There is no shortage of opinions and access to them in this day and age. Want to tell someone what you think about anything whatsoever? You need only a facebook or twitter account…then at your fingertips you can share and like and comment and post to your heart’s desire.
But with this type of instant information and opinion overload, we best be sure we are going to God’s Word MORE consistently than we are to the internet. God’s Word is the only true compass for life.
We can read what other people think our role is with refugees…what the governments role is for refugees…you can read opinions about gun rights and if a Christian should carry a gun or not and why….and you can read articles on these topics from Christian leaders that both think they are right, but have completely opposite takes on the subject. And in this election year coming up there will be more people sharing their opinions about who is the best person for the job as President of the United States.
Same with home schooling, for instance. I read so many articles on home schooling as I go throughout a regular week. I like to hear what other people are trying…what worked for them…what didn’t. I like to be challenged in the way I am teaching and leading my kids.
Whatever topic interests you, there are hundreds of blogs and posts to read on it. Some may be exactly what you want to hear; others may greatly step on your toes
If there is anything I have learned from living with Josh these past almost 15 years, it is that it is good to be challenged with hard questions. If I am right, well great. If it ends up I am wrong, then I should be glad I had to grapple with the tension of the question.
So it is great to share your opinion. It’s great to hear other people’s opinions. It is also fine to read a book you don’t agree with completely. You should be strong enough to stand on your beliefs/convictions/ways of life even when challenged. You should also be teachable enough that if the truth is clear and you’re not in line with it, then you can make adjustments and get right. None of us are going to be right all the time on everything.
But I guess my point is that The Word of God, as a believer, must be your truth. It must be where you go when you find yourself unsure about the tension of a subject. Read, read and read some more.
With all of the differing opinions on some pretty major topics these days, I was realizing more than ever how desperately I need the wisdom from God’s Word. I focused in on the Proverbs in addition to other reading from God’s Word and have been so blessed by them. And humbled. So humbled.
One day Proverbs 20:3 stood out to me and helped me with my kids. They have been arguing a lot lately. A lot! I would intervene, fuss at them for fussing, and then think that it’s just normal for kids to fight so what is the big deal?!? But this verse gave me some truth to bring to them as I confronted them about their arguing: “Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool with quarrel.” Even verse 11 of that chapter was helpful; “It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself, if his conduct is pure and right.”
Personally, I had responded rashly to several situations. I knew I was wrong to overreact and feel the need to show how I was right and the other person was wrong. And these verses helped me confess and get right and gave me a specific truth to pray: “A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger and it is his glory to overlook a transgression” Proverbs 19:11. The 18th chapter of Proverbs had these jewels to share with me: “A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind.” “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.” “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
It didn’t stop there. Proverbs 17: 27-28 says, “He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lip, he is considered prudent.”
And in my quiet times, while I have had truth speak directly to my situations, I haven’t been overly emotional. I haven’t had goose bump moments most mornings. I have prayed that I would hear from God, and I believe I have, but I am speaking of those overwhelming mornings when you just know God sent that Word right to your heart. HOWEVER, Proverbs 16: 20 encouraged me to keep on keeping on in The Word, “He who gives attention to the Word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”
I could go on with how the Word of God has instructed me, guided me, encouraged me, rebuked me, and taught me. It is unchanging. It is divine, God-breathed! The internet and all of the opinions on it are not. They just aren’t. Are there godly men and women that share truth? Yes. Are there great articles used to spur us on in our faith? Yes. But nothing…I mean absolutely nothing…can hold a flame to the beautiful Words of God. I hope you treasure them every day! Be challenged by them. Be changed by them. Be encouraged by them.
