Calvary greetings dear friends and readers!
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” — Proverbs 11:14
God Still Speaks, And He Often Uses People
Many believers are waiting for a burning bush or a loud voice from heaven. But God is a Father, and fathers often speak through people He places around us. From Scripture and experience, I’m convinced God speaks to everyone in various ways. Yet one of the most common and easiest ways He speaks is: wise counsel.
Next week Monday or Wednesday, I will write on how God also speaks to us through dreams. But today, let’s focus on the voice of God that comes through godly, wise people.
The Day a Neighbor Became God’s Mouthpiece
Let me tell you a story that proves God uses wise counsel to speak.
Sometime ago I was talking with someone and another person’s name came up. I explained that this particular neighbor had been antagonizing and provoking me for no reason, simply because we lived in the same area. The person I was talking with looked at me and gave me very important reasons why I needed to ignore that provocateur completely, no matter the level of provocation.
The very next day, that same troublesome neighbor started insulting me without cause. Every part of me wanted to react. I was mad and agitated. But I quickly remembered the counsel I received the day before. I didn’t utter a word.
One of my daughters saw everything. She was shocked at my silence. When her mom came home, she narrated the whole scene and asked why I kept my composure. I told her, “We should be thanking God for using that neighbor to speak to me yesterday. If not for that conversation, this would have escalated. I have had enough of that person’s unprovoked antagonizing.”
Now imagine if I had discussed this with a foolish person instead. She/He would have told me to curse back, to threaten, to “show her I’m not a coward.” That advice would have landed me at a police station or in court. That was exactly the outcome my provocateur wanted. Proverbs 13:20 is right: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
God spoke to me through a wise neighbor, 24 hours before I needed the word. That is how He works.
Socio-Psychological Proof: Your Circle Shapes Your Choices
Sociology and psychology confirm what Scripture already said: the people we associate with program our responses.
– Social Learning Theory: Psychologist Albert Bandura’s research shows that people learn behavior by observing others, especially those they trust. Your counselors model reactions you will later repeat under stress.
– Peer Influence Data: A study published in Psychological Science found that adolescents were 70% more likely to engage in risky behavior when with peers who encouraged it, versus when alone. The effect doesn’t disappear in adulthood.
– Emotional Contagion: Research from Harvard and UC San Diego tracked 12,000 people over 20 years and found that if a friend becomes happy, your chance of happiness increases by 15%. The same is true for anger, bitterness, and foolishness. You catch what you hang around.
Bottom line: foolish counsel multiplies foolish reactions. Wise counsel produces self-control. Your circle is not neutral. It is either fertilizing your destiny or poisoning it.
Biblical Reasons God Speaks Through Wise and Godly People
God deliberately puts His wisdom in people for your safety.
1. God distributes wisdom for community protection: Proverbs 24:6 says, “For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” God knew you would face battles you cannot win alone. So He stored the strategy in someone else’s mouth.
2. The Holy Spirit works through the Body: 1 Corinthians 12:8 calls it “the word of wisdom” and “the word of knowledge.” These gifts are not for personal show. They are for body life. When a godly person warns you, it may be the Holy Spirit using their voice.
3. God uses unlikely vessels: He used Balaam’s donkey in Numbers 22, a pagan king Cyrus in Isaiah 45, and a Roman centurion in Matthew 8. If He can use them, He can use your wise neighbor. Acts 9:10-17 shows God sending Ananias to speak to Saul. Without that counsel, Paul’s ministry may have started in confusion.
Why This Article Matters To You Reading This Now
Because tomorrow, someone will provoke you. Next week, a decision will come that your emotions cannot handle. Will you have a wise counselor or a foolish cheerleader? Will you recognize God’s voice when it comes through a friend, a spouse, a pastor, or even a neighbor?
I believe one reason many national, regional, and district leaders in government make foolish decisions with serious ramifications is because they surround themselves with sycophants and praise singers. The leaders in the world who avoid disaster are often those who keep wise advisors close. 1 Kings 12 shows this clearly: Rehoboam rejected the counsel of elders and listened to his foolish friends, and he lost the kingdom.
Many lives are in police stations, divorce courts, and hospitals because they took counsel from fools. Many destinies are preserved because someone said, “Be quiet. Walk away. Pray first.”
You need to audit your circle today. Psalm 1:1 starts with, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked.” Your blessing is connected to whose counsel you walk in.
A Wise Quote To Remember
“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” — backed by Proverbs 13:20.
A Prayer For You Today
Father, thank You for speaking to me through wise people. Open my ears to hear You in ordinary conversations. Send godly counselors into my life and remove every foolish voice. Holy Spirit, remind me of wise words in the moment of provocation. Make me a wise counselor to others too. Let my associations bring me safety and not harm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By PASTOR CHRISTIAN MAWUKO
Have a blessed Wednesday!
Email me: cmpastorchris@gmail.com
WhatsApp/Text: 233.244225870
hashtagGodSpeaks hashtagWiseCounsel hashtagProverbs11v14 hashtagChooseYourCircle hashtagWalkWithTheWise hashtagHolySpiritGuidance hashtagFaithAndWisdom hashtagPastorChristianMawuko hashtagDivineDirection hashtagSafetyInCounselors hashtagGodlyFriends hashtagLeadershipWisdom
