Wartime Consigliere

The wisdom of Hollywood is an oxymoron, but they tell great stories. In every story, whether it is documentary, fiction, fantasy, comedy or sci-fi there is a grain of truth to take away. The Godfather, produced in 1972 contains many of those pearls. ‘I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse’…’Never tell anyone outside the family what you’re thinking’…and for the purpose of this discussion, ‘You’re not a wartime consigliere, Tom.’

Since the spring of 2020 there has been greater than a 50% increase in the demand for counselors and therapists leading to an all-time high. The need for advice and guidance is as old as time itself. President’s have a cabinet of advisors ranging from domestic and foreign affairs to economic and environmental issues. Doctors give advice ranging from your skin and eyes to internal organs, bones and mental health. Advice comes in many forms and from various sources because ‘Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.’ Proverbs 12:15.

Where we seek and accept counsel is what the Godfather was talking about. We seek specific counsel depending on the immediate need and the need changed for the Godfather. Michael Corleone told a proven and trusted counselor he needed NEW counsel because ‘things may get rough with the move we’re trying.’ When things move, shift and change it’s critical to make sure the counsel you’ve received in the past is appropriate for what you’re dealing with now. Specifically, things get rough when you’re at war, in a battle.

Three years ago not many people recognized the frontal assault against truth, freedom and mankind. Today many of the initial C-19 conspiracy theories are proven fact and in your face. Now the headlines read, World War III…Spy Balloons Cross the United States…Toxic Mushroom Clouds Over Ohio…Chemical Fallout Kills Animals and Fish By The Thousands. The changes being made include many countries around the world re-instituting a military draft AND increasing the draft age. If you can’t see the changes and what they will bring, evaluate where you get counsel and plan accordingly.

‘Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.’ Proverbs 20:18. Although China has increased the draft age to 60 most folks above 35 don’t see themselves as ever actively waging war. Boomers and Gen X have historically sought advice and formed opinions on world issues from the mainstream media, their circle of friends and their church. Gen Y and Z recognize the failure and incompetence of the media and they don’t attend church that often. The younger generations tend be more myopic leading them to neglect counsel that isn’t confirmation biased to their immediate opinions, circumstances and needs. The climate is ripe for misinformation and bad counsel.

Historically the church has been the leading advocate for counsel and advice as revealed in the Bible. The Bible is the counsel of God that includes advice for every changing situation since the beginning of time. ALL scripture from Genesis to Revelation is God’s full counsel that ‘is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.’ 2 Timothy 3:16. In other words, we need to know and live by ALL scripture and not ignore the parts that target our lifestyles and choices in 2023.

The modern church often chooses to focus on Christ’s gospel of love and not the FULL gospel of God. This was apparent when RVW brought abortion front and center. Many preached free will not repentance. The full counsel of God says our bodies are not our own and that HE knits a person together while they are still ‘unborn’. Some pastors think these verses are too offensive and limit the inclusion of everyone.

The battle has always been against God and his Word. In the beginning, Satan wanted Adam and Eve to ignore one or two words. God said mankind would ‘certainly die’ and we know what happened next. In the 70’s the front line against God’s word was abortion. Many focused on ‘free will’ while ignoring ‘whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Sixty million abortions later…

Today, the battlefront is a lifestyle choice. The full gospel/counsel includes what some popular preachers want to ignore and call the ‘clobber’ scriptures like 1 Corinthians 6…’Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolators nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.’ If these folks don’t inherit the Kingdom of God you might ask, who else is there?

If this counsel offends and excludes you or someone you know remember, Jesus is a savior AND a wartime consigliere. He knows the war for your soul is through the mind and His mental health counseling is measured with truth and not opinion. It’s not popular counsel to say that you must submit to God and ‘anyone who takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city…’ Truth is not always inclusive. When you choose anyone other than Him, Jesus said, “‘Anyone who loves their father and mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”‘ Matthew 10:37.

No man is an island and the climate change is towards more counseling not less. More counsel can present a real paradox of choice and lead to not accepting any advice. The faith and survival of the next generation hinges on the full counsel of Truth, God’s truth. The full counsel of God says EVERYONE is loved and welcomed in His Kingdom. This counsel also reminds us “‘small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.'” Biblical counsel recommends repentance and is radically different from a lifestyle of self indulgence.

The counsel of God doesn’t always build a mega practice, or congregation. But, the full counsel of God includes the Old Testament where God looks for one righteous person, a remnant to follow Him. Multitudes can see ‘..our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’….but will multitudes heed this counsel?

Michael Corleone knew it, so should you. Things are getting rough with the moves being tried in the world. NOW is the time to make sure your counsel is the FULL Biblical counsel from a wartime consigliere. ‘Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors’ Psalm 119:24.