Proverbs 24:5-6. 5A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, 6for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
In ancient times only a very foolish king would go to war without talking to his trusted counselors. Might without wisdom is still doomed to failure. History supports this principle. Larger, more advanced armies have lost battles and wars because of foolish planning. This same truth applies to us in spiritual warfare. None of us can survive the schemes of the Devil without wise counsel (good advice).
Wise is the key word. It’s not just that we need an abundance of counselors. Many bad counselors is still bad counsel. We need counselors that are wise. In the context of spiritual warfare this means having counsel from those who fear the Lord and follow Christ. Wisdom is the fear of the Lord. It is trusting him with our whole heart. Therefore, wise counsel is that which points our hearts back toward God, back toward Jesus, back toward the cruciform life.
Many Christians still think they can go it alone, living like a spiritual Rambo. Waging a one-man war against Satan. Taking his arrows to the heart with no idea how to quench his fiery darts. Or worse yet, many believers are oblivious to the fact that they are even under attack. The Devil is not waging frontal attacks on our faith, his is an espionage game meant to turn us from our faith ever so slowly through his half-truths and false gospels.
2 Corinthians 2:11. so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
There is a very real danger that we can be outwitted by Satan and his designs. His schemes. Trust me, Satan has a plan of attack for you. He and his counselors have outlined exactly how to get you to fall. They are working a strategy right now, today, a strategy to bring you down. To discourage you. To dull your heart. To diminish your faith. To destroy your testimony.
And notice the WE. We are not ignorant of his designs. As a group, as a community, as a church, as a spiritual army standing in the faith of Christ THEY (plural) are no longer ignorant of the schemes of the Devil. They’ve talked about his designs. They’ve strategized against his lies. They’ve counseled one another in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Who are your spiritual counselors? Who offers you guidance back to the cross of Christ? Who speaks truth into your life? Who is your armor bearer, dressing you for spiritual battle with the armor of Christ? Who enhances your might by reminding you of who you are in Christ?
Anyone?
Or are you trying to fight the most dangerous enemy in the universe by yourself, without an abundance of godly counselors, without the church, even without reliance upon the Spirit of Christ in you? Such fleshliness makes you a fool, but in Christ you are no longer a fool, but wise. Christ in you is the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.
In Christ means in the body of Christ. Yes, the Spirit is at work in you individually, but never apart from the wise guidance of the church community.
You: Who are your wise counselors? Do they point you to Christ and the cross?
You in Christ: If we are in Christ, why do we still need other believers to help us and guide us?
Christ in you: Make an effort to find wise, godly, Christ-like counselors that will always point your heart and mind back to Christ. A Church. A small group. Good spiritual friends.
Pray: Father, surround me with an abundance of wise and godly counselors that will point me back to the gospel of Jesus time and time again. Amen.
To Live is Christ 