For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. - Proverbs 24:6

It was Benjamin Franklin who once said, “Those who cannot be counseled cannot be helped”. This simply means that, we should be opened to good counsel in order to become victorious over the problems of life. The statement further means that we should be opened to receiving God’s guidance through the wise counsel of others. In today’s scripture, we are being reminded that wise counsel gives power to resist evil and to overcome problems. As a popular saying goes, “A problem shared is either completely or half solved”. But some do not like sharing their problems with others. This is either due to not being sure of the quality of counsel they might receive; or having erroneous belief that they have mastery of their problems. As children of God, we ought to take God into confidence at all times and believe that God would not leave us or forsake us in critical situations. The following keys will be helpful when seeking wise counseling:

1. Seek the face of God regarding the issue at stake, and request that He reveals the way forward to you.
2. Seek wise counsel;
3. Test every spirit to be sure that what you heard is from God and therefore good suggestions.
4. Note that not everyone who holds out himself as offering counseling has a wise counsel to give. Some are actually out to destroy. The scripture say, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:16) .This means that you should consider the opinion of counselors side by side with their character and attitude to life. It follows therefore that, those without reputation, and badly behaved persons are very likely not to give good and wise counsel. Commit your challenges into the hands of God; He will surely direct you on the path of wise counseling.