Proverbs 20:18 “Make plans by seeking advice, if you wage war, obtain guidance.”
A few years ago I had a revelation.
It was simple, like me.
Basically, it was God saying “listen to old people.” Well, at least that is how I heard it. I took it to mean, that if I wanted to survive life, family, and ministry, that I should listen to people who have been there before me. So, I listen to old people. I like to learn from them so that I don’t have to mess up the way that they did.
Now, not just any old people. Successful old people mostly. Why? I think that gray hair does not automatically make someone legit. There are old fools. I know some, and you probably do as well. You might want to listen for a few minutes to an old fool because then you can learn what path not to take.
But this verse reminds me that there is wisdom in gray hair. I want to be a guy who seeks advice. That is evident in my life as I have at least 3 people mentoring me that I can run to when necessary. None of which are fly by night people who have skirted by on other peoples coattails.
So, seek advice. That’s the first part.
Obtain guidance before you wage war. Notice that he does not say “don’t wage war” but that he says we should seek the gray hairs to find out if waging that war is prudent at this juncture.
So, wage war on sin, but find out what it actually costs before you do it. Leave your addiction, but find out what it takes before you try to do that.
Do what it takes knowing that it will take guidance.
There is much more to say, but I need to wage war on my to-do list.
