Proverbs 19:20-21 (NIV)
20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
I wasn't sure what verse I was going to use to start this off, but I came across Prov 19:20-21 and felt it hit my point right on the nose. After my conversation with my parenting group last night and my blog writing this morning, God sent me on a deeper mission. He sent me searching for the difference between receiving someone's counsel and someone's opinion. Boy, oh boy! There is a huge difference in the two.
Webster's definition of Opinion:
2
a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b : a generally held view
Webster's Definition on Counsel:
I then searched out Advise:
Which then led me to seek out the definition of Information:
Webster's Definition on Counsel:
a : advice given especially as a result of consultation b : a policy or plan of action or behavior
b : guarded thoughts or intentions I then searched out Advise:
2
: to give information or notice to
Which then led me to seek out the definition of Information:
: the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence
2
a (1) : knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction
Do you see the difference in receiving or giving advice versus opinion. Opinions are based off of a general view. To counsel is to give advice and advice is based off of information and knowledge. God did not instruct us to seek out people's opinions. His word says to "listen to advice" no where does it instruct us to go after the general opinions of others. We need to give and receive counsel that is based off of the guarded thoughts (Provs 4:23 addresses that) and knowledge of another and most importantly, we need to be sure it lines up with God's word. There is no question that wise counsel should line up with God's word.
Even Webster tells us that an opinion lacks knowledge and counsel is based from information. Anything that is presented to you or that you present to another needs to be given the litmus test of those two definitions and most importantly God's word. If it doesn't pass as counsel, leave it at the door.
a (1) : knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction
Do you see the difference in receiving or giving advice versus opinion. Opinions are based off of a general view. To counsel is to give advice and advice is based off of information and knowledge. God did not instruct us to seek out people's opinions. His word says to "listen to advice" no where does it instruct us to go after the general opinions of others. We need to give and receive counsel that is based off of the guarded thoughts (Provs 4:23 addresses that) and knowledge of another and most importantly, we need to be sure it lines up with God's word. There is no question that wise counsel should line up with God's word.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
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