27 Jul HAPPY NEW YEAR! (ARE YOU ADDING ANOTHER YEAR TO YOUR LIFE, OR LIFE TO ANOTHER YEAR?): PART 17
The Bible tells us, from Ephesians 5:15-17:
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
Last week we began learning about…
“Four Fascinating Facets to Find the Will of God”:
1.) Biblical Principles (Col. 3:16)
5 biblical barometers:
- God will not reveal the unknown will of God until you begin to do the known will of God.
- When you don’t know what to do…do what you know to do.
- God’s unknown will, will never contradict His known will.
- God’s direction will never contradict His instruction.
- Ask yourself, “Does God’s Word prohibit or permit what I’m about to do?”
2.) Wise People
Now please allow me to share with you “Six Counsel Concepts”:
1. – When we are messing up, we tend to run to permission instead of correction (John 3:19-21). Here the Bible tells us, “And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”
In 36 years of ministry I have seen this over and over again. When people are doing the wrong thing, they look for someone to support their lunacy!
2. – You can always get the counsel you desire by who you run to for counsel.
This is what the culture calls “confirmation bias.” Remember this: There will always be people on life’s morality ladder. They will be waiting on the lower rung for you to join. Misery loves company!
This week we continue with…
3. – You can always get the counsel you desire by what you choose to share with them.
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:17, “He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him.” That’s why here at Joy church, if at all possible, when doing marriage counseling we seek to have both spouses together. If you listen to her…he is the villain. If you listen to him…she is a villainess. Normally the truth lies somewhere in between.
4. – Wise people seek the counsel that they need…not the counsel that they want.
It’s not always easy to hear the truth. It’s not always easy to tell the truth. I have discovered that if I tell people what they want to hear, I care about me. If I tell people what they need to hear…I care about them.
5. – Counsel provides angles and prevents blind spots (Ps. 119:24).
Here the Bible tells us, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” Notice the plurality of the word “counselors.” That’s why even within the Scriptures the Bible tells us to get more than one Scripture on something (see also II Corinthians 13:1). That doesn’t provide contradiction, but balance!
6. – Solomon, the man who needed counsel the least…received it the most!
Solomon was the second wisest man to ever live besides our Lord. Yet he talked about getting Godly counsel more than anyone else! As we ascertain the will of God, it is imperative we seek Godly counsel!
Next month we’ll continue our series.