Everything we do, we do before the Lord. Everything. But, too often, while we may be doctrinally sound in our theology, we don’t let our theology overlay everything in our lives. We may know much of the Bible and claim to accept it as truth. But are there times when we allow what amounts to opinions have more of an effect on our behavior and the things we stand for than the truth?
Today’s Readings:
Deuteronomy 17 & 18
Psalm 37.37-40
Proverbs 12.20-22
Luke 4.1-30
Truth & Opinions
Proverbs 12.20-22:
Truth & Lies
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight (v. 22).
It’s not always easy to speak the truth, especially in a world where for many truth is relative. But God’s Word is clear, those who deal truthfully are His delight. But speaking the truth means we have to know and understand the truth. If we’re to withstand the all-out attack on truth, the truth needs to permeate our very being.
In John 17 Jesus prayed that we might be sanctified by the truth. He went on to say speaking to God the Father, “Your Word is truth” (Jn. 17.17).
We are sanctified by the truth. Not a truth, not my truth, not your truth, but the truth. Despite what the world believes, the truth is not relative. Truth does not change.
Some time ago, I attended a Bible study on one of the attributes of God, His immutability. God’s immutability is His unchangeableness. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13.8). The worksheet contained a quote by A.W. Pink:
However unstable I may be, however fickle my friends may prove, God changes not. If He varied as we do, if He willed one thing today and another tomorrow, if He were controlled by caprice, who could confide in Him? But, all praise to His glorious name, He is ever the same. His purpose is fixed, His will is stable, His word is sure.
His Word, His truth, is sure.
Truth or Opinions?
Today truth has been replaced by opinions. When you try to talk to people about God’s truth on some subject, their response will often start with, “Well, I just believe …”
But opinions are not the same as truth. Opinions change, at least I know mine have through the years. They change because of time, experience, knowledge, and, for believers, because of God’s work in us through His Word.
Many of those opinions have to do with people’s ability to know what’s right for them and their rights to do what they want. If a man believes he’s a woman trapped in a man’s body, we’re told that is his truth. If a woman is pregnant and doesn’t want to have that child, she should have the right to do as she pleases. Many claim we are basically good and our problems come because other people interfere with our right to our own truth.
The Gospel & Our Opinions
But the Gospel demands that we change our opinions about many things, starting with ourselves. We’re not basically good. Apart from God, we are wretched, sinful beings and we need a Savior because we can do nothing to save ourselves. And that’s just the beginning. Our opinions should continue to change as the indwelling Holy Spirit illumines our minds through the Word of God.
Jeremiah said that our own hearts would deceive us (Jer. 17.9). Just because we think something is true, doesn’t make it true. We need the Bible as our plumb line. We need it to train our hearts and minds in what God says is right and true. It’s absurd to think we know better than our Creator.
When I became a believer, God’s truth, His Spirit, and His grace working in me caused me to change my mind about so many things. You see sin affects man’s ability to think and reason. So, our opinions and ideas must be renewed by the Word of God (Rom. 12.2).
He doesn’t save us so we can go on living any way we please and believing anything the world throws at us. He changes us so we can be light in a dark world, light that points back to Christ (Matt. 5.16).
Truth, Opinions & Popular Culture
But sadly, as a whole, our nation has rejected God’s truth. We have ceased allowing our opinions, our laws, our policies, and our lives to be guided by any sense of biblical morality.
At one time, though politicians and citizens had different views about how best to govern and the level of government involvement, standards of morality and virtue were prevalent. There was mutual respect for others and their beliefs. And in the end, we were “one nation under God.” And, even though we allowed others the freedom to believe or not, our standards and laws upheld basic Bible truths.
Some would say it’s a good thing that we have thrown out all biblical standards, that it has no place in politics or the public square, but as Christians, we cannot buy that.
So, what about you? Have your opinions been colored by the culture, your friends, what you have always believed, or what seems right to you? Or do you accept God’s Word as the absolute truth and allow it to form all your thoughts, intentions, and even your opinions?
Today’s Other Readings:
Deuteronomy 17 & 18:
Moses’ Warning
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is reminding the people of their history with God and His commands to them as they prepare to go into the Promised Land. In chapter 17, he gives them some warnings about governments and leadership:
14 When you come to the land which the LORD your God is giving you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,’ 15 you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.
18 Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes.
God’s Word does not ordain a certain kind of government, but God’s people are to obey His commands in whatever circumstances and under whatever form of government they find themselves (Rom. 13.1-7).
And to whatever degree we have a choice, leaders should be chosen according to His standard. They should not be chosen on the basis of political expediency or personal gain. They should not be chosen on the basis of personality or cultural opinion. Instead, as believers, we should pray and search God’s Word for the characteristics of godly men.
Imperfect Men & Women
In a fallen world, this will be an imperfect process at best and will result in imperfect men and women being elected. But we must not become pragmatic or set politics apart from our Christian life and witness.
I understand that many in our nation are not believers and, in some cases, violently opposed to Christianity, but that does not excuse us from our responsibility to think and act biblically.
When we knowingly vote for people who oppose God on issues like abortion, homosexuality, and marriage, we are accountable to Him. This is not about people’s rights; this is about God and what He says is right. And one day we will answer for our choices (2 Cor. 5.9-10).
7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s (Rom. 14.7-8).
Let’s seek to be like Paul who said:
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
And let’s pray for our nation, our leaders, and those around us.
Psalm 37.37-40:
If We Trust in Him
And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him (v. 40).
Even in these uncertain times, we can have His peace if we keep our eyes on Him and remember that He is trustworthy.
Luke 4.1-30:
Fighting Temptation
This chapter includes Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. If you have never studied it before, I would encourage you to read it carefully.
Notice how Jesus fought temptation. Each time He said, “It is written …” followed by a portion of Scripture. He used God’s Word as a sword against the enemy.
God’s Word rightly understood should be our sword of the Spirit, too. It’s our defensive weapon against Satan’s lies and temptation. We are to hide God’s Word in our hearts and meditate on His truths, so we can successfully fight temptation when it comes. If we wait until we need it, it will be too late.
You can read more about using our sword of the Spirit here in “Satan, Swords & Fighting Temptation.”
What Are Your Thoughts?
How do you arrive at your opinions?
What are you doing to grow in your understanding of God’s truth?
When do you find it hard to speak the truth?
What verses help you resist temptation?
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about judging God and look at what could cost us our freedom.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them.
And if this post spoke to you, I would so appreciate it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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