Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Importance: In the biblical context, advice refers to guidance or recommendations offered with the intent of helping someone make a decision or solve a problem. The Bible places significant emphasis on the value of wise counsel, underscoring the importance of seeking and heeding advice that aligns with God's will.
Biblical Examples and Teachings:
1.
The Value of Wise Counsel: The Bible frequently highlights the importance of seeking wise advice.
Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." This verse underscores the protective and stabilizing effect of receiving counsel from multiple sources.
2.
Godly Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom: The Scriptures differentiate between godly wisdom and worldly wisdom.
James 3:17 describes godly wisdom as "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere." Believers are encouraged to seek advice that reflects these qualities.
3.
The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers.
John 14:26 states, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." The Holy Spirit provides divine guidance and wisdom, supplementing human advice.
4.
Examples of Wise Counsel in Scripture:
·
Jethro and Moses: In
Exodus 18, Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, advises Moses to delegate responsibilities to capable men to avoid burnout. Moses heeds this advice, demonstrating the value of practical and wise counsel.
·
Rehoboam's Folly: In
1 Kings 12, King Rehoboam rejects the advice of the elders and follows the counsel of his peers, leading to disastrous consequences. This narrative illustrates the dangers of ignoring seasoned and wise advice.
5.
Seeking Advice from God: Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance in all matters.
James 1:5 assures, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Prayer and Scripture study are vital means of receiving divine advice.
6.
The Counsel of Friends:
Proverbs 27:9 states, "Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul." This highlights the value of friendships rooted in mutual respect and godly wisdom, where advice is given and received in love.
7.
Warnings Against Ungodly Counsel:
Psalm 1:1 warns against following the advice of the wicked: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." Believers are cautioned to discern the source and nature of the advice they receive.
Practical Application: In daily life, Christians are encouraged to seek advice that aligns with biblical principles, to pray for discernment, and to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The counsel of mature believers, pastors, and trusted friends can be invaluable, provided it is consistent with Scripture.
Topical Bible Verses
Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Topicalbible.orgProverbs 21:20
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.
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Ephesians 6:4
And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
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2 Samuel 17:23
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and got him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulcher of his father.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An opinion recommended or offered, as worthy to be followed; counsel.
2. (n.) Deliberate consideration; knowledge.
3. (n.) Information or notice given; intelligence; as, late advices from France; -- commonly in the plural.
4. (n.) Counseling to perform a specific illegal act.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ADVICE; ADVISE; ADVISEMENTad-vis', ad-viz', ad-viz'-ment: Aside from their regular meaning these words are peculiarly employed as follows:
(1) Advice' In2 Samuel 19:43 (from, dabhar, "word") the meaning is equal to "request" (the Revised Version, margin "were we not the first to speak of bringing back"). In1 Samuel 25:33 the King James Version (from, Ta`am, "taste," "reason") "advice" is equal to "sagacity" (the Revised Version (British and American) "blessed be thy discretion"). In2 Chronicles 25:17 (from ya`ac, "to give or take counsel") the meaning seems to be "to consult with oneself"; compare alsoJudges 19:30 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "take counsel").
(2) Advise: In2 Samuel 24:13 the King James Version (from yadha, "to know") "to advise" means "to advise oneself," i.e. "to consider" (the Revised Version (British and American) "advise thee") Compare also1 Chronicles 21:12 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "consider" from, ra'ah, "to see") andProverbs 13:10 where "well-advised" is the same as "considerate" (from ya`ac; see2 Chronicles 25:17).
(3) Advisement (antiquated): Found once in the Old Testament in1 Chronicles 12:19 (from `etsah, "counsel"), where "upon advisement" means "upon deliberation." Compare 2Maccabees 14:20 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "when these proposals had been long considered").
A. L. Breslich
Greek
3980. peitharcheo -- to obey authority... peitharcheo Phonetic Spelling: (pi-tharkh-eh'-o) Short Definition: I obey one in
authority Definition: I obey one in authority, conform to
advice, obey, follow
...4823. sumbouleuo -- to take counsel together, advise
... counsel together, advise. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sumbouleuo Phonetic
Spelling: (soom-bool-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I giveadvice Definition: I...
4824. sumboulion -- counsel, by impl. a council
... a council. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: sumboulion Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-boo'-lee-on) Short Definition: a council,advice Definition: (a) a...
1106. gnome -- purpose, opinion, consent, decision
... purpose (3).advice, judgment, mind, purpose, will. From ginosko; cognition,
ie (subjectively) opinion, or (objectively) resolve...
1012. boule -- counsel
... advise, counsel. From boulomai; volition, ie (objectively)advice, or (by implication)
purpose -- + advise, counsel, will. see GREEK boulomai....
3982. peitho -- to persuade, to have confidence
... persuaded (8), persuading (1), put...trust (1), put confidence (1), put...confidence
(1), relied (1), seeking the favor (1), sure (2), took...advice (1), trust...
Strong's Hebrew
6098. etsah -- counsel,advice... etsah. 6099 . counsel,
advice. Transliteration: etsah Phonetic Spelling: (ay-tsaw')
Short Definition: counsel.
...advice, advisement, counselor, purpose.
...4431. melek -- counsel,advice
... 4430, 4431. melek. 4432 . counsel,advice. Transliteration: melek Phonetic
Spelling: (mel-ak') Short Definition:advice. Word Origin...
1697. dabar -- speech, word
... Word Origin from dabar Definition speech, word NASB Word Usage account (2), account*
(2), act (1), acts (52),advice (3), affair (3), affairs (3), agreement (1...
5779. uts -- to counsel, plan
... takeadvice counsel together. A primitive root; to consult -- takeadvice ((counsel)
together). 5778, 5779. uts. 5780 . Strong's Numbers.
2940. taam -- taste, judgment
... 1), taste (4).advice, behavior, decree, discretion, judgment, reason, taste,
understanding. From ta'am; properly, a taste, ie (figuratively...
3289. yaats -- to advise, counsel
... counseled (7), Counselor (1), counselor (10), counselors (11), decided (3), devised
(2), devises (2), formed (1), gave (1), give (2), give youadvice (1), give...
8458. tachbulah -- direction, counsel
... chebel; (only in plural) properly, steerage (as a management of ropes), ie
(figuratively) guidance or (by implication) a plan -- goodadvice, (wise) counsels....
4284. machashabah -- thought, device
... beth}; from chashab; a contrivance, ie (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly)
intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good,advice) -- cunning (work...
8459. Tochu -- an ancestor of Samuel
... Word Origin from the same as Toach Definition an ancestor of Samuel, the same
as NH8430 NASB Word Usage Tohu (1). goodadvice, wise counsels....
Library
Seasonable Counsel: Or,Advice to Sufferers.
... SEASONABLE COUNSEL: OR,ADVICE TO SUFFERERS. BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for
Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684....
Advice to Youth; Or, Old Age and Death in an Unconverted State...
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:91.Advice to youth; or, Old age and death in an
unconverted state, Eccles. 12. 1 7. Isa. 65. 20. 1 Now in...
Wesley'sAdvice to Travelers
... Chapter 11. "I do Indeed Live by Preaching"; Wesley'sAdvice to Travelers;
Wesley and the French Prisoners Wesley'sAdvice to Travelers....
In thisAdvice, So Different from that of Other Writers...
... [Way-2-37] In thisadvice, so different from that of other writers? In
thisadvice, so different from that of other writers, he...
Following theAdvice of all These Counselors, as Well as I Could.....
... [Way-2-26] Following theadvice of all these counselors, as well as I
could? Following theadvice of all these counselors, as...
TeeAdvice of Hotep
... CHAPTER XVI TEEADVICE OF HOTEP. If Mentu, looking up from the old murkets,
noted that the face of his son was weary and sad, he...
Christ'sAdvice to Invite the Poor in Accordance with Isaiah the...
... Chapter XXXI."Christ'sAdvice to Invite the Poor in Accordance with Isaiah The Parable
of the Great Supper a Pictorial Sketch of the Creator's Own...
Advice to Youth; Or, Old Age and Death in an Unconverted State....
... HYMN 91Advice to youth; or, Old age and death in an unconverted state. Eccl.
12:1,7; Isa.... LMAdvice to youth; or, Old age and death in an unconverted state....
The Rewards of Listening to theAdvice of the Wise
... THE SAYINGS OF THE WISE THE REWARDS OF LISTENING TO THEADVICE OF THE WISE.
My son, if you heed my words, And store my commands in...
LovingAdvice for Anxious Seekers
... LovingAdvice for Anxious Seekers. A Sermon (No.735). Delivered... deceived.
"Let him ask of God," that is theadvice of the Scripture....
Thesaurus
Advice (52 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ADVICE; ADVISE; ADVISEMENT.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Advice (52 Occurrences). Acts 5:40 His
advice carried conviction.
...Advise (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To giveadvice to; to offer an opinion, as worthy or expedient to
be followed; to counsel; to warn....ADVICE; ADVISE; ADVISEMENT....
Advisement (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Counsel;advice; information. 2. (n... consultation.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.ADVICE; ADVISE; ADVISEMENT. ad...
Consult (27 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To seek the opinion oradvice of another;
to take counsel; to deliberate together; to confer....
Counsel (192 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Result of consultation;advice; instruction. 4... counsel. 7. (vt) To give
advice to; toadvice, admonish, or instruct, as a person....
Lighten (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:9 And he said to them, Whatadvice give ye that we may return answer
to this people who have spoken to me saying, Lighten the yoke which thy father...
Read (681 Occurrences)
... 10. (vi) To giveadvice or counsel. 11. (vi) To tell; to declare. 12.... 17. (vt) Saying;
sentence; maxim; hence, word;advice; counsel. See Rede. 18....
Memucan (3 Occurrences)
... He recommends Vashti's deposition so that "all the wives will give to their husbands
honor, both to great and small." Thisadvice is adopted and incorporated...
Phoenix (2 Occurrences)
... Thence, in spite of Paul'sadvice to winter in Fair Havens, it was decided to sail
to Phoenix (eis Phoinika, limena tes Kretes) bleponta kata liba kai kata...
Consulted (33 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 10:8 But he forsook theadvice of the old men which they had given
him, and consulted with the young men, who had grown up with him, that stood...
Resources
Can you give me some Christian relationship advice? | GotQuestions.orgWhy didn't Solomon follow his own advice on women? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Lemuel in Proverbs 31? | GotQuestions.orgAdvice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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