(Prov 24:3-7 GNB) It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies. It’s better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel. Wise conversation is way over the head of fools; in a serious discussion they haven’t a clue.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” This is part two of 23rd Saying: Descriptions of Wisdom’s Importance. I broke this up into three parts: the home, the battlefield, and leading. Yesterday we dealt with the home and today we will discuss the battlefield. Solomon gives us two powerful statements concerning battlefield operations, so let’s look at each:
1. It’s better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. The “Powell Doctrine,” a term named after General Colin Powell, is a military doctrine that requires the exhausting of all political, economic, and diplomatic means, and only if those means prove to be futile, should a nation resort to military force. But once the decision is made to use military force and a nation is engaging in war, the Powell Doctrine requires asserting every resource and tool to achieve decisive force against the enemy, minimizing US casualties and ending the conflict quickly by forcing the weaker force to capitulate. I want to highlight two things about the Powell Doctrine that relate to this verse. First, Colin Powell was clearly an advocate of using wisdom before muscle, ensuring that every diplomatic path was exhausted before using muscle. Second, once the decision was made to use force and an overwhelming force was brought in, even the Powell Doctrine cannot shield the leadership from the ramifications of bad intelligence. Poor intelligence can lead to failure, no matter how much brute force you have at your disposal.
2. Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel. Another translation reads: “So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers.” I recently finished reading President George W. Bush’s book “Decision Points.” I enjoyed the book and I appreciate how he documented the process he took to make key and important decisions; possibly none greater than the decision to go to war. Like Colin Powell taught, war should be a last resort and as Solomon explains, the decision to go to war should not be made lightly and it should not be made in a vacuum. While the ultimate decision is reserved for the leader (no question), and Solomon was a leader who had to make important decisions (like whether or not to go to war), Solomon understood the benefit of surrounding yourself with the right people; people who will equip you to make informed decisions. Earlier in Proverbs Solomon said, “There is safety in having many advisers” (11:14).
So what does this mean to you today? Two things:
1. We are in a spiritual war. You did not have to make a decision to go to war (spiritually), you were born in the middle of it. In this war divine wisdom is key. If you have divine wisdom you will be able to withstand and overcome the attacks of the enemy, no matter overwhelming they seem.
2. Surround yourself with the right people. While we already know who wins the war, because we read the end of the book, if you want to win the battles of life you must surround yourself with the right people. Spirit-led counsel leads to a victorious life!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this Word. I know I am in the middle of a spiritual war that has been raging for thousands of years. I also know how the war ends, because I read the end of the book. I know I am on the winning side. But I also realize that I have a say in how my battles play out. I surround myself with the right people—Godly people, divinely inspired people—so that I receive the counsel I need to make informed decisions that lead to daily victory. I declare, by faith, that I have the wisdom of God for my daily affairs; I overcome every challenge the enemy brings my way; I experience supernatural success in every area of my life; and I WIN time and time again because You God are on my side! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
