“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17
Reflect
I am an opinionated person. Whether I vocalize my opinions or not, I’m able to form my own way of thinking about anything and everything. But can I tell you a secret? My opinion doesn’t matter.
Now you may be asking what I mean by that seemingly self-deprecating statement, but I assure you there is truth to what I previously said. When our opinions don’t align with God’s truth, they become invalid. We must take our opinions and bring them to God.
The enemy is also opinionated, and sometimes, it is easier to agree with him than look to what God has to say about things. When my opinion of myself is low because the enemy tells me I am not good enough, God tells me I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). When someone has wronged me, my opinion may be that revenge is the answer; however, God tells me to love my enemy (Luke 6:27). My opinion of myself may be based on approval from others, but am I seeking to please God or am I seeking to please man? (Galatians 1:10).
While what I am writing seems like basic Biblical knowledge, living out our lives under the measure and authority of Scripture is much more difficult. Sometimes, we want to go where our feelings lead us. Sometimes, we want to conveniently ignore what the Word says about things and live under our own authority. Sometimes, those around us may have opinions that are in error, and sometimes, it us up to us to speak the truth as God defines it. Sometimes, we may have to speak this truth to ourselves as well. The only opinion that matters in the is that of Scripture, and in that, there is freedom.
Pray
Father, I thank You for giving us Your Word, so I may know the truth about myself, about others, and how to live in this sinful, fallen world. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Help me to hide Your Word in my heart, so I may not sin against You, and that I may always contradict my faulty opinions with Your truth. Amen.
Your Turn
What is your opinion of yourself? What is your opinion of others? What does God’s word have to say in line with your opinions?
Make the conscious decision today to measure your thoughts, actions, and words in line with the Word of God.
