“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who despise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;” Isaiah 30:1
Thousands of books and millions of websites are available to give advice and counsel on how to deal with nearly anything and everything. People are also ready and willing to give their counsel in person for many things. The world devours these books and websites seeking guidance on how to live their lives and deal with difficulties that they have to face from day to day.
Isaiah quotes God at saying woe to the rebellious children who are seeking counsel and devising plans without involving Him, so that they may continue to sin even more and more.
The world does not know God, nor seeks to know God. They want to be a god in and of themselves, controlling everything. Many believe that mankind has the ability to do anything and everything, if given the chance to learn to do it.
Throughout the church there have also come many who have chosen to seek the advice of the world. They run to the books and websites seeking counsel, rather than turning to God and His word. Often, this is done to justify their sinful behaviors, to find others who will agree to their sin as good and acceptable. Living in this way is only bringing on the greater wrath of God in the day of the return of Jesus.
Instead of seeking the counsel of the world, believers need to seek God’s infinite and perfect wisdom. This can be found in His reading and studying His word and in being led by His Holy Spirit. God and His word will never lead a person into sin, but into holiness and righteousness that will come with an eternal reward.
You may have times in which you need to seek counsel in dealing with some situation in your life. Before you turn to the things and ways of this world, seek God first. Take time to read and study what He says in His word, the Bible. Then ask God to guide you by His Holy Spirit in the right way to go. Be the new creation Christ has created you to be and turn from all sinful ways of living, so that you may walk in His holiness and righteousness.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will seek God’s counsel first; that you will devise all your plans as led by the Holy Spirit; and that God will give you strength to flee all sinful ways of this world.
Picture by Mark Williams on Unsplash
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