IN THE MULTITUDE OF COUNSELORS THERE IS SAFETY.

Greetings in the mighty and powerful name of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are welcome as we study the Word of God, which is our very life.

God has many ways of speaking to us. He can speak through revelation of the Spirit, through His Word, through visions, or even through nature and life events. But it is not always that God gives answers through those ways no matter how spiritual you may be. There is yet another way God often uses, and if we do not understand it well, we risk losing much, or even going astray altogether. That way is through our counsel with one another when we come together in unity.

Let’s consider these Scriptures:

Proverbs 11:14

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”

What does this mean? It shows that when a nation rejects input, ideas, and counsel from its people, it cannot prosper.

The Bible also says:

Proverbs 15:22

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Proverbs 24:6

“Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.”

What does this mean? It shows that in times of war, the wisdom of many soldiers is needed to strategize against the enemy. One says this, another says that and together they form a strong, united plan that brings victory. But if the strategy comes only from one person, even if he is the commander, the army will be weak and will likely suffer defeat.

Amen.

This is very important for us as Christians. When the Lord Jesus prayed that we would be united as one, He knew that through this unity, God would provide answers to many matters without us always waiting for visions or revelations.

You may ask, Where do we see this in the New Testament church?

Remember when Paul and Barnabas were preaching to the Gentiles, some Jews came and told the Gentile believers, “Unless you are circumcised, you cannot be saved.” This caused great confusion. Paul and Barnabas had to return to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders.

When they arrived, Peter and the elders called a council to discuss the matter: Should the Gentiles be circumcised and required to keep the Law of Moses, or not? Scripture tells us they debated the matter thoroughly. One spoke this way, another spoke that way but in love and peace, not in strife. Eventually, the Spirit of wisdom guided them to a firm decision. And through this united counsel, the Gentile church was greatly strengthened by the letter they sent, and they continued to walk in the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read part of this together:

Acts 15:7–9, 13–16

“After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.’ …

“When they finished, James spoke up. ‘Brothers,’ he said, ‘listen to me. Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: “After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it.”’

(Read the full account in Acts 15 when you have time.)

What Does the Lord Want Us to Learn as the Church?

We must learn to sometimes engage in many discussions, many suggestions, and many ideas but always in love and peace so that the church may be built up and the gospel may be preached with full clarity. As we read earlier: “Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.”

We cannot overcome Satan without constant strategies, plans, and cooperation. Every member of the body of Christ has a role to contribute wise counsel. Let us therefore learn this way, so that God may speak through us. But if we lack agreement, Scripture warns us: “A nation falls for lack of guidance.”