Every Purpose Established by Counsel - Proverbs 20:18

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel”, and in chapter twenty and verse eighteen of Proverbs Solomon said, “every purpose is established by counsel” where we read,

Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

The verse begins, “Every purpose is established by counsel:” Solomon began with the words, “every purpose is established” or “each, the whole, all and everyone of the thoughts, devices, plans and inventions exist as fixed, set in place, made firm and secure” “by counsel” which means “through the means of advice, purpose and prudence”. Solomonshared how each thought, plan and invention is set in place and made secure through the means of advice and prudence. 

The verse continues, “and with good advice make war.” Solomon added the words, “and with good advice” or “and by the means of pleasant and agreeable direction, guidance and wide counsel” “make war” which means “fashion, accomplish and produce fighting and battles”. Solomon said pleasant and agreeable direction and guidance produce battles and fighting. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how the thoughts and ideas of people are set in place and made firm by advice and prudence, and agreeable direction and guidance are necessary to have effective fighting in battles. Not only do ideas and “wars” exist upon the earth, they also exist within the spiritual world. (See Ephesians 6:12) God wants to defeat the influence and power of Satan who is at war with us. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to establish our plans according to wise prudence and counsel that causes us to be victorious in physical and spiritual battles. 

Next time Solomon says, “he that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".