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Counsel
Receiving counsel
Why should we seek out Bible-based counsel?
Why is it better to listen to counsel than to justify oneself?
See also Pr 1:23-31; 15:31
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Sa 15:3, 9-23—When the prophet Samuel corrects Saul, the king justifies himself and rejects the counsel; thus, he is rejected by Jehovah
2Ch 25:14-16, 27—King Amaziah sins and then rejects corrective counsel from Jehovah’s prophet, losing Jehovah’s favor and protection
Why show respect for overseers who offer counsel?
1Th 5:12; 1Ti 5:17; Heb 13:7, 17
Relevant Bible account(s):
3Jo 9, 10—The aged apostle John condemns Diotrephes for the disrespectful way he treats those taking the lead in the Christian congregation
Why listen to older ones?
See also Job 12:12; 32:7; Tit 2:3-5
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Sa 23:16-18—King David listens to counsel from Jonathan, who is some 30 years his senior, and is strengthened by it
1Ki 12:1-17—King Rehoboam rejects the balanced counsel of older men and listens instead to the harsh counsel of younger men, leading to disaster
What shows that faithful women and younger servants of Jehovah can offer valuable counsel?
Job 32:6, 9, 10; Pr 31:1, 10, 26; Ec 4:13
See also Ps 119:100
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Sa 25:14-35—Abigail offers King David advice that saves many lives and protects him from bloodguilt
2Sa 20:15-22—A wise woman in the city of Abel saves the entire city by her counsel
2Ki 5:1-14—A little Israelite girl offers a suggestion that lets a mighty warrior know how he can be cured of leprosy
Why be cautious about listening to the counsel of those who do not respect Jehovah or his Word?
See also Lu 6:39
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Ch 10:13, 14—King Saul consults a spirit medium instead of inquiring of Jehovah and dies because of unfaithfulness
2Ch 22:2-5, 9—King Ahaziah chooses the wrong advisers, which leads to his death
Job 21:7, 14-16—Job rejects the thinking of those who do not respect Jehovah
Giving counsel
Why is it best to listen, get all the facts, and hear both sides before offering counsel?
See also Pr 25:8
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Sa 1:9-16—High Priest Eli gives Hannah harsh counsel before he gathers the facts, assuming that this faithful woman is drunk
Mt 16:21-23—The apostle Peter rebukes Jesus, unwittingly offering counsel that would serve Satan’s interests, not Jehovah’s
Why pray to Jehovah for guidance before giving counsel?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ex 3:13-18—The prophet Moses asks Jehovah about the best way to respond to questions that fellow Israelites might raise
1Ki 3:5-12—Young King Solomon asks Jehovah for wisdom instead of trusting in himself, which results in his receiving Jehovah’s blessing
Why should we base our counsel and answers solidly on God’s Word?
Ps 119:24, 105; Pr 19:21; 2Ti 3:16, 17
See also De 17:18-20
Relevant Bible account(s):
Mt 4:1-11—Jesus bases his answers to Satan’s temptations, not on his own wisdom, but on God’s Word
Joh 12:49, 50—Jesus explains that he bases all his teachings on what his Father has taught him, setting a good example for us
Why should we endeavor to be mild when giving counsel and even offer sincere commendation along with counsel when possible?
See also Isa 9:6; 42:1-3; Mt 11:28, 29
Relevant Bible account(s):
2Ch 19:2, 3—Through a spokesman, Jehovah corrects King Jehoshaphat but then commends him for the good that he has done
Re 2:1-4, 8, 9, 12-14, 18-20—Jesus commends several congregations before offering them counsel
If a Christian complains to us about a fellow Christian who he feels has wronged him, such as by fraud or with slander, why is it best to encourage him to talk the matter over privately with the one who has wronged him?
See also Le 19:17
How can we encourage a Christian who feels wronged to be merciful, patient, forgiving?
Mt 18:21, 22; Mr 11:25; Lu 6:36; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13
See also Mt 6:14; 1Co 6:1-8; 1Pe 3:8, 9
Relevant Bible account(s):
Mt 18:23-35—Jesus gives a powerful illustration to explain why it is so important for us to be forgiving
Why do we need to be firm for what is right when giving counsel?
Ps 141:5; Pr 17:10; 2Co 7:8-11
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Sa 15:23-29—The prophet Samuel refuses to be intimidated by King Saul
1Ki 22:19-28—The prophet Micaiah refuses to change his warning message to King Ahab, despite threats and violent mistreatment
How can we counsel someone without causing spiritual harm?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Lu 22:31-34—Jesus expresses confidence that the apostle Peter, despite serious mistakes, will be able to strengthen others
Phm 21—The apostle Paul expresses confidence that Philemon will comply with godly counsel
