Our spiritual depth helps us give hearty counsel to others, which is counsel of the soul.
Touching the Heart
Some advice heals and encourages us by touching our heart. The advice reaches into the seat of our character, thus touching our integrity and emotions.
To reach our heart, the counselor must be sensitive to what we’re sharing, express empathy, and offer support as they move us to consider how we can move forward from our present situation.
The friend who is counseling us is sharing from their personal experiences, as well as their insights drawn from those experiences. That level of deep sharing, according to Proverbs 27.9, “,,, rejoices the heart …” thus connects to where we have a need.
Friends impact us most deeply when sharing from both their heart and soul. Proverbs 27.9 paraphrase. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Touching the Soul
It is good to have friends who meet us where we are. That said, Proverbs 27.9 goes on to describe a deeper level of interaction, hearty (Hebrew Nephesh) counsel, earnest advice – counsel of the soul.
As such, that friend is sharing from their soul, their deepest spiritual self. Their advice moves beyond emotional care to address the underlying spiritual needs that surface through our emotions.
That friend’s counsel is sweet (Hebrew Metheq; see Proverbs 16.21), indicating the depth and impact of the sharing.
According to Proverbs 16.21, this sharing of “sweet” counsel comes from someone who is wise-hearted and discerning. Thus, knowing wisdom equips us to offer to others counsel of the soul.
In short, it’s good to touch the heart of someone, but it’s much more impactful to counsel from the soul, to the soul.
Intentional character development involves following a good example. Proverbs 23.26 paraphrase. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Apply This Today!
My personal growth, in regard to knowing wisdom, equips me to be a friend who can share deeply with others.
Building an impactful friendship demands intentionality. Soul-level sharing doesn’t happen unless we’re deliberate about it. Here, intentional growth pairs with intentional sharing.
Mutual benefit, where “iron sharpens iron,” occurs when both friends are committed to growing and then sharing what they’ve learned. As such, we become sharper on purpose. Consequently, we’re deliberate about our influence.
A Question to Consider
Do you have a friend who touches your heart and your soul? If so, how did you get to that level of a relationship with them?
I’m Dale Young. My posts share the balanced life to build wise character and guide wise behavior.
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