After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Acts 16:7-9

God spoke to the Apostle Paul in a dream. I do not advise waiting for that kind of leading, or even trusting it if you do have a dream. Why? Because dreams are not how God generally (if ever) leads His people. Instead, we have said that we know God’s will by knowing God’s Word.

We ended last time by saying there is another way in which God is often pleased to reveal His will to us. That way is by seeking wise counsel. I’ve been stumped by a problem before, so I have telephoned, asking a trusted counselor to help me sort things out. But there are two important warnings attached to this.

First, to whom do I go for counsel? Not just anybody. And certainly not somebody who is likely to tell me what I want to hear. Instead, I must go only to a person I know has a committed and long-standing life in God’s Word. Seeking counsel is about seeking God’s Word!

Second, the counselor is not the Holy Spirit. I must not simply do as the counselor says as though the counselor is infallible. A counselor counsels me to help me discern and decide wisely. If a counselor insists that I do as he or she says, I need to seek a different counselor!* I must make the decision and I am accountable to God for my decision.

So, the first point insists that I choose a counselor wisely. The second point insists on my personal responsibility to discern and walk by faith rather than blindly following another person.

*The only exception to this statement would be if the counselor points you to a commandment in scripture, in which case I would not be obeying the counselor but God Himself.