Proverbs - Drawing Out Hearts

Proverbs 20:5

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;

 but a man of understanding will draw it out.

To be a good friend we should consider the heart of the one we love.  Here, the Lord is telling us that within the heart of man, He puts His counsel deep within it.  The heart is likened unto a well and if we are women of understanding we should consider drawing counsel out as if we were at a well drawing water.  To draw water requires an empty container being lowered to the depth of the water level.  We must not come at our friends with advice before we probe with an open heart and mind to a depth beyond which they are operating.  The lowering involves humility and teach-ability.  Asking people open-ended questions inviting them to listen to the counsel of the Lord is one of the best ways to help them grow in their ability to hear the Lord and follow Him.  If Christ dwells in their hearts by faith, then He is there as their Wonderful Counselor and is speaking to them.  Sometimes people just have too much muck sitting on top of the water of their hearts and we need to help them go deeper to the voice they can trust.  Being a good friend is helping another person tune in to the Lord, hear Him and obey Him.  The next time someone comes to us for advice, picture yourself with an open bucket lowering it deep in their hearts seeking to draw out the counsel that the Lord is putting there.