Opinions, everyone has them. We begin developing opinions at an early age, usually when we look at a certain food and “decide” we do not like it because its green, and we do not like green! But when Mom makes us take a bite, we change our mind and decide we do like broccoli, or green beans!  Hah! A funny example maybe, but that is how children think, and sometimes, even some adults.

Children hear the opinions of adults and think they are wisdom. However, young children do not know the difference between opinions and facts so they view what adults say as truth. The problem is that some opinions are based on emotion or bad experiences rather than truth. As we reach adulthood, we learn to base our opinions on truthful facts; not partial truths, or emotions, or even family traditions that could be wrong.

As we grow and mature, we learn to think and evaluate what is said before deciding if we want to incorporate those sayings into our life. Problems arise when our opinions are based on our feelings, attitudes, and pre-conceived ideas instead of truth. In other words a person does not need to know the truth about a situation in order to form a strong opinion about that situation, and that, my friend, can be dangerous. On the other hand, to have strong faith we must know truth – The Truth – Jesus.

Faith is described as an allegiance to duty or a person; a belief or trust in God. Bible faith finds out the truth on a subject, any subject, every subject. Opinions do not demand to know the truth, but faith always demands the truth. Just as a wrong opinion based on wrong thinking can ruin a friendship, wrong thinking can hinder our faith in God’s Word and our ability to receive His blessings. Opinions only carry weight (or power) when they are based on truth; and only the Bible has absolute truth.

Of course the only way to know the truth of the Bible is to read and study it. As we renew our mind to the Word, God’s truth will straighten out our wrong thinking, and develop our wisdom to form correct opinions. We must have correct thinking in order to have a correct opinion. The only way to develop correct thinking is to: 1) to renew our mind to the Word of God (Romans 12:2); and 2) cast down imaginations that are not in line with God’s Word, (2 Corinthians 10:5). This again comes around to the importance of knowing God’s Word so we know if our thoughts of correct.

It takes a strong faith to search out truth, and it takes faith to receive the blessings of God, and to maintain what we have received from God. Since faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God, I encourage you to study His Word to show yourself a workman of God’s Word, and let your beliefs in God be your opinion!