A Multitude of Counsellors

Proverbs 11:14b, 15:22b, 24:6b

…but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

…but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

…and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

No one really wants to go it alone, but it seems like we do it a lot, don’t we?  We get an idea that turns into a plan, that turns into an action, and before we know it, we are in over our head doing our best to tread water.  If you’ve ever been there, you know that’s exhausting.  Trying to keep your head above water is a stagnant state.  There can be no progress because all of your focus is on breathing in and out.  Our lives do not have to be lived like this.  God doesn’t want us to live like this.  That’s why He gave us counsellors.  They are for our direction, our protection, and for our overall contentment.  First of all, I want to give you several thoughts about counsel.

1. All wise counsel comes from God.
2. God puts the right counsellors in our lives.
3. His counsellors are not always going to say what we want to hear.
4. If we only listen to those who agree with us, we are not using the gift of wise counsel that God has given us.

Let’s break down these three verses in Proverbs and see the importance of a multitude of counsellors.

1. Destruction or Security – Proverbs 11:14
   Where no counsel is, the people fall:
   but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
   In this verse, the word counsel has to do with a helmsman.  If there is no counsel, a person, or a group of people, will be like a ship at sea with no one at the helm guiding it through the waves.  A ship like that will surely be destroyed.  But in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety.
2. Disappointment or Strength – Proverbs 15:22
   Without counsel purposes are disappointed:
   but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
   Here, the word purposes has to do with intentions and thoughts.  How many times have we thought an idea or a plan was great because we thought of it?  Be honest.  I know I’ve held on to a few much longer than I should because of that reason.  We should not act without knowing all the facts.  We should not be afraid of a second opinion even when it is different from ours.  We should evaluate other points of view and weigh all the evidence.  This does not guarantee we will never make a bad decision, but it will let us make an honest mistake when we do.  Our purposes should be for God’s glory and we should be confident and strong in them.  A multitude of counsellors will help us accomplish this.
3. Defeat or Safety – Proverbs 24:6
   For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war:
   and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
   War is usually thought of in terms of winning and losing.  No national leader wants to lose a war, therefore he must make a wise decision based upon the advice of many counsellors.  A poor decision almost certainly leads to defeat.  The same is true in our Christian life.  We do not have to live defeated.  God wants us to be victorious.  In order to achieve victory, we must listen to the multitude of counsellors He has placed in our lives.  The safest place we can be is in the center of God’s will.  His best far exceeds our desires.

Fortunately, I was taught this principle by seasoned men of God as a very young preacher.  They were determined that I would not end up being a proud stubborn pastor who refused to let go of his ideas and plans.  God will use His people to speak to us and guide us in His will.  Remember this blessing.  Not only does God counsel us, He also places a multitude of counsellors around us for guidance and safety.

photo credit: Pastor Shane