Counsel in the Heart of Man
“Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.” (Proverbs 20:5 KJV)
Wise counsel comes from a place deep within the heart. A man who possesses great wisdom has obtained that wisdom because he has dug for himself a deep well of knowledge of God’s Word and has truly lived by that knowledge. A man like this would be a wise counselor. A man of understanding would want to benefit from this wise man’s counsel. In order to do so, the man of understanding will seek to draw out that wisdom even as a thirsty man will seek to draw water from a well. Drawing water from a well requires effort on the part of the thirsty drinker. Likewise, to gain wisdom from wise counsel, the one who “thirsts” for it will seek out the counselor and ask advice or even submit to becoming his disciple.
Paul on several occasions urged his readers to follow his example in the faith and to seek out others who also walk in faith and to imitate them. We can learn from the wisdom of others by a careful examination of their example and by simply listening to their teachings. The ultimate deep well of wisdom, though, is God’s Word, wherein we must be diligent in drawing out that wisdom.
Read Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 2 Timothy 2:15