Christian Living

Seeking Counsel is a Matter of Life and Death

by Shaila Touchton
05/23/25
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When faced with decisions or challenges, seeking advice from others can be a wise and prudent approach. However, as Christians, it's crucial to consider the source of our counsel. The Bible warns us about the dangers of seeking advice from those who don't share our values, principles, and faith. Let's explore why seeking counsel from ungodly, unbelievers, compromise Christians, namesake Christians, and sinful Christians can be detrimental to our lives.

*The Dangers of Ungodly Counsel*

The Bible advises us to "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:20). When we seek counsel from those who don't know or follow God, we risk being led astray from God's best plans for our lives. Ungodly counsel can lead us down a path of compromise, sin, and spiritual darkness.

*Areas of Life Where Ungodly Counsel Can Be Detrimental*

- Health: Ungodly counsel may lead us to prioritize worldly solutions over spiritual ones, neglecting the role of faith and prayer in our healing process.

- Relationships: Advice from unbelievers or compromise Christians may prioritize worldly gain or pleasure over spiritual compatibility and godly relationships.

- Finances: Ungodly counsel may encourage us to prioritize wealth and material gain over spiritual stewardship and generosity.

*Examples from the Bible*

1. *Rehoboam and the Counsel of Young Men*: King Rehoboam sought counsel from young men who had grown up with him, rather than the older, wiser men who had served his father, Solomon. The young men's advice led to Rehoboam's foolish decisions, which ultimately divided the kingdom (1 Kings 12:1-14).

2. *Jehoshaphat and the Counsel of Ahab*: King Jehoshaphat of Judah sought to make an alliance with King Ahab of Israel, despite Ahab's wickedness. Ahab's counsel led Jehoshaphat into a disastrous battle, where Ahab was killed (1 Kings 22:1-40).

3. *Solomon's Many Wives and Ungodly Counsel*: King Solomon's many foreign wives led him to idolatry, as they brought their pagan gods and ungodly counsel into his life (1 Kings 11:1-8).

4. *Adam and Eve and the Counsel of Satan*: In the Garden of Eden, Satan's counsel led Adam and Eve to disobey God's command not to eat from the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3:1-7). This ungodly counsel resulted in the Fall of humanity.

5. *Samson's Relationship with Delilah*: Samson's relationship with Delilah, a Philistine woman, led to his downfall. Delilah's counsel and manipulation ultimately resulted in Samson's capture and demise (Judges 16:4-21).

*Conclusion*

 As Christians, it's crucial to seek counsel from those who share our faith and values. The Bible warns us about the dangers of seeking advice from those who don't know or follow God. By prioritizing godly counsel and advice, we can make wise decisions that align with God's plans for our lives.