The Spirit of Counsel and Might
“And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might…” — Isaiah 11:2 (NLT)
Building upon Wisdom and Understanding, the Holy Spirit provides two additional pillars for the believer: Counsel and Might. If Wisdom is knowing how to act and Understanding is seeing why, then Counsel is the Strategy and Might is the Strength to execute it.
Counsel: God’s Strategy for Your Life
Counsel — עֵצָה (Hebrew: etsah) means advice, purpose, plan; often used for divine strategy or wise planning.
Counsel is more than just a good suggestion; it is the right advice at the right time. It is God’s way of helping you make decisions that align perfectly with His eternal intentions.
Jesus’ Example: Jesus didn't just give opinions; He gave purpose. As the "Wonderful Counselor" (Isaiah 9:6), His advice led people toward healing and truth. He moved with a divine strategy that was always wise and loving.
The Stability of God's Plan: Unlike human opinions that shift with the wind, Psalm 33:11 tells us, "The Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken." His counsel is steady and purposeful.
How it Helps You:
Make choices that reflect God’s heart rather than your own impulses.
Discern the timing of Heaven—knowing exactly when to wait and when to act.
Trust that His plan is superior to your own limited perspective.
Might: Courage to Do What’s Right
Might — גְּבוּרָה (Hebrew: geburah) means strength, valor, heroic power; the type of power used by warriors and kings for divine acts of deliverance.
Might is not merely physical muscle; it is spiritual fortitude. It is the courage, boldness, and power to follow through on God's counsel even when things get difficult or scary.
Jesus’ Example: Jesus demonstrated geburah throughout His ministry. He had the strength to stand up to corrupt leaders and the heroic power to choose the cross out of love. He wasn't forced; He was mighty enough to submit to the Father's will.
Borrowed Strength: We are told to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" (Ephesians 6:10). This means we don't have to rely on our own fragile reserves; God provides the Spirit of power to do what is right.
How it Helps You:
Stand up for those who are being bullied or marginalized.
Resist peer pressure and remain firm in your convictions.
Keep moving forward when life feels heavy or overwhelming.
Supportive Scriptures
Proverbs 19:21: "You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail."
2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
Philippians 4:13: "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
Reflective Questions
On Counsel: What is one major decision you are facing right now? How are you intentionally creating space to hear God's etsah (strategy) rather than just gathering human opinions?
On Might: In what area of your life do you feel "timid" or weak? How would your approach change if you expected God’s geburah (heroic power) to flow through you?
On Discernment: When you receive advice from others, what "filters" do you use to determine if it is God's counsel or just a person's perspective?