This week I want to encourage you by sharing one of the ways you can deny satan and demonic spirits access in your hearts and homes. This is one of God’s promises for you and a powerful key to guiding our families to victory.
Proverbs 15:22 (NIV) says - Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
What a marvelous and simple word of wisdom, but it is a major way we can avoid some serious pitfalls. Make the decision to begin to take council and seek advisers. However, seek the council and advice, not only from people who have failed like you may have failed, but also from those who have been successful in the areas where you are weak.
Too many people are willing to listen only to other people who are on the sinking Titanic with them. They feel that because another person is going through the same thing that they’re going through, that they can better relate to them. Even though it’s true that they can better understand what you’re going through, it doesn't mean they can help you get through it. There are some trials that are so complex that it takes more than just talking to someone who understands you. Sometimes you need someone who can really HELP you.
As a couple with a successful marriage, we have encountered many people who felt that since we didn't fight, separate or go through the pain of adultery, that we didn't have much to offer them. They felt that only leaders who had been through exactly what they have been through, could effectively speak into their lives.
Through the years, we have responded with some food for thought. If you can only connect with someone who has gone through exactly what you have gone through, then why follow Jesus? He wasn’t married, so why listen to Him?
He wasn’t divorced, so why listen to Him? He didn’t get high or have a problem with drinking, so why listen to Him? Jesus didn’t have a problem with lust and chasing women, so why listen to Him? Jesus didn’t have emotional problems so why listen to Him? Jesus didn’t struggle with self-esteem and lack of confidence, so why listen to Him?
If someone has to be in the same boat that we’re in, in order for us to listen to them, then we’re going to suffer a lot longer before we get the point and get healed and set free. And the point is that eventually you and I had better get on board with someone whose boat is not sinking.
We turn to Jesus, even though He didn’t experience failure like us, because He loves us, died for us, and we know that we can overcome, because He overcame sin, death, hell and the grave. He has been touched with the FEELINGS of our infirmities, even though He didn’t fall into the same sins and downfalls we have experienced.
So what is the lesson of wisdom?
If you want a successful marriage, talk to someone who has a successful marriage. If you want a successful business, talk to someone who has a successful business. If you want to be a successful parent, talk to successful parents. If you want to be a success, then talk to someone who is doing something and doing it well.
In other words, connect with success so that success can connect with you. Don’t restrict your questions and conversation only to the people who are struggling just like you.
Always remember that your plans will fail for lack of council, but with many advisers the plans will succeed.
