Steve’s Blog:

I hate chocolate!  I love rap music!  I’m a Republican!  I’m a Democrat!  I’m right and you’re wrong!  Have you ever expressed your opinion and then regretted it?  I have.  I have said things I felt strongly about and let everyone within earshot know my opinion about it.  What was the result?  Not too much . . . at the moment . . . because some people agreed with me . . . but others didn’t agree.They usually didn’t say anything right then, they just kept quiet and held their tongue.  But, you know what?  I didn’t see them much anymore, they just stopped coming around.

How sad.  Why does this happen?  It happens because everyone has opinions.  Everyone has preferences, favorites, likes, dis-likes, and most are willing to let everyone else know what they are.

Someone once said that:
“Opinions have caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes.”

And another person said:
“Anyone who has an opinion, and voices it, will offend someone.”

And all too often I have said:
“Everyone is entitled to my opinion.”

What a bunch of arrogant, prideful, pharisaical, nonsense!  How many opportunities have I lost because I couldn’t hold back my precious opinion . . . I wonder.

One might say:
“Well, I was just sharing my opinion.”

Or:
“I was just telling the truth . . . what’s wrong with that?”

Or:
“Man, people are thin-skinned.  Can’t they handle a little difference of opinion?”

Or:
“It wasn’t a big deal, it’s just what I think.”

I am constantly amazed at how many people are willing to share an opinion at the expense of a friendship.  Or worse, at the expense of a friendship where the person was an unbeliever and they were driven away by the incessant expression of “opinions.”   How can we as Christians express the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of God if we’re continually pushing people away with our often-times insignificant view of the world?

I’m being serious here.  Suppose you make an innocent comment like: “I hate apple pie!”  Sitting next to you is a person whose Grandmother just passed away and that person thinks their Grandmother made the best apple pie in the world.  You’ve just offended them.  You’ve offended them and you didn’t even know it!  Was it worth it?  Was it worth it to share your precious and important thoughts?  (Don’t even get me started about other topics like politics, public education, or anything that may get a rise out of someone.)

I was with a friend once and he ripped someone on the phone with a strong opinion that came across very judgmentally.  When he was finished, I said: “Do you really believe what you just said?”  He said: “No, I just like to make people squirm.”  (I’m not kidding, he really said that.)   Honestly, how do you invite someone to church after a conversation like that?

Is it ever ok to share an opinion?  Of course it is.  Give an honest perspective when a person asks you for your counsel or what you think.  Try to share what the Bible says on a subject if you can.  If it isn’t addressed by the Bible then share your thoughts without judgment or being condescending.

Opinions, by their very nature are divisive.  Be careful of expressing them too easily.  Know your audience.  See the big picture before you speak.  Jesus was full of grace and truth.  Yes, He spoke the truth . . . but His words were seasoned with grace too.  Your opinions may cost you dearly sometime in the future.  Just make sure the battle is worth it.  Don’t compromise your convictions, but don’t feel the need of “swinging around the giant sword of truth” when a simple yes or no would be sufficient.

I hope you’re getting my heart here.  I want you to stand for truth.  I want you to stand for your convictions.  But don’t put a wall between you and those God has called you to care for.  Represent Him well.

Love you Guys,
Steve ?

Proverbs 18:2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own opinion and clever in their own sight.

Romans 14:1 
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.