Advice - noun - sually given as result of consultation. Advise - verb - giving advice. Looking at our actions, it is quite obvious we have followed self counsel, throughout - history. Scripture shows that God contends with man's self thinking on a regular basis. It is clearly demonstrated time and again, on a continuing basis, how manind does not really learn, or even care, about God's WORD, for the most part. The LORD gives - The LORD takes. This includes - counsel. Knowledge is given and taken. Search the infinite knowledge of the Assyrians, Babylonians, and the Egyptians. Where are they now, with their knowledge? Individual man thinks he is the center of the universe, and if he is to have a God, he will have it his way, not - God's way. This message is progressively revealed in a story-like setting, and has essentially no ending, to show mankind never learns. We just randomly proceed in our self counsel. The Hebrew word for counsel, as advice, is - etsah. The Greek word is - boule. To give counsel, in Hebrew, is - yaats. Is counsel, about thoughts, or expressions, or both - at once? Can you apply counsel to the wisdom of your heart? Do you teach others? God is incredible. Blessing from GOD - Psalms 1:1 - Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. But - man walks in his self counsel - Proverbs 21:2 - Every way of a man is right in his own eyes - Romans 10:3 - For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Psalms 81:12 - and they walked in their own counsels. God warns - Isaiah 30:1 - Woe to the rebellious children saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me. But - man continues to walk in his self counsel. 2 Samuel 17:15 - and thus and thus have I counseled. God warns again - Job. 5:13 - He takes the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong. But - man continues to walk in his self counsel. Jeremiah 44:17 - we will certainly do whatsoever goes fourth out of our mouth. God acts - Job. 12:17 - He leads counselors away, spoiled, and makes the judges, fools. Man even challenges God Isaiah 36:5 - I have counsel and strength for war. God responds - Job 18:7 - The steps of his strength shall be constricted, and his own counsel shall cast him down. Proverbs 20:8 - Every purpose is established by counsel, and with good advice make war. Proverbs 8:14 - Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom I am understanding; I have strength. Isaiah 11:2 - the spirit of counsel and might Man provokes - Psalms 106:43 - they provoked (HIM) with their counsel, God acts - Psalms 106:43 - and were brought low for their iniquity. But - man continues to walk in his self counsel. God warns - Proverbs 11:14 - Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 15:22 - Without counsel, purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established. Man doesn't listen - Jeremiah 7:24 - But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart. God acts - Nehemiah 4.:15 - and God had brought their counsel to naught, But - man continues to walk in his self counsel. God warns - Hosea 11:6 - And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels. But - man continues to walk in his self counsel. God warns again - Psalms 33:10 - The Lord brings the counsel of the heathen to naught. But - man continues to walk in his self counsel. God acts - Go to "Wrath" communication. But - man continues to walk in his self counsel. John 6:66 - they walked no more with Him (man in his own counsel) WORD of God says - Romans 12:34 - Who has been His counselor? Proverbs 20:5 - Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water Isaiah 46:10 - saith the Lord - my counsel shall stand Proverbs 21:30 - There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, against the LORD. Ephesians 5:17 - Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Hosea 8:8 - For I desire mercy and the knowledge of God. Ephesians 1:11 - who works all things after the counsel of His own will Blessing back to God - Psalms 16:17 - I will bless the LORD who hath given me counsel. Do you see how God communicates to us with - advice? Do you see a merry go round? Did you notice the scriptures were combined to form fluid talk, without fragmenting their actual content? Did you sound out, in your mind, the scripture reference, before you read the scripture fragment? Did you notice the scripture references were written in full, instead of being abbreviated? Where is - Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, found? Actually, David said in Psalms 1:1 - Happy, the man who not he goes in counsel of wicked ones. Read Psalm 1:1. What did you just read? Do you believe God counsels counselors, to counsel you? Do you believe God wants you to counsel others? Go do it. brotherwilson