Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. – Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established. – Proverbs 15:22 (KJV)

52 Proverbs in 52 Weeks – Week 48
This week’s theme:  God’s Life Hacks, simple Biblical truths to increase the fruitfulness and happiness of our lives.

God’s Life Hack:  Seek Advice

Last week’s verse encouraged us to seek knowledge (see Week 47).  This week Proverbs 15:22 reminds us that we should also seek advice…

Solomon was king over all of Israel and God’s Word tells us he was “wiser than all men” (see Week 1 and 1 Kings 4:31), yet even he recognized the importance of seeking out wise advice and counsel from others.  So much so that he made it a recurring theme in Proverbs:
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. – Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)
Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers. – Proverbs 24:6 (NIV)
Plans are established by seeking advice… – Proverbs 20:18 (NIV)

Solomon’s focus was guiding the nation of Israel, but this principle applies just as strongly to the important decisions we face from day to day.  Where should I go to college?  What should I study?  How should I manage my finances?  Where should I go to church?  Should I take a job or change jobs?  Should I date someone or get married?  … and the list goes on.  As we make such plans for the future we must remember Proverbs 15:22:
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
In other words,  before we make major decisions we should seek out Godly advice from people we trust. If the wisest man on earth needed good advice for his plans to succeed, we probably do too.

As a closing note, seeking Godly advice is only half of the solution.  We must also listen to that advice with open hearts and minds.  What use is good advice if we don’t take it?  Remember Teachable Hearts from Week 5…those with them “will be counted among the wise.”

Here’s a link to more verse posts on  God’s Life Hacks.

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