Evaluating Advice from Spiritual Leaders and Counselors
Evaluating Advice from Spiritual Leaders and Counselors
The Bible emphasizes the importance of seeking counsel from wise and godly individuals. Proverbs 19:20 advises, "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end" [2]. This verse highlights the value of seeking guidance from those who have wisdom and experience.
In the biblical context, counsel is not limited to spiritual matters. Proverbs 8:14 states, "I have counsel and wisdom: I am understanding, and I have strength" [3]. This verse suggests that counsel encompasses a broad range of areas, including wisdom, understanding, and strength. The term "counselor" is also used to describe an adviser or a king's state counselor (2 Sam. 15:12) [6].
The Bible warns against seeking counsel from those who are not wise or godly. Isaiah 8:19 cautions against consulting with those who have familiar spirits and with wizards, asking, "Shouldn't a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?" [1]. This passage emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from God rather than relying on human or demonic sources.
In the New Testament, Hebrews 13:7 instructs believers to "Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith" [5]. This verse highlights the importance of following the guidance of spiritual leaders who have demonstrated a strong faith.
The role of spiritual leaders is not limited to providing guidance; they also watch over the souls of their congregation, making them accountable to God (Jas 3:1; 1 Pet 5:1-4) [11]. The author of Hebrews exhorts believers to "obey them and do what they say" (Heb 13:17), emphasizing the importance of submitting to their guidance [11].
Different traditions interpret the role of spiritual leaders and counselors in various ways. For example, John Gill's commentary on Proverbs 19:20 emphasizes the importance of seeking counsel from Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God [7]. In contrast, the Tyndale House commentary on 1 Peter 4:10 highlights the diversity of spiritual gifts and the importance of using them well [8].
The biblical emphasis on seeking counsel from wise and godly individuals is not limited to spiritual leaders. Proverbs 1:5 encourages the wise to listen and gain instruction, and the discerning to acquire wise counsel [4]. This verse suggests that believers should be open to receiving guidance from a variety of sources.
In evaluating advice from spiritual leaders and counselors, believers must consider the source of their guidance. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Isaiah 55:6, seeking the Lord while He is to be found is crucial in obtaining spiritual benefits [9]. This emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from God and His word.
The Psalms also highlight the importance of seeking guidance from God's word. Psalm 119:23-24 states that those who meditate on God's instructions receive wise advice from them [10]. This passage emphasizes the importance of grounding one's guidance in Scripture.
Sources
- Isaiah “When they tell you, “Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter:” shouldn’t a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? -- Isaiah 8:19”
- Proverbs “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end. -- Proverbs 19:20”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 8:14 (Geneva1599) — I haue counsell and wisedome: I am vnderstanding, and I haue strength.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 1:5 (BSB) — let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 13:7 (BSB) — Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Counsellor — An adviser (Prov. 11:14; 15:22), a king's state counsellor (2 Sam. 15:12). Used once of the Messiah (Isa. 9:6). In Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50, the word probably means a member of the Jewish Sanhedrim.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:20: Hear counsel, and receive instruction,.... Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end; in the latter end of life, at death; that then it may appear a man has been so wise as to be concerned for a future state, for the good of his soul in another world; by listening to the counsel and instruction of Christ, in his word; by lookin”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:10: 4:10 his great variety of spiritual gifts: See Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:1-31; Eph 4:7-16. • Use (literally manage) them well: Believers are like managers: They have been entrusted by God, their Master, with gifts to be used to glorify him.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 55:6: The condition and limit in the obtaining of the spiritual benefits (Isa 55:1-3): (1) Seek the Lord. (2) Seek Him while He is to be found (Isa 65:1; Psa 32:6; Mat 25:1-13; Joh 7:34; Joh 8:21; Co2 6:2; Heb 2:3; Heb 3:13, Heb 3:15). call--casting yourselves wholly on His mercy (Rom 10:13). Stronger than "seek"; so "near" is more positive than "while He may be found" (Rom 10:8-9). near--propitious (Psa 34:18; Psa 145:18).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 119:23: 119:23-24 Those who meditate on God’s instructions receive wise advice from them.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 13:17: 13:17 The relationship between the spiritual leaders and the members of the church may have been strained, so the author exhorts the members to obey them and do what they say. • The Greek word translated obey can also mean follow, place confidence in, or be persuaded by. • Christian leaders watch over people’s souls (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Pet 5:1-4), a role that carries grave responsibility, making them accountable to God (Jas 3:1). • The word sorrow could be translated groaning; it speaks of emotional burden and stress. Having leaders who are stressed and burdened b”