READING: Proverbs 24-26
God gives us relationships for many reasons. Via marriage, He grants us opportunity to show His love to the world as we husbands love our wives. It is also in the relationship of marriage that we have children, the next generation of witnesses to the gospel. Brothers and sisters in Christ model faith for us, hold us accountable to holiness, and pick us up when we fall. Church leaders challenge and push us toward being more like Jesus. For many of us, God has given us a personal mentor who loves us, walks beside us, and guards us. It’s through people that God grows us.
As we think about spiritual warfare in our readings this year, I’m reminded that God also gives us fellow believers to fight the battles with us. While today’s reading does not speak specifically about spiritual warfare, this text speaks to many areas of our life (including spiritual conflict): “Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisors” (Prov 24:6). You see, none of us is wise enough and spiritual enough to fight and win battles on our won; in fact, we most often get into trouble spiritually because we face the enemy alone.
Because God didn’t design us to be loners, we’re most vulnerable to the enemy’s attack when we fight without the support of others. Thus, we most often lose when we try to overcome sin without confessing that sin to somebody. Our relationships flounder when we carry burdens alone and choose not to share with our spouse or family. We live in defeat when we walk by ourselves and ignore the advice of brothers and sisters God has placed in our lives. More specifically, most of us are most susceptible to temptation when we fight alone.
So, the enemy watches for our “alone time” to attack. If you want to win these battles, make sure you’re seeking the advice, prayer, and accountability of other warriors who will fight beside you.
ACTION STEPS:
- Gauge your tendency to fight alone. On a scale of 1-10 (with 1=always alone and 10=never alone), determine where you most often find yourself. If you fight alone, make plans to change that tendency.
- Take time to pray a specific prayer today thanking God for the advisors, mentors, and friends He has given you. Pray by name for each one.
PRAYER: “Thank You, Lord, for the ‘advisors’ who walk beside me in life. Help me to walk with someone else in the same role.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Proverbs 27-29
