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100 Bible Verses about Bad Counsel

Proverbs 12:5 ESV / 173 helpful votes

The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 127 helpful votes

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 19:20-21 ESV / 112 helpful votes

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Jeremiah 23:16 ESV / 108 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.

Psalm 1:1 ESV / 106 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

Proverbs 14:7 ESV / 103 helpful votes

Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 98 helpful votes

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 12:15 ESV / 92 helpful votes

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Job 42:7 ESV / 84 helpful votes

After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 61 helpful votes

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Psalm 1:1-2 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 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.

1 Kings 12:8-11 ESV / 51 helpful votes

But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father's thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

Proverbs 24:6 ESV / 49 helpful votes

For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 48 helpful votes

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

Jeremiah 7:24 ESV / 45 helpful votes

But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

2 Samuel 16:20-23 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?” Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.

Proverbs 28:26 ESV / 40 helpful votes

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Isaiah 19:11-14 ESV / 39 helpful votes

The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish; the wisest counselors of Pharaoh give stupid counsel. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient kings”? Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you that they might know what the Lord of hosts has purposed against Egypt. The princes of Zoan have become fools, and the princes of Memphis are deluded; those who are the cornerstones of her tribes have made Egypt stagger. The Lord has mingled within her a spirit of confusion, and they will make Egypt stagger in all its deeds, as a drunken man staggers in his vomit.

Isaiah 19:11 ESV / 36 helpful votes

The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish; the wisest counselors of Pharaoh give stupid counsel. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient kings”?

2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV / 32 helpful votes

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Ezekiel 13:3 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Psalm 1:1-6 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 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 streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

Matthew 16:23 ESV / 28 helpful votes

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Matthew 7:15 ESV / 28 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Isaiah 9:16 ESV / 28 helpful votes

For those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.

1 Kings 12:8 ESV / 28 helpful votes

But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.

Psalm 106:43 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity.

Psalm 5:10 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 22 helpful votes

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Ephesians 5:11 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Proverbs 19:1-29 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord. Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. ...

Acts 20:29-30 ESV / 16 helpful votes

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Matthew 26:14-16 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Jeremiah 23:32 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.

Proverbs 14:12 ESV / 16 helpful votes

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Job 42:7-8 ESV / 16 helpful votes

After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”

2 Chronicles 22:3-5 ESV / 16 helpful votes

He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done. For after the death of his father they were his counselors, to his undoing. He even followed their counsel and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to make war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead. And the Syrians wounded Joram,

Romans 12:2 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 25:19 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

Psalm 1:1-3 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 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 streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Acts 20:30 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Proverbs 25:5 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

Genesis 3:1-24 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ...

Proverbs 19:27 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

1 Kings 12:6-11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father's thighs. ...

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

James 1:1-27 ESV / 10 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

Romans 8:28 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 26:24-26 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Revelation 3:20 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Romans 8:1-39 ESV / 9 helpful votes

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ...

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

1 Kings 12:8-10 ESV / 9 helpful votes

But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father's thighs.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Romans 10:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Matthew 15:14 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Matthew 7:15-16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Isaiah 30:1 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;

Proverbs 18:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 18:1-2 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 16:22 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 1:10-15 ESV / 8 helpful votes

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— ...

Psalm 33:10-11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

Psalm 16:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Job 42:7-9 ESV / 8 helpful votes

After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the Lord had told them, and the Lord accepted Job's prayer.

2 Chronicles 10:8 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.

1 Kings 12:8-15 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father's thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’” So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king said, “Come to me again the third day.” ...

2 Samuel 16:23 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 6 helpful votes

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Galatians 5:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Proverbs 20:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

Luke 24:47 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Jude 1:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;

1 John 4:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

James 4:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

1 Timothy 4:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

John 3:1-36 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

Luke 12:13-15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 5:32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Matthew 28:1-20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ...

Matthew 15:12-14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Matthew 7:15-20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ...

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Micah 6:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For you have kept the statutes of Omri, and all the works of the house of Ahab; and you have walked in their counsels, that I may make you a desolation, and your inhabitants a hissing; so you shall bear the scorn of my people.”

Micah 3:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.

Hosea 4:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Isaiah 47:10-11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

You felt secure in your wickedness; you said, “No one sees me”; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away; disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone; and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing.

Isaiah 9:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The elder and honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail;

Isaiah 9:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Ecclesiastes 10:1-3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left. Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

Ecclesiastes 4:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.

Proverbs 26:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

Proverbs 22:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Proverbs 16:25 ESV / 4 helpful votes

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 10:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

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