Scripture repeatedly warns us about the danger of bad counsel. The Bible reveals this in the story of Ahithophel, a man whose counsel carried such weight that it was regarded as though one had inquired at the oracle of God (2 Samuel 16:23).
He was esteemed, trusted and relied upon, not only by David but later also by Absalom. Yet, despite his reputation, he became a part of an evil conspiracy. When Absalom rebelled against his father, David, the conspiracy gained strength, and the people increased continually with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12). In the midst of that uprising, Ahithophel joined himself to Absalom.
Then the report reached David: “…Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom…” (2 Samuel 15:31). The presence of Ahithophel in Absalom’s camp meant strategic advantage, because his counsel was powerful, persuasive and influential. But David didn’t panic or try to outmanoeuvre Ahithophel by human strategy. He simply prayed, “…O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness” (2 Samuel 15:31).
That prayer reveals a vital truth: no matter how intelligent a counsel appears, if it’s aligned against God’s purpose, it can be defeated. This is why discernment is essential for leaders. Not every voice around leaders is sent to help. Some counsellors present themselves as wise, but their intent is to mislead, divide and destroy.
They push out the good, speak against the righteous, and attempt to plant ideas that weaken what God is building. But they’re not beyond the reach of divine judgement. The Lord can expose them, silence them and turn their wisdom into foolishness.
As Christians, we must understand and take advantage of our authority in Christ to affect nations and their leaders, families and destinies. Therefore, always pray with understanding, that those in authority may be guided by truth, surrounded by righteous counsel, and strengthened to fulfil God’s purpose. Pray that the Spirit of God will continually grant them discernment to identify and prevail over deceptive agendas and walk in the wisdom of God. Praise God!
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
In Luke 13, a woman who was bent double came into the synagogue; the Bible says for eighteen years she couldn’t straighten up herself. But Jesus knew her problem was spiritual. So He said to those present, “…ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” (Luke 13:16).
Who could have thought it was a spirit of infirmity that held her bound? Medical doctors would have been trying to find out what happened to her bones, the muscles, the tendons, or her ligaments—carrying
out futile tests. But Jesus discerned that it was a spirit of infirmity.
It’s important that you’re spiritually discerning; be spiritually minded. You have the Holy Spirit living in you; He’s the Spirit of knowledge. Through the revelation and enlightenment He brings to your spirit,
you can know the truth about any situation. He’s the Spirit of truth, and part of His ministry in your life is to guide you into all truth. That way, you can always tell what’s behind a particular problem or situation.
It’s also not enough to simply know what’s behind the problem or that a case is spiritual. Learn from what Jesus did; the Bible says, “And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God” (Luke 13:12-13). Hallelujah!
Jesus said the woman was bound by the devil, and if His diagnosis was wrong, His prescription or response would have yielded no result. Jesus always interpreted and dealt with issues from the spiritual standpoint. Likewise, you must be spiritual and spiritually minded. Listen to the Spirit of God; study and meditate on the Scriptures; pray often in the Spirit, and your spiritual alertness and sensitivity will be at its peak always.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him (Ephesians 1:17).
“Revelation” in the foregoing verse is the Greek word “apokalupsis”, which means an unveiling. “Knowledge”; on the other hand, is the Greek word “epignosis”, which means a full discernment, an accurate knowledge of God.
The Amplified Classic Translation makes it a lot clearer. It says, “[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17). There are mysteries and secrets about life, and the anointing and wisdom of God are in you to guide and give you insight into these mysteries and secrets of God.
Psalm 25:14 says, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him….” Life for us isn’t a mystery anymore, because the Holy Spirit is in us, and part of His ministry in us is the unveiling of truth. He grants us spiritual understanding. We know why things are the way they are, and we always know what to do through the Spirit (John 16:13).
For example, earlier in His ministry, the Lord Jesus met Peter cleaning and mending his net after a fruitless fishing expedition. He requested to use Peter’s boat to preach, and when He was through, He asked Peter to launch into the water for a great haul of fish.
Peter recalled how he and his colleagues had toiled all night to no avail. But at the word of the Master, he let down his net, and sure enough, it was the catch of his lifetime (Luke 5:1-8).
Jesus knew where the fishes were. That’s spiritual insight and understanding. He’s the creator of all things. He knows the mysteries and secrets of life. He knows where the businesses are. He knows where the money is. He knows what ideas to give to you to take your ministry and work to the next level.
Trust Him with your life. Make knowing Him more, and keeping His Word, your greatest passion. Through that fellowship, He’ll keep unveiling Himself and the greater mysteries of the Kingdom to you. This is God’s desire for you: that you function with the Spirit of wisdom, expressed in full discernment and accurate knowledge of Him.