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Seeking Counsel from Trusted Friends and Spiritual Leaders

Seeking counsel from trusted friends and spiritual leaders is a recurring theme in biblical literature, emphasizing the value of external wisdom and guidance in navigating life's complexities. This practice is rooted in both Old and New Testament teachings, which encourage individuals to look beyond their own understanding and draw upon the insights of others, particularly those with spiritual maturity or designated leadership roles [1, 2, 4].

The Old Testament frequently highlights the importance of seeking counsel. The book of Tobit explicitly states, "Seek counsel always of a wise man" [1]. This directive underscores a general principle that wisdom is often found in the advice of those who possess it. Similarly, in Exodus, Jethro advises Moses, "Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God" [2]. Here, Jethro, as Moses' father-in-law, offers practical guidance on leadership and delegation, demonstrating that even prominent figures benefit from external advice. The Psalms also acknowledge the divine source of counsel, with David proclaiming, "I wil prayse the Lord, who hath giuen me counsell: my reines also teach me in the nightes" [3]. While this verse points to God as the ultimate source of counsel, it does not negate the role of human intermediaries in conveying or interpreting that divine wisdom.

The concept of counsel extends to various aspects of life, from personal decisions to matters of faith and leadership. Proverbs frequently extols the benefits of heeding advice. John Gill, in his commentary on Proverbs 19:20, interprets "Hear counsel, and receive instruction" as a call to listen to parents, masters, and ministers, and especially to the counsel of Jesus Christ, whom he identifies as the "wonderful Counsellor" [9]. This perspective suggests that counsel is not merely human wisdom but can be a conduit for divine guidance. Gill further notes that such counsel, particularly from Christ and his Gospel, can lead to wisdom in one's "latter end," implying a focus on eternal well-being [9].

The nature of friendship is often intertwined with the giving and receiving of counsel. Matthew Henry, commenting on Proverbs 27:9, emphasizes the importance of faithful and constant friends with whom one can "communicate counsels" [11]. He suggests that a "bosom-friend" is valuable for sharing intimate thoughts and seeking advice [11]. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalms 55:13, discusses the idea of "sweet counsel together" in the context of friendship, noting that "hearty counsel is one branch of friendship, and which greatly sweetens it" [8]. While Gill applies this specifically to civil matters for David, he also draws a parallel to Christ and Judas, suggesting that even a "notional knowledge of the Gospel" can be shared as counsel [8]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Psalms 55:13 further defines "guide" as "friend" and "acquaintance" as an "intimate associate," reinforcing the idea that close relationships are natural contexts for seeking and offering counsel [13].

However, the Bible also contains warnings about misplaced trust. Micah 7:5 cautions, "Trust ye not in a friend," a verse interpreted by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown as reflecting a time when faith was scarce and treachery prevalent, even among close associates [10]. Calvin, cited in the same commentary, identifies the "guide" in this passage as a "counsellor able to help and advise," but the overall context suggests a need for discernment even when seeking advice from those traditionally considered trustworthy [10]. This highlights that while counsel is valuable, its source must be carefully considered.

In the New Testament, the emphasis shifts slightly towards the role of spiritual leaders and the community of believers. Hebrews 13:7 instructs, "Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their conversation, imitate their faith" [4]. This verse encourages believers to observe and learn from the lives and teachings of their spiritual guides, implying that these leaders serve as sources of wisdom and examples of faith. The concept of spiritual gifts, as described in passages like Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, and Ephesians 4:7-16, also relates to the idea of mutual edification and counsel within the Christian community [12]. Tyndale House's commentary on 1 Peter 4:10 notes that believers are entrusted with "spiritual gifts" to be used for God's glory, suggesting that these gifts, which include teaching, exhortation, and wisdom, are meant to benefit others through counsel and service [12].

The ultimate source of counsel is God himself. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that "Access to God" is "of God" and is achieved "by Christ" and "by the Holy Spirit" [6]. This access allows believers to seek divine counsel directly, particularly through prayer [6]. Psalms 139:23, "Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts," exemplifies a direct appeal to God for guidance and self-understanding [5]. While direct access to God is paramount, the Old Testament also describes specific means through which God's counsel was sought, such as the Urim and Thummim, which were placed in the high priest's breastplate and used to consult God on important matters [7]. This practice, though no longer observed, illustrates the historical precedent for seeking divine guidance through designated channels [7].

The New Testament further clarifies that Christ himself is the ultimate "Counsellor." John Gill, in his commentary on Revelation 3:16, describes Christ as "the all wise God, the Ancient of days, and the Father of his people," making him uniquely qualified to give counsel [14]. Gill states that Christ's counsel, given through his Spirit, word, and ministers, directs people to come to him for "grace, life, and salvation; for pardon, peace, and righteousness; for spiritual light and knowledge, and every supply of grace" [14]. This perspective integrates human counsel within the broader framework of divine guidance, positioning Christ as the central figure through whom all true wisdom flows.

Sources

  1. Tobit “Tobit 4:19 (DRC) — Seek counsel always of a wise man.”
  2. Exodus “Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God. -- Exodus 18:19”
  3. Psalms “Psalms 16:7 (Geneva1599) — I wil prayse the Lord, who hath giuen me counsell: my reines also teach me in the nightes.”
  4. Hebrews “Hebrews 13:7 (Darby) — Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word ofGod; and considering the issue of their conversation, imitate their faith.”
  5. Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Urim and Thummin — Placed in the breastplate of the high priest -- Ex 28:30; Le 8:8. God to be consulted by -- Nu 27:21. Instances of consulting God by -- Jdj 1:1; 20:18,28; 1Sa 23:9-11; 30:7,8. Sometimes no answer by, in consequence of the sin of those consulting -- 1Sa 28:6. Were wanting in the second temple -- Ezr 2:63; Ne 7:65. Illustrative of the light and perfection of Christ, the true high priest -- De 33:8; Joh 1:4,9,17; Col 2:3.”
  8. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 55:13: We took sweet counsel together,.... Not in religious matters; for in these the testimonies of the Lord were David's counsellors, Psa 119:24; but in civil things: hearty counsel is one branch of friendship, and which greatly sweetens it, Pro 27:9; as this may be applied to Christ and Judas, it may denote the mutual delight and pleasure they had, the one in communicating, the other in receiving a notional knowledge of the Gospel, and the mysteries of it, which are the counsel of God, Act 20:27; for if hearers may hear the word gladly, as Herod did, and receive it with ”
  9. 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”
  10. Micah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Micah 7:5: Trust ye not in a friend--Faith is kept nowhere: all to a man are treacherous (Jer 9:2-6). When justice is perverted by the great, faith nowhere is safe. So, in gospel times of persecution, "a man's foes are they of his own household" (Mat 10:35-36; Luk 12:53). guide--a counsellor [CALVIN] able to help and advise (compare Psa 118:8-9; Psa 146:3). The head of your family, to whom all the members of the family would naturally repair in emergencies. Similarly the Hebrew is translated in Jos 22:14 and "chief friends" in Pro 16:28 [GROTIUS]. her that liet”
  11. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 27:9: Here is, 1. A charge given to be faithful and constant to our friends, our old friends, to keep up an intimacy with them, and to be ready to do them all the offices that lie in our power. It is good to have a friend, a bosom-friend, whom we can be free with, and with whom we may communicate counsels. It is not necessary that this friend should be a relation, or any way akin to us, though it is happiest when, among those who are so, we find one fit to make a friend of. Peter and Andrew were brethren, so were James and John; yet Solomon frequently distinguishes be”
  12. 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.”
  13. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 55:13: guide--literally, "friend" (Pro 16:28; Pro 17:9). acquaintance--in Hebrew, a yet more intimate associate.”
  14. Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 3:16: I counsel thee,.... Christ is a Counsellor, and is every way fit to be one, for he is the all wise God, the Ancient of days, and the Father of his people, and, as Mediator, the Wisdom of God; and he was concerned in the council of peace from everlasting; and when he was here on earth he gave counsel in person, and now he gives it by his Spirit, and by his word and ministers; and the substance of it is, to come to him for grace, life, and salvation; for pardon, peace, and righteousness; for spiritual light and knowledge, and every supply of grace; and his advice is”
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