GOFAMINT DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THE WISE LISTENS TO COUNSEL
Thursday 23/6/2022
Suggested Hymn: GHB 61
Devotional Reading: Proverbs 19:20-29
Topic For Adults: Safety In Godly Counsel
Topic For Youths: Walk In The Counsel Of The Wise
Topic For Intermediates: Seek Godly Counsel
Lesson Scriptures: Job 2:9-10; 2 Sam.13:1-16; Num. 31:16;
Prov. 12:5; 19:20-21; 15:22, 31-33; 24:6
MEMORY VERSE
“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding
shall attain unto wise counsels” (Proverbs 1:5) NKJV.
Progress And Safety In Godly Counsel
ExoDUS 18:11-23
Moses was a hardworking man but he did not apply wisdom and so, he did not work smart. He had to do it all. He led the people of Israel out of Egypt, acted as intermediary between God and the people, led the people in battle, led them in worship, and settled all their disputes and quarrels. This was an enormous, time and energy consuming task. Jethro analysed the situation, suggested a solution. He frankly advised his son in law to intelligently share the burdens and responsibilities of leadership with other responsible people. This according to him will reduce the stress and pressure on Moses and the people, and there will be peace, harmony and progress in the camp. What a great relief for Moses and the Israelites. Thank God for good and godly advice, and kudos to Moses for heeding to the advice
Point of Emphasis: Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed (Prov.15:22 NIV).
Prayer Point: O God, surround me with godly advisers that will make the journey easier for me.
Reading The Bible Through in a Year: Morning: 1 Jn. 2: 15-29; Evening: Isa.55-57.
ALSO READ: DEEPER LIFE DAILY MANNA FOR TODAY
BACKGROUND
Godly counsel is one very important and one of the factors that enhance success in life. The Bible confirms this by saying; “without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established” (Prov. 15:22 NKJV). The source of the counsel determines the quality of the counsel, it also determines whether it is godly or ungodly because it is certain that there is no godly counsel that can come outside God’s word. Godly counsel is not always easily received or quickly affirmed. It is always opposed by most people and it can make someone become lone voice.
NOTES ON THE LESSON
PART 1: THE PERILS OF UNGODLY COUNSEL - JOB 2:9-10; 2 SAM. 13:1-16; PROV. 12:5; NUM. 31:16
To counsel simply means to give advice or deliberate opinion to another for the guidance of his conducts. This advice, opinion or instruction may be given upon request or otherwise for directing the conduct of another. At times, it comes in form of rebuke, correction or criticism, however, it must be noted that only the wise takes counsel seriously.
Job’s condition was pitiable. He lost his wealth, health and offsprings within a day. The wife added to the trauma and pains when she taunted him. She was astonished at Job’s continued integrity and steadfast faith. She wrongly advised Job to curse God and die! (Job 2:9). This was a display of her lack of spiritual insight. She allowed Satan to use her as instrument to derail her husband’s integrity and loyalty to God. Probably, out of sympathy considering the pains and trauma her husband was going through. It may also be as a result of human despair arising from her own traumatic losses. Whatever the cause, it was a bad and ungodly counsel. It would have been better for her to keep her mouth shut.
Jonadab’s counsel to Amnon the eldest son of King David about his half-sister Tamar was another deadly counsel. Following this ungodly advice, Amnon raped his sister and committed incest. Rape is a vicious crime, when you add incest to rape the despicableness is multiplied. Because of this, Amnon’s life was terminated by Absalom in vengeance of his crime.
It was the counsel of Balaam that made the Moabites and Midianites to seduce the Israelites into apostasy. They committed harlotry with the women of Moab and also worshipped their Idols (Num.25:1-13). These brought God’s indignation against them, “and those who died in the plague were twenty four thousand” (Num. 25:9).
PART 2: THE PROFITS OF GODLY COUNSEL - PROV. 24:6; 19:20-21; 15:22;11
Taking counsel from godly people is very profitable. “Listen to counsel and receive instruction that you may be wise in your later years” (Prov. 19:20). It was a wise counsel from godly Joseph that saved king Pharaoh, all Egyptians and the then entire world from famine. The secret of this counsel was the spirit of the living God in Joseph’s life. (Gen. 41:37-40). The Shunamite woman also gave an intelligent counsel to her husband concerning Prophet Elisha. This great counsel alleviated the suffering of the man of God and the couple’s problem of bareness was supernaturally solved. (2 Kgs. 4:8-10).
Daniel’s counsel to King Nebuchadnezzar was a wise and godly counsel. His advice made him break away from sinful life and escape God’s judgment. in a multitude of counsellors (Prov. 24:6 NKJV).
PART 3: DEALING WITH CRITICS AND CRITICISM - PROV. 15:31-33
Criticism is the act of expressing disapproval and of noting the problems or fault of a person or thing. It is the act of criticising someone or something. Criticism is part of life; no matter how careful you are, you will be criticised because criticism is not just a part of leadership position, it is the price of leadership. As a leader the way you handle criticism will either make you better or bitter.
While constructive criticism is designed to make you better and wiser, destructive criticism may demoralise you. Christians should not be too critical, however, we should form the habit of advising. To do this effectively, we need to pray for God’s wisdom. We also need to develop courage to speak the truth in love. If people criticise you, don’t be offended. The following advice will help you.
• Admit you are wrong, and if you are,
• Accept constructive criticism and make it part of your culture for the improvement of your leadership skill.
• Anticipate some specific criticism and assume they are logical enough to help you.
• Learn to scrutinise criticisms and know the ones to accept or reject.
• Don’t turn any criticism to personal contest and don’t take revenge.
CONCLUSION
You cannot succeed alone as a child of God. You need people to help you on this journey and some people also need you. This help may come in terms of counsel or criticism. You cannot avoid any of these and you cannot afford to throw them away. Nevertheless, you need to be very careful about the sources of your counsel and should handle your criticism maturely.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the godly counsel?
2. How would you differentiate between godly and ungodly counsel?
3. What are the benefits of godly counsel? Cite examples to buttress your points.
4. What are the dangers of ungodly counsel? Cite examples.
5. Is criticism right or wrong? How can a Christian benefit from criticism?
DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY
©2022 THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL DEVOTIONAL IS BY PASTOR (DR) E.O ABINA, THE GENERAL OVERSEER OF GOFAMINT Worldwide. |
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