Seek Wise Counsel

Wednesday, October 14th, 2026

4:03 am

Good morning! Today I am in Acts 15:22-35. After the meeting with Paul, Barnabas, the other apostles, and the elders of the church, they decided to send some delegates with Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch to report their decision to the Gentiles. They took a letter with them from the apostles and elders, telling them that the men that had troubled and upset them were not sent by them. And that they had come to an agreement on the question of following the laws of Moses. And that they have sent them some official representatives to confirm to them their decision. They told them that it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and them to not lay any greater burden on them than a few requirements: abstaining from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If they did these things, they would do well. When they got to Antioch, they called a meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. There was great joy throughout the church that day as they read the encouraging message. The two delegates that had went with Paul and Barnabas were both prophets, and they spoke to the believers at length, encouraging and strengthening them in their faith. They stayed for awhile, then the believers sent them back to Jerusalem with a blessing of peace. Paul and Barnabas stayed, and they, along with many others, taught and preached the word of the Lord there.

The question of whether or not the Gentiles had to obey all the laws of Moses or not could have split the early church. But instead of splitting, Paul and Barnabas went to talk to the other apostles in Jerusalem to decide what they should do. The believers met with other believers and they let the Holy Spirit guide them. They came to an agreement, and got the message back to the Gentiles, and encouraged and strengthened their faith.

We will not always agree with other people, but instead of causing division and refusing to work together, we should seek God and ask Him to guide us in the situation. God does not want us to argue and fight with one another, but for us to come together in one cause for Him. Just like Paul and Barnabas did, we should seek wise counsel from God and other believers, being careful not to follow people that are of the world. People that are of the world will lead us astray, just like the people that came in and tried to get the Gentiles to follow all the Jewish rules.

Whether it is disagreements with other believers or decisions we have to make for ourselves, we should seek God, and allow God to show us the right decision to make. He will do this through His Holy Spirit that is within each of His people, through His Word, and he will also send people across our path to guide us. When you seek guidance from Him, we must make sure we are giving Him the opportunity to speak to us before making any rash decisions. God will answer if we seek Him, but we must be open for Him to answer. Allow God to speak to you today. Seek Him, and He will answer you.