MULTITUDES
OF COUNSELORS BRING SAFETY TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Proverbs 11:14 Where no
counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is
safety.
* Christians
need more counsel from God through His Word.
( Hebrews 4:12 ) [12]For the
word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
* The
daily counsel we always need comes directly from the Scriptures. God
consistently speaks to us through His living Word.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 [15]And that
from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee
wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16]All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
[17]That the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works.
( Joshua 1:8 ) This book of
the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day
and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written
therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have
good success.
* Moses'
father-in-law advised him to train more leaders. This shared the heavy load and
ensured the people of Israel received effective counsel.
( Exodus 18:14-27 )
1. SAFETY FROM UNGODLY COUNSEL.
* The
unsaved world lives according to a worldly and wicked lifestyle. Godly counsel
protects us from adopting their patterns.
( Ephesians 2:1-3 ) [1]And you hath
he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2]Wherein in time past ye walked according to the
course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3]Among whom also we all had our conversation in
times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and
of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
( Psalms 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.
2. SAFETY
FROM THE WORLDLY LOVE OF LOST PEOPLE.
* Sadly,
even long-time church members can be negatively influenced by the world if they
lose their spiritual focus.
2 Timothy 4:10-11 [10]For Demas
hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto
Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
[11]Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him
with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
( I John 2:15-17 ) [15]Love not
the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.
[16]For all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father,
but is of the world.
[17]And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
3. SAFETY FROM UNHOLY INFLUENCES IN THE LAST DAYS.
*Paul
detailed the severe moral decay that will characterize the last days. We must
recognize these wicked lifestyles so we can guard ourselves and stay away from
their influence.
( 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ) [1]This know
also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2]For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy,
[3]Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4]Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures
more than lovers of God;
[5]Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away.
4. SAFETY FROM INSINCERE ATTITUDES IN SERVING GOD.
* Even
within the local church, Paul encountered individuals who were genuinely saved
but served the Lord with wrong, insincere motives. Godly counsel helps keep our
motives pure.
( Philippians 1:15-16 ) [15]Some indeed
preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
[16]The one preach Christ of contention, not
sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
5. SAFETY
FROM BEING UNEQUALLY YOKED WITH WORLDLY FRIENDS.
* God
issues a serious command for His people to remain distinct and separate from
the ungodly lifestyle of unbelievers, asking, "What communion hath light
with darkness?"
*2 Corinthians 6:14 2Cor 6:14 Be ye
not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness?
* Paul
said " for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness?
* The
strong and serious commandment of God to Christians to be separate with the
unbelievers worldly and wicked lifestyle.
( 2 Corinthians 6:15-18 ) [15]And what
concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an
infidel?
[16]And what agreement hath the temple of God with
idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell
in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people.
[17]Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you,
[18]And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my
sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
6. SAFETY
FROM AN UNFRUITFUL LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN FOCUS ON FULFILLING THE GREAT
COMMISSION.
* To
remain focused on fulfilling the Great Commission, a Christian must stay
connected to the right source.
* Jesus
Christ is the sole source of our spiritual fruitfulness, warning us, "Without
me ye can do nothing."
* Paul
provides great encouragement by showing what Christ's strength enables us to
accomplish.
( Philippians 4:13 ) I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
( John 15:1-5 ) [1]I am the
true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
[2]Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh
away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring
forth more fruit.
[3]Now ye are clean through the word which I have
spoken unto you.
[4]Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye
abide in me.
[5]I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth
in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can
do nothing.
God bless
you all always!
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