Opinions or Convictions
From the book of Acts until today the church has been posed with this question. Do you have opinions? Or do you hold convictions? Peter's apparent convictions gave way to someone else's OPINION in Galatians 2:11-21There is an important distinction between these very different things.
Webster's Dictionary (e-sword edition) defines opinion in the following manner:
Quote:
| OPINION, n. opin'yon. [L. opinio, from opinor, to thing, Gr., L. suppono.] 1. The judgment which the mind forms of any proposition, statement, theory or event, the truth or falsehood of which is supported by a degree of evidence that renders it probably, but does not produce absolute knowledge or certainty. |
Please note especially the last line but does not produce absolute knowledge or certainty
Here is one half of the problem. If we only have opinions we may find ourselves tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine
The other half of the problem is illustrated well by the following true story.
A few years after I graduated from Bible School, a small group of students came up with a "plan".
The plan included finding their way down to the Saint John River during the Spring thaw.
Close to the shore they discovered a chunk of ice that looked "sailable". They mounted the object and "launched". In a fast moving river there was nothing else to do but ride it out. They ended up going where the river took them... that is until the RCMP became aware of the PLAN...
They always get their man!
A Christian's life that is lived by opinion is cold and driven. Please do not misunderstand me. There are times when we happen upon the right opinion. But we are still on a block of ice, it's just that we have slipped into the "right" stream. Outwardly that works ... until the stream divides.
According to the dictionary, one of the synonyms for conviction happens to be opinion. But the connotation of the word, in the sense of belief, is much stronger, and more directed.
Quote:
Romans 14:5 (New King James Version) "...One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind." |
This verse summarizes what is meant, in the Christian World, by the word conviction.
Joseph Henry Thayer defines this word in this manner:
Quote:
| plērophoreō Thayer Definition: 1) to bear or bring full, to make full 1a) to cause a thing to be shown to the full 1a1) to fulfill the ministry in every part 1b) to carry through to the end, accomplish 1b1) things that have been accomplished 1c) to fill one with any thought, conviction, or inclination 1c1) to make one certain, to persuade, convince one 1c2) to be persuaded, persuaded, fully convinced or assured 1c3) to render inclined or bent on |
FULLY CONVINCED!!
This is conviction. For the Christian it comes down to three things:
1. Book
2. Chapter
3. Verse
Opinions are formed from any variety of sources. It is easy to have an opinion. Television gives you many to choose from. Teachers give you a plethora of choices. Parents are more than willing to pass theirs along to you. Your peer group is especially "helpful" when it comes to forming opinions. The problem becomes, which opinion do you hold?
Convictions, if they be of the "fully persuaded" type, are formed by research and observation. The research revolves around God's Word and studying what the implications are of your convictions in light of God's Word. Book, chapter, and verse. Unlike the students on a chunk of ice, Convictions give you a mast, sail, and a rudder.
Though far from unchangeable, convictions stand stronger and longer than most opinions. Because they possess an authority that opinions just do not have.
Our Churches are filled with worldly opinions:
Quote:
| James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. |
Heavenly wisdom which is described further in this passage comes from acting upon convictions based in God's Word.
Leo Tolstoy wrote:
Quote:
| "Until you do what you believe in, how do you know whether you believe in it or not?" |
Let me challenge you to follow the string of what you "believe" backwards to the source.
Are you floating on a piece of ice? Or do you stand firm in a ship of conviction that can weather the storm and stay true?
Posted On Nov 10, 2006 at 0:00 AM
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