“Opinions Can Be Hazardous”
February 20, 2021
Read Psalm 1
Who do you listen to?
What guides your thoughts?
Where do you seek counsel?
I have found that it is not hard to find an opinion. In case you haven’t noticed, we have no shortage of opinions. We all have them! In fact, in my opinion, we are all experts in our own opinions. They are free and available everywhere! Our family, friends, and neighbors have lots of advice. When we turn on the news, we not only get the news, but we get the newsperson’s opinion of the news. We watch a sporting event on television, we not only get a play-by-play narrative of the game, but we also get the thoughts of the sportscasters about each play. We check the weather and we not only find out it’s going to be cold outside, but we are also told to make sure we wear a coat! There is a lot being said about a lot of things. Information flows bountifully from all around.
By its definition, an opinion is not necessarily fact or truth. Yet at times we follow opinions without thinking them through or analyzing the source of the opinion. In general, opinions are not based on the Bible. I have found that most opinions come from our personal thoughts or experiences. That doesn’t mean that our advice and opinions do not have value, but as sinners our thoughts might be flawed. Therein lies the danger of heeding to opinions.
God’s Word should guide our thoughts and opinions. In Proverbs 3:5-6 we read to “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” We are to trust God with ALL our heart, don’t rely on ourselves but acknowledge Him in ALL ours ways. In Romans 12:2 we read, “…be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We are not to conform to worldly thought.
Returning to Psalm 1, verses 1-3 read, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” We see in these verses that the blessings of God flow as we seek Him and meditate on His Word. We will be fruitful and prosperous when we hold fast to God’s instruction for our lives. These are wonderful promises that the Lord gives. Yet if we are not spiritually prepared, we can fall prey to and attach ourselves to ungodly opinions or advice.
Adhering to worldly opinions can bring about harm to ourselves and those around us. In 1 Corinthians 15:33 we are warned, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” We need to be wise about who we listen to and who we surround ourselves with. Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
In the remaining chapter of Psalm 1, verses 4-6 tell us what happens to worldly notions. “The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” If thoughts and opinions are not based on Biblical principles, they have no solidity. As Christians the Word of God should be the basis to ALL of life. (Matthew 7:24-27, 2 Peter 1:2-4) Knowing that worldly opinions can be dangerous, let us be wise about where we seek counsel. We should filter advice and opinions through the Word of God. (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10, Philippians 4:8)
Now. As you can see from my cascade of words in this devotion, I am a flowing fountain of thoughts and opinions. 😊 I have prayerfully tried to filter all that I’ve said through the Word of God, but I too should be tested and filtered by you. (1John 4:1) I am fallible. I am a sinner. We all need to be cautious about not only what we hear but what we say. We can be guilty of giving our own worldly opinions to others and we may not even be aware! This can transpire from habits, hearsay, or ignorance of the Scripture. Oh, how we need to know the Word of God! Guard our hearts and our tongues! (Proverbs 4:23, 13:3, 21:23, 30:5, Hosea 4:6, Matthew 12:36, Ephesians 4:29, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 5:8)
Worldly opinions are ever changing but God and His Word never changes! His opinion is steadfast and eternal. In Isaiah 40:8 the Bible says “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand forever.” Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away.” In 1 Peter 1:25 we read, “But the Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.”
In this world of constant change in views and opinions coming at us from all directions, we need to remember that there is only one opinion that REALLY matters—our Creator’s. I find great comfort in knowing that God NEVER changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17) Our God is abundant in mercy and overflowing in grace!
Scriptures For Further Study:
Joshua 1:8-9, Job 27:3-4, Psalm 19:14, Proverbs 10:17-21,13:20, 16:3, 16:27-28, 26:28, Jeremiah 7:23-24, 2 Corinthians 6:14, 10:5, Colossians 2:6-8, 3:1-2, James 1:8, 1:22, 1 John 4:1, Revelation 1:8, 22:12-14
In Times Like These 