The Need for Godly Counseling in a Misguided World
Ps 1:1: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked”
When I look around, I see people carrying heavy burdens in their hearts. Each of us has battles to fight, yet we are not meant to fight them alone. “For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory” (Prov. 24:6).
Things we deal with such as emotional pain, difficult circumstances, confusion about moral choices, struggles in relationships, battles against flesh, or simply longing to understand God’s will - all present an opportunity for different counselors to influence us. In our digital age, the voices closest at hand often come from Google, AI, social media, or self-proclaimed experts. These sources have no accountability and can easily lead to traps with compromising advice, secular psychology, or counselors who will tell people anything they want to hear.
What we truly need is godly counseling—rooted in the Word of God, seeking the good of our souls, and aligning with His truth. But again, not all counsel is godly counsel. If you have a problem, someone will offer you a solution—sometimes it will guide you toward life, other times deep into the woods.
Ultimately we are all personally responsible for discerning what kind of counsel we receive. There is plenty of wisdom from other springs. I have generally been cautious about the counsel I follow, but I can remember one or two times when I acted on advice that I later regretted. Those moments remind me how important it is to discern carefully. James 3:15 warns of a kind of wisdom that “does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” And Psalm 1:1 reminds us of the blessing in rejecting ungodly counsel.
Even among believers, many today lean heavily on psychology, adding Bible verses almost as decoration. But true godly counsel begins with Scripture as the foundation. It comes from those who listen, pray, and search the Scriptures before they speak—reflecting God’s heart, not just human logic. God has an answer for every burden, question, or trial. When we seek His counsel through godly advisors and approach their guidance with meekness and humility, we may see a miracle!
God has an answer for every burden, question, and trial. Much of our problems could be traced to the root of sin. Openness is key. Healing begins not just in hearing the truth, but in being honest about where we are. When we open up and confess our sins we not just lift a burden from the soul—we invite counsel that will help us to regain solid ground. A closed heart resists restoration, but a transparent heart becomes good soil for transformation.
The Bible illustrates the transformative power of receiving godly counsel with meekness. Luke 5 tells of Simon, exhausted after a night of “trying everything” and catching nothing, obeying Jesus’ instruction despite all doubts. “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything… but because You say so, I will let down the nets.” And the nets overflowed. James 1:21 urges us to “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” That’s what happens when we humbly accept God’s guidance—miracles become possible.
Proverbs 11:14 says there is safety in the multitude of counselors, but Proverbs 20:5 reminds us that wise counsel is like deep water—it takes understanding to draw it out. Not all counselors seek your best. Before acting on advice, I’ve learned to bring it to Jesus, my Wonderful Counselor. His Word remains the lamp to my feet and the light to my path.
As we navigate life’s challenges, let us learn to reject the counsel of the ungodly and embrace the wisdom that flows from God’s Word. In doing so, we may witness miracles, find deliverance, and walk confidently in His will.
Things we deal with such as emotional pain, difficult circumstances, confusion about moral choices, struggles in relationships, battles against flesh, or simply longing to understand God’s will - all present an opportunity for different counselors to influence us. In our digital age, the voices closest at hand often come from Google, AI, social media, or self-proclaimed experts. These sources have no accountability and can easily lead to traps with compromising advice, secular psychology, or counselors who will tell people anything they want to hear.
What we truly need is godly counseling—rooted in the Word of God, seeking the good of our souls, and aligning with His truth. But again, not all counsel is godly counsel. If you have a problem, someone will offer you a solution—sometimes it will guide you toward life, other times deep into the woods.
Ultimately we are all personally responsible for discerning what kind of counsel we receive. There is plenty of wisdom from other springs. I have generally been cautious about the counsel I follow, but I can remember one or two times when I acted on advice that I later regretted. Those moments remind me how important it is to discern carefully. James 3:15 warns of a kind of wisdom that “does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” And Psalm 1:1 reminds us of the blessing in rejecting ungodly counsel.
Even among believers, many today lean heavily on psychology, adding Bible verses almost as decoration. But true godly counsel begins with Scripture as the foundation. It comes from those who listen, pray, and search the Scriptures before they speak—reflecting God’s heart, not just human logic. God has an answer for every burden, question, or trial. When we seek His counsel through godly advisors and approach their guidance with meekness and humility, we may see a miracle!
God has an answer for every burden, question, and trial. Much of our problems could be traced to the root of sin. Openness is key. Healing begins not just in hearing the truth, but in being honest about where we are. When we open up and confess our sins we not just lift a burden from the soul—we invite counsel that will help us to regain solid ground. A closed heart resists restoration, but a transparent heart becomes good soil for transformation.
The Bible illustrates the transformative power of receiving godly counsel with meekness. Luke 5 tells of Simon, exhausted after a night of “trying everything” and catching nothing, obeying Jesus’ instruction despite all doubts. “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything… but because You say so, I will let down the nets.” And the nets overflowed. James 1:21 urges us to “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” That’s what happens when we humbly accept God’s guidance—miracles become possible.
Proverbs 11:14 says there is safety in the multitude of counselors, but Proverbs 20:5 reminds us that wise counsel is like deep water—it takes understanding to draw it out. Not all counselors seek your best. Before acting on advice, I’ve learned to bring it to Jesus, my Wonderful Counselor. His Word remains the lamp to my feet and the light to my path.
As we navigate life’s challenges, let us learn to reject the counsel of the ungodly and embrace the wisdom that flows from God’s Word. In doing so, we may witness miracles, find deliverance, and walk confidently in His will.
Personal Study: Seeking Godly Counsel
This section is designed to guide you in personal meditation, helping you reflect on your need for godly counsel and how to approach it with humility, transparency, and faith.
Take some quiet time or gather with your family or friends to reflect on the following questions. Be honest and prayerful. Let God search your heart and lead you to His truth.
Take some quiet time or gather with your family or friends to reflect on the following questions. Be honest and prayerful. Let God search your heart and lead you to His truth.
Meditation Questions
- Reflecting on Your Burdens
Scripture: Psalm 55:22 – “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”- What heavy burdens or difficult circumstances are you carrying in your heart right now?
- How have you been seeking solutions (e.g., Google, friends, or other sources)? Are these aligned with God’s Word?
- How can you cast these burdens on the Lord through prayer and godly counsel?
- Evaluating Your Counsel
Scripture: Psalm 1:1 – “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”- Do I know anybody I can turn to for advice when facing moral issues, relationship challenges, or questions about God’s will?
- Are these sources rooted in Scripture, or do they lean on worldly wisdom (e.g., psychology, popular opinion)?
- What steps can you take to seek out a godly counselor who prioritizes God’s Word?
- Embracing Transparency
Scripture: James 5:16 – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”- Are you open and transparent about your struggles when seeking counsel, or do you hold back out of fear or shame?
- How might confessing your burdens to a godly counselor (like to a doctor), paired with prayer, help you regain solid spiritual ground?
- What is one area of your life where you need to be more honest with God and a trusted counselor?
- Receiving with Meekness
Scripture: James 1:21 – “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”- Are you willing to humbly receive godly counsel, even if it challenges your current perspective or requires change?
- Was there a time when you followed God’s guidance despite doubts (like Simon in Luke 5:5-6). What was the outcome?
- How can you cultivate a heart of meekness to trust God’s Word through the counsel you receive?
- Discerning Godly Counsel
Scripture: Proverbs 20:5 – “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.”- What qualities we need to look for in a counselor to ensure their advice aligns with God’s truth?
- What fruit does it produce? Does it align with Scripture?
- How can you grow in discernment to recognize godly counsel versus ungodly advice?
- Does the advice lead me closer to holiness and faith, or toward compromise?
- What is one practical step you can take to find a counselor who will listen, pray, and search the Scriptures with you?
Application
- Identify one specific action you need to take that will benefit your soul.
- Commit to praying daily for God’s guidance in this process, trusting that “if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again” (Luke 5:5), and believe that God can work miracles through your obedience.
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