Divorce the World: Disconnect from Ungodly Counsel

Divorce the World: Disconnect from Ungodly Counsel (PDF at end)

We are halfway through this series on breaking fellowship with the world and deepening fellowship with God. The idea has been to look at four spiritual and practical ways to divorce the world: Gaze on Jesus, Wash in the Word, Disconnect from Evil, and Pick Your Treasures. You can read more about this series in the INTRODUCTION. The best part has been engaging with Psalm 119. At its core, this Psalm demonstrates separation from what the world is offering and delighting in God’s word. (Other Posts: Intro || Gaze on Jesus || Wash in the Word)

The term ungodly counsel comes from Psalm 1. I chose this term, but related words throughout the Bible include: wickedness, evil, darkness, selfish ambition… You get the idea.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by the water that yields its fruit in season and its leaf does not wither. Psalm 1:1-3

Disconnecting from ungodly counsel means to stop, turn away, flee, and counter ideas that are contrary, contradictory, or in opposition to the Word of God. Our adversary goes around like a roaring lion seeking to devour. He is called the Father of lies. It is naive for us to think we are above his cunning ways. We don’t live in fear of him. We have authority over him. But that authority comes as we embrace the fear of the Lord, abide in the vine, take shelter in God’s name, and dwell in his covering (Proverbs 9:10, John 15, Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 91).

In order to disconnect from ungodly counsel, we need to be gazing on Jesus and engaging in the Word of God. Those are foundational strengths for fleeing deception. And, we will need the Holy Spirit like never before. If you haven’t already befriended him, now is a good time. Jesus calls the Spirit a counselor, the Spirit of truth, and says that he convicts us of sin and righteousness (John 14 & 16). So, yeah, we need his help. And, teaming the Word with the Spirit is a weapon—the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Our discernment sharpens each time we open the Word and partake. Every second our eyes stay locked on Jesus, vigilance grows in our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Fair warning, though. Disconnecting from ungodly counsel will mess with your comforts, entitlement, “freedom,” and will. It’s another way of saying take up our cross, die to self, put on the new man–mature. I’ll say the same to you that I remind myself of daily. God—your way is perfect (Psalm 18:27-36).

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Okay, so here’s the deal. I’m still growing in these areas. The way gets narrower the closer we get to God’s heart, so I think we will always be growing in this way. Maybe we can keep each other accountable to Word? Here are some practical ways to disconnect from ungodly counsel.

Find the Truth

When I recognize deception or a deceiving twist on God’s word, I find the actual Bible verse and meditate on it. I journal it. I turn into a prayer and tell God again I choose his way. Example,

• A popular saying is “follow your heart.” Nope! That’s bad advice, friends. Jesus taught us to lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, because where your treasure is your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-24). Pick your treasure and your heart will follow. Prayer: Jesus, I pick you again today. You never fade! You’re my treasure, so renew my heart as I run after yours.

Redirect

When conversations turn to fear, complaining, judgement, gossip, slander, soapbox, etc., I try to redirect it as soon as I notice. Sometimes this is hard, but those things are not noble. They lead to strife and division, and even wickedness. Ask the Holy Spirit to help. He’s a good counselor! And, in the spirit of bearing with another, I find the Spirit’s wording to be just right. Examples,

• I realized recently that I am more likely to complain to my son than anyone else. I don’t know why, really, other than he’s family, and my defenses come down when I’m around him. So, now I’m aware and more careful not to dump on him, and I try to bring better things to the conversation instead.

• When in conversation with someone who’s working through a tough situation, that is called being a friend, ask the Holy Spirit for the right responses. Be careful not to agree with the accuser of the brethren.

• Sometimes the best thing to do is be blunt. “This feels like gossip. Let’s change the subject.”

Flee!

Movies, books, conversations, unhealthy relationships, media, social media accounts, reels, photos, articles, advertisements… Did I miss any? Basically, anything that comes before our eyes or into our ears needs discernment. When it is stirring up temptation, sin, and unholiness, we have to shut it down. This is disconnecting with ungodly, wicked, mocking counsel. (See also Our Eyes Series.) Examples,

• I was watching a TV show that followed a tribe in Africa. It was fascinating to me at the time because of my degree. One of the episodes was of a ritual for healing, I believe. I felt the Spirit nudge, “Turn it off.” I delayed. Seconds later, I heard an audible voice and a clap, a very loud cloud, “Turn it off.” I got up immediately and turned the TV off, and repented.

• As I was writing this post, a few people occupied the tables near me at the library. Their behavior was stirring up weird thoughts in my mind. I tried to turn my chair away. Didn’t work, and it got worse. I got up from my favorite table in the library, and went to the second floor. My mind belongs to Jesus.

• I stopped watching House Hunters and shows like it because it stirs up coveting in me. That’s not good for me heart.

Take Thoughts Captive
This is a big one because we can’t shut our minds off in the same we can walk out of a movie or exit a conversation. The enemy bombards our minds with all kinds of stuff—memories, nostalgia, stored images, deception/temptation, curiosity, fantasizing, self-grandizement, self-hatred, anxiety, and some of those are spiritual issues like familiar spirits and soul ties. There is a reason Jesus said to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Good news! We’ve been given divine weapons to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. And the Holy Spirit gives us the mind of Christ. Don’t be discouraged. Use what we’ve been given and ask the Spirit for defense and help! (2 Corinthians 10, 1 Corinthians 2)

One way to take thoughts captive or change the mind traffic, is to have a verse or declaration that opposes the ungodly counsel on hand. Here are a few of my go-to’s:

• Nope! I’ve been made new by the blood of the Lamb.
• Ha! Nice try. I’m a daughter of God!
• I’m a temple of the Holy Spirit.
• Bless the Lord, soul! He is very great.
• Jesus, I need you. Renew my mind.
• AND
• Thanksgiving. Just start thanking God for any and everything

I hope you can see why a steady diet of God’s Word and meditating on him are crucial to disconnecting with ungodly counsel in addition to the our dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Why do we take these steps? Because we want to know the Lord more. We want to ascend his holy hill, and ungodly counsel can’t go with us. It hinders every step of the way.

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Psalm 119

It’s interesting that most of the verses about fleeing evil from Psalm 119 are intercessions and declarations. But, there are some promises to be had. See the ending verses!

Intercession — Keep me from wandering
Oh that my ways be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
Let me not wander from your commandments 119:5&10

Intercession — Teach me your law
Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law 119:29

Intercession — Turn my hearts toward you
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and give me life in your ways 119:36-37

Declaration — I do not wander from you
The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not wander from your law 119:51

Declaration — I quickly turn to you and do not forget your ways
When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law 119:59-61

Declaration — Jesus, your way is better!
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces 119:72

Declaration — I hate falsehood
I hold back my feet from every evil way in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me…through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way 119:101-104

Declaration — I will not stray
The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts 119:95,110

Intercession — Depart from me, evil
I hate the double-minded, but I love your law…depart from me you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God 119:113,115

Promise — You keep me steady
Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let not iniquity get dominion over me 119:133

Declaration — I love your Word
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies. Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love 119:157,159

Intercession — Help me, Lord
Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts 119:173

Other Verses

Psalm 124:7-8
We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

1 Corinthians 10:13-14 (or vs.1-22 in context)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience.

James 4:3-8
You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God…Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

Romans 16:19-20
I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.