“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him… the Spirit of counsel…”
— Isaiah 11:2c, John 16:13, Romans 8:14, Proverbs 3:5–6
Sailing without a compass feels uncertain, disoriented, and risky. There's no clear direction, no way to tell where we’re going or how close we are to danger. Every decision feels like a guess. The waves may carry us anywhere.
That’s what it’s like when we try to live without the Spirit of Counsel. The word counsel means advice, guidance, or purpose given by someone wise and trustworthy. In the Bible, it often refers to God’s divine guidance—His perfect insight into what we should do, where we should go, and how we should respond. He helps us make decisions that align with God's heart, guiding us through both ordinary moments and major turning points with peace, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” We see this truth in the story of Lot. When Abraham let him choose where to live, Lot chose the land that looked best—fertile, green, and logical (Genesis 13:10). But that land included Sodom and Gomorrah, which were later destroyed for their great sin. What looked good to Lot turned out to be dangerous. It’s a reminder that without God’s counsel, even our best decisions can lead us in the wrong direction. That’s why we need the Spirit of Counsel—to guide us beyond what we see and lead us into the will of the Father
God never meant for us to figure life out on our own. Romans 8:14 says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Through Christ, we’ve become sons and daughters of God, and as His children, we are not left to guess our way through life. The same Spirit who guided Jesus now lives in us. We are loved, led, and guided every step of the way by the Spirit of Counsel, who knows exactly where we need to go and how to get there.
Father, thank You for giving us the Spirit of Counsel. In moments of confusion, remind us that we are never alone. Teach us to trust Your leading, even when the path doesn’t make sense. Direct our steps, and give us the courage to follow. Amen.
