Bad advisers causing global failure

Proverbs 15: 22 states: "Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counsellors, they are established."

Regardless of the plans and vision one has, success or failure will depend on the advisers/counsellors with which one surrounds oneself.

Much of the global failure we see today is the result of the bad counsel given by poor advisers in seats of influence. Leaders have had short tenure simply because of the poor advice they have received.

Nathan was a good adviser to King David. He gave advice based on God's will and purpose. He was not there to get rich or seek fame and popularity. He never compromised, nor was he afraid to speak the truth. Many advisers today have wrong motives and treat their role as a mere paid position rather than the serious and important function it is regarding nation building and global success.

Regardless of the capacity within which they give counsel - religious, political, legal, financial, business operations and so on, they must have one thing in common - The fear of the Lord (Psalm 25: 12-15).

Through the fear of the Lord comes wisdom, knowledge, guidance, spiritual prosperity, posterity, and a Divine Confidant who will reveal secrets to you in order to give good advice and solve problems.

Leaders in every capacity need advisers who will not be yes-men, but ones who will not compromise and will tell them the truth, even if it is not what they want or like to hear. For example, many leaders take advice that goes against God's laws and precepts, including making decisions and/or passing resolutions against Israel (Joel 3: 2, Genesis 12: 3; Ezekiel 39: 6 and Zechariah 2: 6- 8).

Oftentimes, we are concerned about who opposes us, but the enemy that is within is greater than the enemy without! If your inner circle which is advising you believes that they are more qualified than you are and harbour secret ambitions or hidden agendas, then they will advise you to your downfall.

Never take advice from those within the occult, false prophets, apostate Christians, diviners, magicians, or soothsayers. Once you take advice from them, it will bring defilement on yourself and on the people, (Exodus 7: 11; Genesis 41: 8; Leviticus 19: 31; Leviticus 20: 6, I Chronicles 10: 13; Isaiah 8: 19, Isaiah 47: 12-13).

CHECK THEIR MOTIVES

Always check the motives of your advisers. Haman was a bad adviser to King Ahasuerus (Xerxes). He had bad motives - to conspire and lie to the king so that the king would depend solely on his advice, and to rise to power himself. He told lies against good advisers (Mordecai) and sought to eliminate an entire race because of his personal prejudices. He misled the king. Thankfully, there was an Esther.

Oftentimes, these bad advisers have the sole goal of blocking those who will come with the truth.

Good advisers teach those they advise to please God first - God will please the people.

Every leader must first have a relationship with the Chief Adviser - the Holy Spirit (John 15: 26). The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, Comforter, Helper, Intercessor, and Teacher.

Every adviser must know the times and seasons. Many leaders make decisions in bad timing. Some try to get the favour of man in order to get victory, meanwhile, they are falling out of favour with God. It is not what man says that counts, it is what God says.

A good adviser must be wise, discerning, and able to put plans in place for future famine, disasters, and so on (Genesis 41: 37-57).

DREAMS AND VISIONS

Nothing happens in the earth without God revealing it. God has been speaking to many leaders in dreams and visions to prevent certain happenings within a nation, whether it be a health or economic crisis, or even election loss; but there is none to interpret. Why are their dreams not being interpreted?

The purposes of dreams and visions are to:

- Provide God's answers to our questions.

- Give instruction in the things of God.

- Warn us against unseen danger.

- Guide us away from wrongdoing.

- Keep us away from pride.

- Save our lives.

There are many negative things happenings globally. Many leaders are making many mistakes and billions are going to waste.

Our leaders have been getting bad advice and have been employed bad advisers.

In Daniel 2, had the king not threatened to destroy them and their household if they did not carry out their roles, he would not have seen the light and understood what to do from there.

If leaders want to be successful, they need to take a good look at what has transpired over the years with the same old advisers throughout the years, regardless of their field. So if we want to see change, first change the advisers.

- Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Time Finance' and 'The New Millionaire'.