A Matter of Opinion
Julia Bettencourt

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:5

I've been thinking a lot lately how many times I've heard someone say the phrase, "That's just my opinion".   I'm sure you've had someone give you a long spiel on a topic or a matter at hand, only to end the conversation with that inevitable phrase, 'That's just my opinion!"   It's almost like they have to finish with that added phrase as a form of stomping their feet to get their point across. Stomp!   It's like a stamp of justification that just dares you not to question or judge that opinion because after all it's just a matter of opinion. It doesn't matter if the view is right or wrong. That phrase just cries out that it doesn't matter if you think differently because people have the right to their opinions and feelings.

I catch myself saying that same, "that's just my opinion" phrase too, but did you know as Christians we don't have the right to our own opinions?
2 Corinthians 10:5 says,

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Of course we don't naturally reflect God's thoughts and opinions.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.   For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."   Isaiah 55:8,9

We do have a choice at what we ingest. We sometimes blame the world for pushing things our way, but as Christians we tend to allow it. No one forces us to watch TV shows that have ungodliness portrayed. No one forces us to read, watch, and take in worldliness. We allow it, and when we spew off words that we claim is our opinion, we'd better take a reality check to see if those opinions reflect Christ. More times than not, we just aren't careful with our words because we aren't careful with what we allow into our lives. What we are taking in will have an impact on how our opinions are formed and on what will eventually come out in our speech. We have to work hard to guard our thoughts so that what comes out of us in the way of our opinion is becoming as a Christian.

1.    Be careful what we take in.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8

2.   Be careful to check our thoughts with God's Word.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."   Hebrews 4:12

3.   Be careful to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."   Ephesians 4:30


That whole passage of Ephesians 4 is talking about the way we live our Christian lives. Verse 30 talks about putting away the things that are not good that comes out of us.

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice" Ephesians 4:30

Nothing in that verse should be spewed out of us when we share, "just our opinion", but it's sad to say that many of us embody bitterness, wrath, anger, and all those things when we feel the need to share our opinion, especially on a heated topic. We have this all so human need to do the opinion stomp and make people aware of our view. It doesn't really matter what the topic is, we just want people to see our side.

Verse 32 says,

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

If we'd really take account of what we take in and really be concerned that our thoughts are in tune with Christ's, we'd probably not be so caught up in making an issue to get our two cents of opinion across. We'd be more concerned with doing what verse 32 talks about - being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.


So, what's your opinion?