- (AMP) For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety.
- Proverbs 26:12 (MSG) See that man who thinks he's so smart? You can expect far more from a fool than from him.
- Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms
Wise Counsel. Many counselors. This is one of several times that the writers of Proverbs have suggested that going it alone is not the way God created us.
What I found interesting was the Peterson translation as his thought that "wise counsel" was the same as strategic planning. I think not: certainly a good strategic planning process must include collaboration from many sources in the firm; however, strategic planning is far more than just wise guidance and seeking counsel from others. Strategic planning includes the understanding of the values that shape your purpose and your mission. It has as a foundation not only the clear understanding of your strengths (competencies); weaknesses (constraints within the firm); opportunities (open doors); and, threats (impediments to your success from outside the firm). The list of these is only the beginning of the process: strategy begins to emerge when you match your competencies with the open doors and the impediments and begin to understand what the market provides and what alliances, mergers, acquisitions or just plain capital might be needed to overcome impediments. I don't think that's what this verse addresses.
But you might say, it really does not apply to me for I'm not "going to war" either in a military sense or in a metaphorical sense in the competitive environment. I'm thinking that thought is dangerous. Believers so easily forget (well, I know at least that I do!) that we are living in enemy territory (Earth) and that we are engaged in a war that is beyond our understanding.
It is this war that demands community - counsel from others of like mind and consideration of what God has to say. We must never forget that our Creator has promised us not only ultimate victory, but also present victory, if we fight the battles His way. And His way involves others. We are not called to be autonomous in our faith. It is a lie that "religion" is personal: it is something that if lived out with all our spiritual battle gear on (see Ephesians) we are so attractive that those not dressed for "battle" will want what we have. Now, the dressing for battle is something that takes both personal initiative and community support. That's why "wise guidance" is so vital. Sometimes we "think" we are dressed for battle, but those close to us see that we are really "naked."
Are you properly dressed and ready for battle?
Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell
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