT PART DO CIRCUMSTANCES PLAY pg 88
1. Is it right to assume that favorable circumstances constitute the will of God for us?
2. No circumstance comes to pass by chance, although its significance may not be apparent at the time. Later it may be seen as a vital factor in the unfolding of a life plan. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” pg 89
3. The Time Factor --- He controls the time factor. pg 89
Ex: Philip Acts 8:26 “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.”
4. When circumstances are in keeping with the tenor or Scripture, and coincide with the informed judgment of the believer and the inner conviction of the Holy Spirit, then they serve as a confirmation of the choice made. Circumstances should play only a minor part. Coincidence never negates God's command. Circumstances alone should never be taken uncritically as the will of God.
D. WHERE DO OUR DESIRES FIT IN?
1. One of the perplexing problems faced by one who sincerely desires to know and do the will of God is to determine the part that his or her personal desires should play in the decision-making process. pg 90
2. The problem is further compounded for some by the unjustified fear that if we desire a thing strongly it most probably is not God’s will. pg 90
3. If our ambition is--as it should be--to please the Lord, our desires may well be an indication of His will. pg 91
4. If we are deeply involved emotionally in the alternatives we are considering, it is not at all difficult to project our subconscious desires as the voice of God.
How are we to distinguish between the two?
a. Discard the myth that if you desire something, God most likely does not.
b. Believe God’s promise that He will give light to those who are willing and who strive to do His will, not matter what it is.
c. Ensure that the course you desire to pursue is legitimate Biblically and is
according to the tenor of Scriptures.
d. Consider whether or not your desire runs counter to your primary and
obvious duty.
e. Determine whether or not competent counselors support your plan.
f. In making your decision, ask in faith for the wisdom promised in James 1:5.
If our desire passes these tests, then you have good grounds for believing it to be the will of God for you. pg 92
E. EVALUATION OF GIFTS AND ABILITIES pg 92
1. Natural Gifts ---Observation would indicate that God generally guides along the lines of the natural gifts and abilities with which He has endowed us.
2. Spiritual Gifts --- Is not a natural ability but a special operation of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian, whereby He employs his or her personality for a spiritual purpose. It is more than a natural gift and frequently transcends one's natural abilities. No believer is without some spiritual gift. I Cor. 12:7 -11
a. Often gifts lay latent and are never exercised.
b. Some hold the view that these gifts are temporary and later to be withdrawn. Scripture nowhere makes this point; it is at best an inference. pg 93
c. The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the church.
d. The test of any such gift is: Is it resulting in the upbuilding, enrichment, and unity of the church?
3. Some venture to engage in major activities for which they have displayed no aptitude, with the erroneous assumption that this is walking by faith. It is more likely to be presumption. If God were leading a person to do such a thing, He could be expected to make His will known by giving more than ordinary guidance and very deep inner conviction. pg 93
4. God does at times take someone and use him or her in areas that would otherwise
be closed to that person. pg 93 Such cases are exceptional, and it is unusual for God to use someone significantly in an are in which he or she has shown no competence. pg 94
SUMMARY
Listen to advice.
The advice of a competent counselor is invaluable.
It is not for the counselor to make the decision.
Providential circumstances are also factors of guidance. They should be checked.
God keeps the time factor.
God usually leads along the lines of natural abilities.
