The term “counsellor” has several meanings. Most often, it is used to describe someone who is a therapist, which could mean a licensed clinical social worker, a marriage and family counsellor, a psychologist or even a psychiatrist who conduct regular therapy sessions. The word is also used to describe lawyers who advocate for others in court or give legal advice, a person working as a consul or representative of a state, a person working at a children’s camp or at a school to give academic advice, or for a church. Counselor could also mean someone who analyzes a situation and gives advice to one who has responsibility for making a decision. Israelite kings seem to have employed counsellors on a regular basis (2 Sam. 16:23; 1 Kings 12:6-14; Isa. 1:26; 3:3; Mic. 4:9). God is often regarded as a counsellor (Pss. 16:7; 73:24) as is His Messiah (Isa. 9:6; 11:2) and the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7).
The prophesy of Isaiah on the birth of the Messianic King (Jesus Christ) in Isaiah 9:6 is very relevant here. The design of the gospel is to break the yoke of sin and Satan, to remove the burden of guilt and corruption that we might be brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Where therefore is He that undertakes and accomplishes these great things for the Church? The prophet tells us that they shall be done by the Messiah, Immanuel. He shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, etc. Jesus is the Counsellor for He was intimately acquainted with the counsel of God from eternity, and He gives counsel to the children of men. He is the wisdom of the Father and He is to us wisdom.
In the gospel according to John, counsellor is likened to Comforter (John 16:7), and Jesus said “…for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you…” Comforter however is a commonly used translation of the Greek word paracletos. John’s Gospel features five passages in which this word details the work and ministry of the Comforter for believers. Jesus told His disciples He was going away and that it was to their advantage because He would send another Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who would never be taken away from them. The same word is rendered in 1 John 2:1 as “Advocate” and is a reference to Jesus’ intercessory work for believers. The “two Comforters” can be seen as working simultaneously: the Spirit Paraclete working in and for us on earth and Jesus the Paraclete, working for us in heaven, as One who “always lives to intercede” for us (Heb 7:25).
There are a number of roles that the Comforter (Counsellor) would play in the life of the believer.
He will teach believers all things (John 14:26). As the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, Christ was a teacher to His disciples; if He would leave them now that they have made so little proficiency, what will become of them? The Spirit shall teach them, shall be their standing tutor. He shall teach them all things necessary for them either to learn themselves or to teach others. For those that would teach the things of God must first be taught of God in the Spirit’s work, Isa. 59:21. This was not to the disciples alone, but by extension, to all Christians.
He bears witness to Christ (John 15:26). The Counsellor is not only an advocate, but a witness for Jesus Christ. He sanctifies Christians and in both testifies of Christ.
He will expose the world’s error and bring about conviction of sin (John 16:8). The office of the Spirit is to reprove. The Spirit, by the word and conscience is a reprover. It is a law term, and speaks of the judge summing up the evidence and setting a matter in a clear and true light. Convincing work is the Spirit’s work; He can do it effectually, and none but He; man may open the cause; but it is He that can open the heart.
He will guide believers in the way of truth (John 16:13). To guide is to advise; and according to Proverb 11:14, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety”. It is a big risk to embark on something you have little or no knowledge about. It is even a greater risk to seek advice from those who have no knowledge or experience about the issue at hand. One lesson here is that the strength or quality of man’s decisions is a function of the level of knowledge and experience his counsellors have. We can therefore go to sleep on any matter confronting us once we have “the Counsellor” with us who will certainly guide us in the way of truth.
Who is your counsellor? Your counsellor would either be a catalyst or hindrance to your destination. To get the full benefit of counselling, ensure you choose the right counsellors; and above all, you must ensure you glue to the supreme Counsellor who will lead you to abundance in all your lives endeavour. Remember, without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Have a week when you can sleep with both eyes closed as you rely on the Counsellor who is both the Comforter and Advocate.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
Igein Isemede.