Proverbs 20:18a Every purpose is established by counsel:

When it comes to Spiritual matters I trust in the Lord. He has proven Himself trustworthy. When it comes to earthly matters His Spiritual advice isn’t one to direct me in the way I should go but rather in dealing with my peace. It is the only sign I have in most cases dealing with non-spiritual matters.

Seeking counsel in this day and age can be confusing to say the least. Research on the internet is a common practice for gathering information about any subject. The problem is this, you can find any answer you are looking for if you ask the wrong question.

Who do I trust for sound counsel?

I begin with people I know, who have proven themselves to be trustworthy. If they do not know for sure what to do, they will not lead me in the wrong way and will make suggestions as what to try next. Many counsels may or may not render the best results. Sometimes the minority voice has the right answer.

In this busy life we have the one thing we find lacking is the time to spend with others developing multiple sound counsels. It seems difficult to get two people to meet once a week, much less three or four. In truth those who have demonstrated sound counsel are often sought out by many others.

This brings to the forefront of this devotional this very pointed question, how do we become sound counsel for others? If I said as before I begin with people I know, then making ourselves available is a prime attribute. The second point was trustworthy. All we can do is be sincere. Honesty is the leading edge of trustworthiness. If I don’t know, then I should not fake it, just to have an answer. More than anything else it takes consistency of character. When someone comes to us, we have to put aside our own personal agenda, our problems have to take the back seat.

Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Model your behavior after those who have counseled you well.

2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Consider the word even in this verse. It is in the Greek the word kai. It is a place holder, used to connect the subject of one part to the subject of another part of a sentence. In this case God being the same subject as Father. In the NIV the word is interpreted as and but kai also means, also, indeed and but.

Languages and translations from the originals can be very confusing. This is even more difficult when translating Hebrew and much of the understanding is specific to a people at a specific time in their history. An understanding of who is reading these letters and what their recent history also reveals a better understand since it does not relate to the present day reader.

Consider that the first century Corinthians were a people that were subject to a high degree of polytheism. The Greek word kai would have been used to identify and single out the One true God. Paul was about to address characteristics of God which in a polytheistic view might have been confusing as polytheists attributed singular characteristics to different gods. The word kai made a connection that clarified a localized issue that is not a major concern in today’s context, but in an effort to be accurate in translation revisionists render one of these Greek meanings into syntax that allows for the sentence to be read with as little misunderstanding as possible.

Herein lies the problem, there will always be people like me that ask the question; “Why was the word even included if there is but One God?” I will admit that these types of questions do not come up often but when they do, I’d like to have an answer that doesn’t sound made up or silly. One who asks questions with sincerity deserves a serious answer. If their faith is wavering, that faith needs to be anchored.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.