Navigating the Whole Counsel of God
Navigating the Whole Counsel of God
Diving Deep into the Well of Wisdom
Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman
Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Ti 2:15.
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to treat the Bible like a buffet, picking and choosing the verses that suit our preferences. However, true wisdom isn't found in isolated verses but in the grand mosaic of Scripture, where each piece contributes to the overall masterpiece. To truly know God, we must reach for the "whole counsel of God," embracing the complete and unified message found throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Are you 'Cherry Picking'?
We live in an age of information overload, where it's easy to fall prey to "ear-tickling" messages and selective scripture. People often pick and choose verses that support their pre-existing beliefs, ignoring the bigger picture. This is dangerous because it distorts God's intended message and leads to a fragmented understanding of His truth.
Acts 20:27-28: Our focus verse emphasizes the importance of the "whole counsel of God." Paul, addressing the elders of the Ephesian church, declares that he has not shied away from presenting the complete, unfiltered message of God. This underscores the significance of embracing the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, as a unified and cohesive whole.
Jesus: The Wonderful Counselor
Isaiah 9:6 proclaims Jesus as the "Wonderful Counselor." This highlights the profound truth that all wisdom ultimately originates from Him. God's Word is an extension of His own mind, a reflection of His character and plan for humanity. As John reminds us in his introduction to Christ in the first chapter of his Gospel, He was the word at the beginning of time. Jesus was God and was With God. The Spoken word at the start of creation, “Let there be light!” Likewise, Colossians reminds us of the true authority Jesus has over all of the earth when the Spirit, by way of Paul, wrote, “ 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Col 1:15-16.)
It stands to reason, then, that Jesus, as the author of the world, would have all the wisdom of the world. And we have access to that through God’s written word, The Holy Bible, and the Holy Spirit. When Jesus described the role of the Holy Spirit in John 14:26, he said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” While many neglect the written word in favor of prayer and spiritual experiences, we would do well to remember that part of the description of the Holy Spirit is to REMIND us of everything Jesus said. How then can we be reminded if we don't first read it? I personally find this to be a cop-out for Christians to be lazy and spoon-fed, rather than doing the work themselves to grow closer to God. As Paul writes to Timothy “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Ti 2:15) We have a deeply personal responsibility to seek out the whole counsel of God, through the written word, the mind of Christ, so that the spirit can use that study to cultivate in us a sanctified life.
Balancing Worldly Wisdom and God's Word
While we can glean valuable insights from the world around us – through education, experience, and observation – we must always prioritize God's Word as our ultimate source of truth and wisdom. This is not to say that we should isolate ourselves from the world, but rather that we should carefully discern between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.
Worldly wisdom often prioritizes fleeting pleasures and self-gratification. It encourages us to chase after immediate rewards, to prioritize material possessions and social status, and to define success by external measures. This pursuit of fleeting pleasures can leave us feeling empty, anxious, and ultimately unfulfilled.
In contrast, godly wisdom emphasizes long-term growth, character development, and a life lived in accordance with God's will. It encourages us to cultivate virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It emphasizes the importance of serving others, living with integrity, and pursuing a life of purpose beyond ourselves.
Applying the Whole Counsel of God requires a conscious and intentional effort. It begins with prayer, where we humbly seek God's guidance and wisdom in all our decisions. Through prayer, we open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to illuminate our understanding and reveal the path that aligns with His will. As Romans 12 warns us, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Ro 12:2.) We will only know the will of God for our lives when we embrace the transformative power of the Word. But in order to do that we have to forsake the world's ‘wisdom’ in order to pursue God’s wisdom.
James 1:5-8 exhorts us “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” In order to receive anything from God we must be single-minded on his word and discerning what is of the world and of Him.
This process of discernment is ongoing. It requires us to constantly examine our thoughts, motives, and actions in light of God's Word. It requires us to be willing to surrender our own desires and ambitions to His will, even when it's difficult. Ultimately, embracing godly wisdom leads to a life of true fulfillment, lasting peace, and a deep and abiding relationship with God. It is a journey of continual growth and transformation, a journey of aligning our lives with the perfect will of our Creator.
Biblical Decision Making
Biblical decision-making isn't about forcing God's hand or manipulating circumstances to get what we want. It's a dance of surrender, a delicate balance of discerning God's will and embracing His timing. We must ask ourselves three crucial questions:
Is it Biblical? - Is this path aligned with God's Word?
Do I truly desire this? - Not out of fleeting ambition or fleeting desires, but out of a genuine yearning that resonates with my soul?
Is there an Open Door? - Is there a clear path forward, or an opportunity to pursue this with integrity?
Crucially, this process demands humility. We must be willing to accept God's answer, even if it's a resounding "NO." Disappointment is inevitable, but within that disappointment, we can find a deeper trust, a surrender that allows God to guide us towards a path we may not have foreseen, a path that ultimately leads to greater fulfillment and deeper intimacy with Him.
And throughout this journey, remember that we have an advocate, a mediator in Jesus Christ. He understands our struggles, our weaknesses, our deepest longings. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that Jesus intercedes on our behalf, and presenting our prayers with compassion and understanding. (Heb 4:15)
This approach to decision-making isn't about rigid rules or restrictive formulas. It's about cultivating a deep and abiding relationship with God, a relationship characterized by honest dialogue, attentive listening, and a willingness to surrender our own will to His.
The "whole counsel of God" is not just a collection of verses; it's a living and active word that empowers us to navigate life's challenges with wisdom and grace. By embracing the entirety of Scripture and seeking God's guidance through prayer, we can experience the fullness of His love and live a life that truly reflects His glory.
Are you 'Cherry Picking'?
We live in an age of information overload, where it's easy to fall prey to "ear-tickling" messages and selective scripture. People often pick and choose verses that support their pre-existing beliefs, ignoring the bigger picture. This is dangerous because it distorts God's intended message and leads to a fragmented understanding of His truth.
Acts 20:27-28: Our focus verse emphasizes the importance of the "whole counsel of God." Paul, addressing the elders of the Ephesian church, declares that he has not shied away from presenting the complete, unfiltered message of God. This underscores the significance of embracing the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, as a unified and cohesive whole.
Jesus: The Wonderful Counselor
Isaiah 9:6 proclaims Jesus as the "Wonderful Counselor." This highlights the profound truth that all wisdom ultimately originates from Him. God's Word is an extension of His own mind, a reflection of His character and plan for humanity. As John reminds us in his introduction to Christ in the first chapter of his Gospel, He was the word at the beginning of time. Jesus was God and was With God. The Spoken word at the start of creation, “Let there be light!” Likewise, Colossians reminds us of the true authority Jesus has over all of the earth when the Spirit, by way of Paul, wrote, “ 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Col 1:15-16.)
It stands to reason, then, that Jesus, as the author of the world, would have all the wisdom of the world. And we have access to that through God’s written word, The Holy Bible, and the Holy Spirit. When Jesus described the role of the Holy Spirit in John 14:26, he said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” While many neglect the written word in favor of prayer and spiritual experiences, we would do well to remember that part of the description of the Holy Spirit is to REMIND us of everything Jesus said. How then can we be reminded if we don't first read it? I personally find this to be a cop-out for Christians to be lazy and spoon-fed, rather than doing the work themselves to grow closer to God. As Paul writes to Timothy “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Ti 2:15) We have a deeply personal responsibility to seek out the whole counsel of God, through the written word, the mind of Christ, so that the spirit can use that study to cultivate in us a sanctified life.
Balancing Worldly Wisdom and God's Word
While we can glean valuable insights from the world around us – through education, experience, and observation – we must always prioritize God's Word as our ultimate source of truth and wisdom. This is not to say that we should isolate ourselves from the world, but rather that we should carefully discern between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.
Worldly wisdom often prioritizes fleeting pleasures and self-gratification. It encourages us to chase after immediate rewards, to prioritize material possessions and social status, and to define success by external measures. This pursuit of fleeting pleasures can leave us feeling empty, anxious, and ultimately unfulfilled.
In contrast, godly wisdom emphasizes long-term growth, character development, and a life lived in accordance with God's will. It encourages us to cultivate virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It emphasizes the importance of serving others, living with integrity, and pursuing a life of purpose beyond ourselves.
Applying the Whole Counsel of God requires a conscious and intentional effort. It begins with prayer, where we humbly seek God's guidance and wisdom in all our decisions. Through prayer, we open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to illuminate our understanding and reveal the path that aligns with His will. As Romans 12 warns us, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Ro 12:2.) We will only know the will of God for our lives when we embrace the transformative power of the Word. But in order to do that we have to forsake the world's ‘wisdom’ in order to pursue God’s wisdom.
James 1:5-8 exhorts us “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” In order to receive anything from God we must be single-minded on his word and discerning what is of the world and of Him.
This process of discernment is ongoing. It requires us to constantly examine our thoughts, motives, and actions in light of God's Word. It requires us to be willing to surrender our own desires and ambitions to His will, even when it's difficult. Ultimately, embracing godly wisdom leads to a life of true fulfillment, lasting peace, and a deep and abiding relationship with God. It is a journey of continual growth and transformation, a journey of aligning our lives with the perfect will of our Creator.
Biblical Decision Making
Biblical decision-making isn't about forcing God's hand or manipulating circumstances to get what we want. It's a dance of surrender, a delicate balance of discerning God's will and embracing His timing. We must ask ourselves three crucial questions:
Is it Biblical? - Is this path aligned with God's Word?
Do I truly desire this? - Not out of fleeting ambition or fleeting desires, but out of a genuine yearning that resonates with my soul?
Is there an Open Door? - Is there a clear path forward, or an opportunity to pursue this with integrity?
Crucially, this process demands humility. We must be willing to accept God's answer, even if it's a resounding "NO." Disappointment is inevitable, but within that disappointment, we can find a deeper trust, a surrender that allows God to guide us towards a path we may not have foreseen, a path that ultimately leads to greater fulfillment and deeper intimacy with Him.
And throughout this journey, remember that we have an advocate, a mediator in Jesus Christ. He understands our struggles, our weaknesses, our deepest longings. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that Jesus intercedes on our behalf, and presenting our prayers with compassion and understanding. (Heb 4:15)
This approach to decision-making isn't about rigid rules or restrictive formulas. It's about cultivating a deep and abiding relationship with God, a relationship characterized by honest dialogue, attentive listening, and a willingness to surrender our own will to His.
The "whole counsel of God" is not just a collection of verses; it's a living and active word that empowers us to navigate life's challenges with wisdom and grace. By embracing the entirety of Scripture and seeking God's guidance through prayer, we can experience the fullness of His love and live a life that truly reflects His glory.
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Life Application
Embracing the Full Counsel of God
To fully embrace the whole counsel of God, we must commit to regular Bible study, prayer, and seeking godly counsel. This week, challenge yourself to:
1. Read a full chapter of the Bible daily to understand the context of individual verses.
2. Pray for wisdom and guidance in specific areas of your life.
3. Seek godly counsel from trusted mentors or church leaders.
Reflective Questions
1. Am I relying on the full counsel of God or cherry-picking verses to fit my narrative?
2. How can I incorporate more comprehensive Bible study into my daily routine?
3. In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's wisdom through prayer and Scripture?
By embracing the whole counsel of God, we can deepen our faith, make wiser decisions, and live lives that reflect His glory. Have a blessed week, and may you find the wisdom and guidance you seek in God's Word.
Stay tuned for more insights and join us next week as we continue to explore the true context of scripture. Have a blessed week!
To fully embrace the whole counsel of God, we must commit to regular Bible study, prayer, and seeking godly counsel. This week, challenge yourself to:
1. Read a full chapter of the Bible daily to understand the context of individual verses.
2. Pray for wisdom and guidance in specific areas of your life.
3. Seek godly counsel from trusted mentors or church leaders.
Reflective Questions
1. Am I relying on the full counsel of God or cherry-picking verses to fit my narrative?
2. How can I incorporate more comprehensive Bible study into my daily routine?
3. In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's wisdom through prayer and Scripture?
By embracing the whole counsel of God, we can deepen our faith, make wiser decisions, and live lives that reflect His glory. Have a blessed week, and may you find the wisdom and guidance you seek in God's Word.
Stay tuned for more insights and join us next week as we continue to explore the true context of scripture. Have a blessed week!
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