Godly Counsel: Who Is Directing Your Life?

Godly counsel is essential because the people we listen to often determine the direction we take and, ultimately, the outcomes we experience. Not every voice deserves influence and not everyone is qualified to give directions for a life they themselves are unwilling to submit to God.

Godly Counsel Matters Because Wrong Voices Can Deceive Us

Paul was astonished that the believers in Galatia had allowed themselves to be influenced by people who had distorted the truth they had already received.

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…?” — Galatians 3:1 (KJV)

The apostle’s question is just as relevant today:

Who are you listening to?

The Galatians knew the truth about Christ, yet they allowed the wrong voices to influence them. They had exchanged truth for deception because they listened to people who were leading them away from obedience.

Godly Counsel Helps Us Recognise Deception

Not everyone who speaks into our lives is speaking God’s wisdom.

Just because someone is persuasive, sincere, or persistent does not mean they are right. The enemy often uses wrong influences to distract us from God’s will.

That is why believers must test every voice against Scripture.

I have encountered “loud” individuals who want to be heard in my life but I have had to learn to stand on godly counsel because if you don’t stand on something for something, you will quickly topple over.

Godly Counsel Determines the Direction of Your Life

Someone I know was visiting a foreign country when a stranger stopped and asked for directions. Not really knowing where they were, they jokingly made up some directions. The person thanked them and went on their way.

We may laugh about it now, but imagine trusting someone to guide you when they themselves had no idea where the destination was. Yet that is exactly what happens when we seek advice from people who lack wisdom or do not know God.

Many people today receive counsel about marriage, parenting, finances, careers and spiritual matters from voices that are not rooted in God’s truth.

Why would we allow people who are lost to direct us?

King Rehoboam learned this lesson the hard way. When he became king, he rejected the counsel of the older men who had served his father Solomon and instead listened to the advice of his young friends. Their counsel led to pride, harshness and ultimately the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12:1-19).

The people we listen to often determine the direction we take. That is why Scripture says:

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety.” — Proverbs 11:14

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” — Proverbs 13:20

Direction matters. A wrong turn can take us far from where God intends us to be.

Before accepting someone’s advice, we should ask:

• Are they walking with God?
• Do their lives reflect biblical wisdom?
• Are they pointing me toward Christ or toward themselves?
• Is their counsel based on God’s Word or on popular opinion?

Because the people who direct your steps often determine your destination.

 

Related: Why Relying on the Unfaithful in Times of Trouble Leads to Pain

 

Godly Counsel Protects Us From the Pressure of Others

In 2002, I learned this lesson in a way I will never forget.

I had been invited to go to the dam, but I had already said no. Deep inside, I sensed that I should not go. However, my friend and I were nagged until we finally changed our answer.

Our”no” became a “yes.”

That day, we were involved in a car accident.

Looking back, I believe we ignored the prompting of the Holy Spirit and allowed another person’s desires to become louder than God’s warning.

Not every act of disobedience leads to an accident, but every time we allow human pressure to override God’s leading, we place ourselves in dangerous territory.

Godly Counsel Respects a Godly “No”

Jesus said:

“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay…” — Matthew 5:37 (KJV)

People who respect God will also respect your convictions.

Those who continually pressure you to compromise reveal more about themselves than they do about you.

Godly Counsel Brings Blessing and Stability

King Joash provides a powerful example of the importance of surrounding ourselves with godly advisers.

His grandmother Athaliah murdered the royal heirs because she wanted the throne for herself. Yet God preserved young Joash, who was hidden away for the first seven years of his life.

When he was seven years old, his uncle, Jehoiada the priest, helped restore him to the throne.

Scripture tells us:

“And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” — 2 Chronicles 24:2 (KJV)

As long as Jehoiada was alive and advising him, Joash prospered.

Godly Counsel Should Come From People Who Obey God

After Jehoiada died, Joash listened to the leaders of Judah instead.

Their advice led him away from God, and the king who had begun so well finished tragically.

Joash’s downfall began when he exchanged godly counsel for worldly counsel.

The lesson is clear.

The people who advise us should be people who themselves are following the Lord.

Godly Counsel Helps Us Choose God’s Voice Above Human Pressure

Psalm 1 begins with these words:

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…” — Psalm 1:1 (KJV)

Not every opinion deserves equal weight.

Not every voice deserves influence.

Not every adviser deserves access to your decisions.

Before accepting advice, ask yourself:

Is This Godly Counsel?

• Is this person submitted to God?
• Do they obey God’s Word?
• Is their life producing godly fruit?
• Are they drawing me closer to Christ or further away from Him?

Sometimes the most important question is not:

“What should I do?”

But rather:

“Who is directing my life?”

Because the quality of the counsel you follow will often determine the quality of the life you live.

 

Further reading:

5 Traits of Godly Counsellors