Proverbs 24:6

This verse comes from the book of Proverbs, a collection of ancient wisdom sayings written largely during the era of Israel's kings. Using the image of military strategy, it makes a broader point about decision-making: even generals and rulers shouldn't trust only their own judgment. In the ancient Near East, going into battle without consulting experienced advisers was considered reckless and often fatal. The writer is saying that wisdom — not just courage or raw confidence — determines outcomes. The principle reaches far beyond warfare: any high-stakes decision calls for multiple perspectives, not just your own.

Lord, forgive me for the times I've trusted my own thinking above all else. Give me the humility to invite wisdom in, and the discernment to know whose voice deserves real weight. Surround me with people courageous enough to tell me what I need to hear, not just what I want to. Amen.

There's a quiet arrogance in going it alone — and most of us have done it. We've made the big move, the risky investment, the relationship decision without asking anyone, because asking felt like weakness or because we already knew what they'd say. The ancient wisdom writer was watching generals march armies into disaster because one proud man refused to listen. The battlefield is just a vivid stage for something that plays out in offices, marriages, and family kitchens every single day. Here's the honest question this verse puts to you: who are the advisers in your life? Not yes-people who confirm what you already think, but people whose perspective genuinely challenges you — people who care more about your good than your comfort. Wisdom isn't built in isolation. Before your next significant decision, try something uncomfortable: deliberately seek out someone who might see it completely differently than you do. Not to hand over your decision, but to stress-test it.