“One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Proverbs 12:26
Have you ever counseled and guided someone before? It could be a friend, family member, or an acquaintance. Counseling is an important tool for helping others deal with all kinds of issues – finances, relationships, or other personal things. Counseling guides people to figure out the best way to resolve those issues that need addressing. It helps them get back to a sense of normalcy in life.
Counseling is also important for people who just need an ear to listen. If I need to just blow off stress, talk about whatever problems I’m facing, I just need someone to be there to listen. They don’t have to offer advice. The advice you give and the methods you recommend to help them achieve success, should benefit them emotionally, mentally, and even physically. You’re acting as a guide to that person who needs help.
Our Righteous Guide
What, then, is our spiritual, righteous guide? In the end, it’s God’s word. But what if we’re not familiar with the Word and aren’t sure how to use it as our guide? Then we should seek someone who does understand and can counsel us with it. But we need to use discernment when going to others because it shouldn’t be just anyone with God’s word. It should be someone who is considered righteous in God’s eyes.
How can we know what that looks like? Who is a “righteous person”? We must look at this from God’s perspective and not according to our own ideas or opinions. God considers people who know, believe in, and follow His word, as righteous.
Examples of Righteous Guides
Abraham was called righteous for trusting God’s promise and obeying it, no matter the circumstances. Jesus was of course righteous because he carried out the will of God and obeyed the task God entrusted to him. That task to teach people about the kingdom of heaven and to bear the cross.
Jesus’ disciples were also considered to be righteous. Despite hardship and persecution, they obeyed Jesus’ command to spread the gospel throughout the whole world. They trusted the promise of receiving salvation and the kingdom of heaven for their sacrifices.
Misunderstanding Leads Us to a Pit
All of these people knew God’s commands, understood them, and obeyed. Therefore, they were able to lead others to God. But if one does not follow God’s Word, if they do not understand it, they will end up leading people astray.
In Matthew 15:14 Jesus said,
“Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Jesus was talking about the Pharisees who led the Jewish people away from Christ Jesus. The very one God promised to send for their salvation. If we think about it in today’s time, what we say and do should lead others closer to God and Christ instead of taking the focus off of them with talk of worldly problems or desires.
Before You Guide Someone Else, Make Sure You Understand First
If we want to be able to be righteous guides to our neighbors, we must first make sure that we know and understand the Word ourselves. I’ve heard a saying that goes like this: “Those who want to lead must learn to follow.”
Think about yourself. Do you understand the Word well enough to lead others? If we don’t check our own hearts and understanding, then what will become of those who listen to us?
If we do and say things that go against the Bible, then we’re doing what Satan desires instead of what God desires. We will be like Judas Iscariot and others who ended up opposing God’s work. Before leading others, we must always make sure we understand and act out our faith rightly according to the Bible.
Just like on an airplane, we must properly put on our spiritual airmask first and then help others’ with theirs. To be righteous in God’s eyes, and guide our neighbors to God’s Word and the path to salvation, we first must walk that path ourselves.
How to Become Righteous and Then a Guide
How can we start to become a righteous person? Just as therapy begins with making small changes to your daily life to help correct the issue, we can begin to make small changes, too, in our lives of faith. Making changes like praying in the morning or at night every day, or taking time to read a few chapters of the Bible are a start.
By making the effort to change and begin to live as God desires us to, we walk on that path to becoming a righteous person who’s acknowledged by God. So let’s take the opportunity to genuinely study and understand God’s word. We can help you with that. Let’s know it well enough to become a righteous guide to others who want to learn, too.
Written by Kenny
Read More
Get Behind Me Satan! How To Not Hinder God’s Work
Be Careful of Who You Accept Counsel From – The Proverbs Series
The Cost of Following God’s Truth
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