GIVING/TAKING ADVICE

I remember a story that our Vice Principal shared when I was in Secondary (high) school. He told us about a young man that was advised to withdraw from school. The next term, he was seen resuming with other students and carrying on as usual. The school authorities asked him what he thought he was doing. He told them that he decided not to take the advice, lol.

Seriously, we really need to talk a little more about this ‘advice’ business. You see some people forcing their opinions on you and if you (sheepishly) follow their advice and it backfires, you hear them telling you ‘It was only an advice’. Then, you have those that issue threats as ‘advice’.  I still don’t understand why the school could not just tell the boy to WITHDRAW, if that was what they really meant. What’s with all the saying one thing and meaning another business?

Just as I was writing this, someone came again with ‘friendly advice’ that was actually an instruction! What are we to do with all these advisors?

I remember a young lady that had 9un0friendly child nutrition advice for me in the hospital as we were waiting to see the paediatrician. I was too shocked to think of a witty comeback…Thank you ma’am!

While we’re still giving and taking advice, let me give you some of mine…watch who you go to for counsel/advice. Let the Holy Spirit guide you o. People are not always what they appear to be, I’ve learnt that by experience. Also, please learn to filter advice; some people are just bored and looking for a guinea pig to test their hypotheses on. Be very wary of people that try to force their opinions on you. Some of them claim to have heard from the Holy Spirit, be very guided. I have a scripture to support my own advice o, lol.

2 Timothy 3:1-7

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God ; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof : from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

These people believe they have the monopoly of wisdom and will do all they can to manipulate and control you, please KNOW GOD FOR YOURSELF first. Don’t let anyone impose their revelation of God on you.

There is DEFINITELY the place of exhortation. However, when you meet people that want to dictate how you spend your time and your data, who you can associate with, which groups you can belong to, etc, FLEE…They want to enslave you.

Can you please give us your own piece of advice on giving/taking advice in the ‘Comments’ section? Thanks.