Victory Day Thirty-Four: Seek Counsel Before Going to War

The wise are mightier than the strong,

    and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.

So don’t go to war without wise guidance;

    victory depends on having many advisers.

 Prov. 24:5-6, NLT

 

My parents are top on my list of advisors

My husband, full of wisdom and experience



Many wars throughout history could have ended differently if those in command had consulted wise counselors before heading into the fray. They might have reconsidered a few important factors:

• Can we sustain this war as long as necessary?
• Do our troops believe in what we’re doing?      
• Can our weapons compete with the enemy’s
• Are we prepared for the weather and terrain?    
• Is this the right time to attack?    
•  Is this the right place to attack?

 

We know for certain that good will be at war against evil until Jesus returns as King. But there are a lot of variables until then about when, where, and how we should fight. It can get a little confusing sometimes. That’s why God not only instructs us to seek His wisdom for each situation, but also the counsel of godly men and women. When we barrel ahead doing whatever we think is right, we can blunder into situations we’re not prepared to handle, or spend our energy unnecessarily, leaving us too exhausted to face the real threats. Believe me, I know from experience.

My sister and counselor

 

“Two heads are better than one” is true, but only if the other heads have more insight or perspective on the situation than you do. If all they know is what you know, then you’re basically just asking yourself what you want to do and agreeing with yourself about it. Better to choose someone who has more training and experience, more knowledge, an unbiased opinion. Look around for those who have nothing to gain from your decision; those whose greatest desire is to do God’s will, who exude the presence and fruit of the Holy Spirit.  

My sister and counselor

This applies when getting advice about marriage, parenting, addiction recovery, business, investments, friendship, and more. Many of the famous battle blunders throughout history have occurred because of pride. One or more commanders thought they knew how best to win the war and didn’t bother to ask anyone else for input. The results were tragic loss of life, wasted effort and resources, and prolonged war and suffering.



I have a couple “war efforts” on my doorstep right now that I’ve been praying about, but still have no clear direction about what God would have me do. These verses have been the reminder I needed that it’s time to look for godly counselors, prayer warriors, and those experienced in these fields. I am so thankful we do not have to live the Christian life alone; there is help available for those willing to seek it.