Proverbs 15:22
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Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
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A sure rule for success in life is to submit decisions to the review of wise counselors. King Solomon, seeking to prepare his son to govern Israel, repeated this axiom several times in his manual of wisdom (11:14; 20:18; 24:6). He knew that many factors could distort a man's decision making, especially when he is personally involved in the matter.
People make plans - to get married, change jobs, respond to an enemy, go back to school, buy a house, find a new church, teach children at home, invest in a business, etc. If you push ahead without using wise friends who are not emotionally involved to criticize your ideas, you will be disappointed. But if you humbly allow knowledgeable acquaintances to review your plans, you can settle on a sure course for your life.
This rule for success is basic and simple. Why do most ignore it? They are too proud to ask anyone else (26:12,16). They do not want to hear any negative criticism (18:17). They are too impatient (19:2). They are already committed, and it is too humbling to turn back. They do not have any wise counselors. They have bad decision-making habits.
When you plan for yourself or family, you are already biased toward your conclusion. You are emotionally involved, and you are not seeing clearly. Your desires, experiences, knowledge, circumstances, and other factors distort your perception of reality. You do not see the danger or weaknesses as easily as will a disinterested third party.
To apply this rule, you need wise counselors. Most men cannot be counselors. You need knowledgeable, insightful, sober, and critical persons. Why settle for less? Because you can easily persuade them? You want negative persons, who see dangers in everything, because you are already positive enough, or you would not be considering the matter!
You need more than one counselor. Safety and success depend on the multiplied wisdom of many counselors. It takes more humility and time to consult several counselors, but the benefits gained cannot be appreciated, until you have been burned a few times by your own decisions. King Ahasuerus of Persia wisely trusted seven men to guide him in a matter of passion (Esther 1:10-22). God gave you royal advice by inspiring Solomon.
You must then put everything on the table with your counselors. You cannot hold back aspects of your proposal you know are weak or wrong. You must come totally clean with them. And you must listen and follow their advice. This is not an empty exercise in merely discussing ideas: the purpose is to get an answer. You must accept their judgment.
What men are useful for such counsel? Men that fear God and know His word can help, for there is no light in unbelievers (Is 8:20). The children of this world are wise in earthly matters only, like picking a heat pump manufacturer (Luke 16:8). Any decision affecting your heart, your walk with God, morality, or a Bible subject, even if loosely connected, requires faithful and sober Christians, for they only have true wisdom (1:7; 9:10).
You can become such a counselor by learning the Bible. Just the book of Proverbs has much wisdom to save men from foolish decisions involving business ethics, child training, communication, friends, investment scams, marriage, money, speech, whores, wine, work ethics, and many other subjects. Scripture can make simple men wise, and it is your duty and privilege to learn it (22:17-21; Ps 19:7; 119:130).
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