Many people seek counseling for emotional or spiritual support, but what does the Bible say about it? Scripture encourages believers to seek wise counsel and offers guidance on finding support from trusted, godly individuals. Let’s explore what the Bible says about seeking help and counsel.
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What Does The Bible Say About Seeking Counseling
Proverbs 15:22
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking counsel and advice when making plans or decisions. It acknowledges that seeking the wisdom and guidance of others can lead to success and better outcomes.
Proverbs 11:14
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety.”
This verse highlights the significance of having multiple counselors and seeking guidance from wise individuals. It suggests that seeking counsel from others can provide safety and prevent us from stumbling or making wrong choices.
Proverbs 19:20
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”
This verse encourages us to be open to receiving advice and instructions from others. It emphasizes that through listening and accepting counsel, we can acquire wisdom that will benefit us in the future.
Proverbs 20:18
“Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.”
This verse suggests that seeking counsel and wise guidance is essential even in times of conflict or warfare. It implies that through seeking advice, we can make better plans and strategies to overcome challenges.
Proverbs 24:6
“for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”
This verse reaffirms the notion that seeking the counsel of wise individuals can lead to victory and success. It emphasizes the importance of seeking multiple counselors to gain different perspectives and insights.
Proverbs 12:15
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
This verse contrasts the attitude of a fool, who relies solely on their own understanding, with that of a wise person, who listens to advice. It underscores the importance of humility and being receptive to the wisdom of others.
Proverbs 24:6
“for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”
This verse reaffirms the notion that seeking the counsel of wise individuals can lead to victory and success. It emphasizes the importance of seeking multiple counselors to gain different perspectives and insights.
Proverbs 1:5
“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.”
This verse encourages those who are wise to continue learning and obtaining guidance. It suggests that seeking continual counsel and guidance is necessary for growth and understanding.
Proverbs 13:10
“By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.”
This verse warns against the negative consequences of arrogance and insolence. It promotes the value of seeking advice and counsel, as it leads to wisdom and avoids unnecessary conflict.
Proverbs 15:31
“The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of listening and being receptive to constructive criticism or reproof. It suggests that by attentively considering such feedback, we can grow in wisdom and surround ourselves with wise individuals.
Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”
This verse acknowledges that we may have many plans, but ultimately, it is God’s purpose that will prevail. It implies that seeking counsel is vital in aligning our plans with God’s will and ensuring that we are on the right path.
Ecclesiastes 4:13
“Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.”
This verse contrasts the value of wisdom and the ability to take advice with the folly of pride and arrogance. It highlights the importance of remaining teachable and receptive to counsel throughout our lives.
Proverbs 16:22
“Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.”
This verse extols the benefits of possessing good sense or wisdom, which brings life and abundance. It suggests that seeking counsel from wise individuals leads to wise instruction, in contrast to the folly of those who lack understanding.
Proverbs 19:27
“Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.”
Here, the verse emphasizes the danger of refusing to hear or receive instruction. It warns against the consequences of disregarding counsel, as it can lead to straying from the path of knowledge and wisdom.
Proverbs 15:22
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
This verse underscores the importance of seeking counsel when making plans. It suggests that seeking advice from others can contribute to the success and effectiveness of our plans.
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
This verse encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who generously grants it to those who ask. It reminds us that God is the ultimate source of wisdom, and we can seek His counsel through prayer.
Proverbs 24:5
“The wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.”
This verse contrasts the wise person’s cautiousness and avoidance of evil with the reckless and careless behavior of a fool. It reminds us that seeking guidance and counsel can help us make wiser and more cautious decisions.
Proverbs 8:33
“Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.”
This verse urges us to listen to instruction and seek wisdom. It emphasizes the importance of actively pursuing knowledge and not disregarding the counsel and guidance offered to us.
Proverbs 28:26
“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”
This verse warns against trusting in our own understanding and highlights the folly of relying solely on our own thoughts. It encourages us to walk in wisdom and seek counsel, as it brings deliverance and guidance.
Proverbs 15:12
“A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.”
This verse portrays the attitude of a scoffer or mocker who refuses reproof and avoids seeking counsel from the wise. It reminds us of the importance of cultivating humility and willingness to learn from others.
Proverbs 13:20
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
This verse highlights the influence of our companions and advises us to surround ourselves with wise individuals. It suggests that by walking with the wise, we can acquire wisdom and avoid the negative consequences of associating with fools.
Proverbs 9:9
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”
This verse emphasizes the receptiveness of a wise person to instruction and learning. It encourages the wise to continue seeking wisdom and knowledge, knowing that it leads to further growth and understanding.
Proverbs 21:5
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
This verse affirms the benefits of diligence and careful planning, which lead to prosperity and abundance. It reminds us of the importance of seeking counsel and taking time to make wise decisions rather than acting hastily.
Proverbs 27:9
“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”
This verse emphasizes the value of true friendship and the sweetness that comes from sincere counsel and advice. It highlights the importance of seeking counsel from trusted friends who genuinely desire our well-being.
Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse encourages us to respond with gentleness and humility in our interactions with others. Seeking counsel can help us understand how to communicate effectively and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Proverbs 25:12
“Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.”
This verse compares a wise reprover to a valuable gold ornament. It suggests that receiving constructive criticism from a wise counselor is precious and can lead to personal growth and transformation.
Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
This verse highlights the importance of positive and mutually beneficial relationships. It reminds us that seeking counsel and guidance from others can sharpen our own understanding and character.