Slideshow image

Introduction 

There are several themes that you can trace through the book of Proverbs. One of those is the theme of wise counsel. Why are there so many verses that address this theme in one form or another? There is something in our nature that responds to collecting things. Some people collect antique toys or furniture, some collect cars or automobile memorabilia, some collect signs or advertising, while others collect sports memorabilia or autographs of famous people.

God’s Word urges us to build our life around Him and His Word. God wants us to live out His commandments, come to understand the wisdom of those commands, and to develop wise counsel that we can share with others who are seeking to apply God’s Word to the situations they are facing. If we can be an instrument to meet that need, then that is one more way that God can be glorified through our life.

Developing Wise Counsel on Our Life Journey

To discover and accumulate wise counsel, we have to specifically seek wisdom and understanding. Someone once defined wisdom as “seeing life from God’s point of view.” Understanding involves recognizing the relationship between life’s cause and effect sequences. The early chapters of Proverbs have several references to the importance of seeking both wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 4:7 tells us, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (NKJV). As we come to know the Lord more personally, the more we grasp understanding, because Proverbs 9:10 says, “the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (NKJV).

Our main source of wisdom should be God’s Word, the scriptures, and especially His commands. Psalm 19 says, “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (v. 7-8 NKJV). Psalm 19 concludes about God’s commandments, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold … Moreover, by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward” (v. 10-11 NKJV).

Sometimes, Developing Wisdom Comes at a Price

Certainly, reading and studying God’s Word is the starting point to develop the moral wisdom that God desires. But wisdom and understanding are also developed when we endure the rebukes that come from other people and from difficult situations in life. Proverbs 15 tells us “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise … he who heeds rebuke gets understanding” (v. 31-32 NKJV). Proverbs 13:18 adds, “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored” (NKJV).

We also encounter rebuke (or reproof, correction) as we read God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit reveals to us changes that we need to make in our life. The book of 2 Timothy says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (v. 16-17 NKJV). So, God uses both His Word and the rebukes (or reproofs) of life as sources of His wisdom. Proverbs 6:23 affirms this when it says, “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (NKJV).

Those rebukes in life can sometimes be painful because they hurt our pride and humble us, and they chisel away our rough edges. But the lessons that those rebukes teach us, and the wisdom that they develop, will be valuable to us as we encounter other difficult situations. Those rebukes are actually part of God’s design. “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11-12 NKJV).         

Other Sources for Wisdom

As we go about collecting wisdom and understanding, Proverbs 13:20 tells us, “He who walks with wise men will be wise” (NKJV). Not only can we gather wisdom from wise people that we know personally, but we can gather wisdom, that is based on biblical Scripture, from books, videos, interviews, podcasts, etc. Primarily, we are specifically seeking the moral wisdom that comes from God, not just any worldly philosophy or experience that calls itself “wisdom.” The efforts that we make to acquire and collect godly wisdom will be worthwhile. This is because scripture tells us that “A man will be commended according to his wisdom” (Proverbs 12:8 NKJV).   

Our Plans for Life – Established as We Gather Godly Counsel

We all have many plans for life. People usually have plans for their career, for establishing a home, for retirement, and for many other pursuits. Through the scriptures, God urges us to get counsel in order for plans to be established. Proverbs 15:22 states, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (NKJV). Proverbs 11:14 adds, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (NKJV), and Proverbs 20:18 tells us that, “Plans are established by counsel” (NKJV).

Giving Godly Counsel  

Scripture says that “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life” (Proverbs 10:11 NKJV), and that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV). To the extent that we can develop godly counsel, tried and successfully tested by our own lives, we can encourage others as they strive to live for Christ. Giving such encouragement to others allows us to obey the command to “exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13 NKJV). Proverbs 27:9 adds, “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel” (ESV).