What are the criteria for effective counsel?

1 Samuel 3:19As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.

Psalm 37:30-31The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path.

Proverbs 10:20The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.

Proverbs 12:5-6The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous. The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.

Proverbs 27:9The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

Isaiah 50:4The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.

1 Corinthians 12:8To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.

To obtain good counsel, you want to find godly counselors—this can refer to licensed people, or it can refer to godly friends who will be honest with you. In either case, these people should each have a personal relationship with the Lord. They should use God’s Word as a basis for their counsel. The Lord can speak wisdom to you through them.

Acts 6:2-7So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. So God’s message continued to spread.

The early church was not immune from problems. In fact, it wasn’t long before disagreements rose up and folks were complaining. The church leaders got together, and the Twelve offered good counsel to solve the dilemma. The process included acknowledging the problem, listening to the facts, and providing a solution.

Numbers 13:30Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

Godly counsel should encourage people to act in accordance with God’s Word—it should never make excuses for sin. Caleb knew that God had given the people the Promised Land, so his counsel was to be brave and begin the task of conquering it. Unfortunately, his counsel was ignored, and the people paid a forty-year price for their lack of faith.

Proverbs 6:20-23My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.

Godly counsel should be applicable and practical.

Proverbs 15:23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

Proverbs 25:11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

Godly counsel is timely.