Who’s Your Counsel?
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)
Who are the people you surround yourself with? Your association is critical to your spiritual and character growth and development. Those whom you’ve chosen to hang around will undoubtedly influence your character. Your selected association can either build you up or tear you down.
The Bible states, in Proverbs 11:14, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” When you spiritually isolate yourself by not engaging The Holy Spirit and Godly, wise counsel, you’re setting yourself up for failure. When you trust in God to send you the right Counsel, those who reflect His heart, He will lead you on the right path. Pray for and seek after Godly counsellors. Your heart’s path is safe in Christ.
Wash, Guard, Protect, Cover, Keep
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Continue to keep your heart and mind diligently focused on the Word of God. The advice, words and counsel you choose to take in, listen to and accept will determine your level of success. When you choose to meditate upon on God’s Word, He will direct and illuminate your path.
Keep your heart tied to His Word. Study it day and night. God puts it this way to Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8).
Choose to focus on the Word throughout the day. Allow Him to speak to you and allow His Word to be engrained into your heart and His fruit will follow. When His Word is in the fabric of your heart, your actions will begin to reflect Him. Choose to reflect upon His Word daily.
Choose Iron Sharpening Relationships
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)
When God sends friends, He sends people who have the ability to strengthen you, build you up and sharpen you with God’s Word. When God creates a brotherly bond, this relationship, will sharpen you, develop and mature you in your weak areas. Sometimes, in fact – many times, a true friend will correct you even when you’re off course. A friend can help mold you into the person and leader that God has called you to be. It’s your choice to either be sharpened by receiving development and correction or stay dull by rejecting wise and godly counsel. Don’t fall by the wayside. Iron sharpens iron. Choose your friends wisely.
Diligent Developing Relationships
“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” (Proverbs 10:4)
“Diligent based relationships” are designed to grow and mature your character. They hold you accountable. They are designed to help you grow and walk out the Word of God. If you have inconsistent growth and development patterns, check your heart first, then check your process. If your heart is pure, and it reflects God’s Word then maybe, your inconsistency in your execution, your implementation process, is the problem. When you diligently execute upon God’s Word in every area of your life, you will reap His results and harvest. Choose diligent-based relationships, those who keep you accountable to growth and development.
You Have What You Say
“A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.” (Proverbs 18:20)
When your heart is full of God’s Word, He will direct your path and your mouth. Your words are linked to your heart. What’s in your heart? Your words spring from what’s in your heart. If your heart is contaminated, then your words will be tainted also. Try this: For every complaint, dissatisfaction find and meditate upon a scripture that counters the complaint. So speak God’s Word every time you feel negativity rising up inside of you. Before you speak negatively, censor your mouth with God’s Word. Allow God to filter your heart and He will direct your path.
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, simply say this prayer:
Lord Jesus, I recognize that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ died and rose from the grave, just for me. I repent of my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ’s Blood washes me and cleanses me from all unrighteousness. In Christ, I am a new creature. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen.
My Prayer For You:
Father God, In The Name of Jesus, I thank you for my brother reading this passage. I pray that you strengthen His hands for Your Mighty Work. I pray that You reveal and unlock Your Purpose that You have designed for him. I pray that his heart is cleansed and restored in You. I pray that You unleash Your Favor, Blessings, Grace and Mercy to overshadow and overtake him all the days of his life. I pray that you revive, strengthen and restore every dead dream and dry place in his life. I pray that you release continuous supernatural breakthroughs in his life. I pray that you bless him in unconventional ways. Bless the work of his hands. Bless the soles of his feet. Bless the ground of his employer. Bless every business endeavor and entrepreneurial venture that he puts his hands to do. Let his path be directed by and prosperous in you. Lead and shape his heart to be full of character and integrity. Let diligence flow through his heart and hands. Father God, most importantly, let him be transformed into a reflection of your Son Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name Amen.
This article was written by Vance Jackson who serves on the leadership team of Word of Life Christian Ministries in Detroit, MI. Vance is a successful businessman, speaker and writer and leads Bible studies on topics ranging from Marriage to Faith, Family, Business, Stewardship, Emotional Healing and Leadership.
