Proverbs 18:1,2
"Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion."
This is the
isolationist, egomaniac, self-absorbed, narcissistic, self-serving, my
opinion-is-always-right kind of person.... that God calls "a fool."
This is the person who talks AT you, never WITH you. "My mind is made up,
don't confuse me with the facts." "Just listen to me." Such are
very troubled people, and troublesome to others and community. They seek always
to dominate and must have the last word. They cannot be bothered to build
consensus. It's my way or no way. Christians who traffic in truth, the Holy
Bible, often err in elevating their extra-Biblical opinions to the status of
truth, not even realizing they are doing so. "I'm a Christian, I have a
Bible, therefore whatever I say is right." Well, maybe, if supported by a
proper understanding of Scripture. And when even the most learned of Bible
students can prove to be very wrong in their interpretations, I think we
Christians at times can entertain some very erroneous opinions. I've known
truly genuine scholars of Scripture (good conservative men) eventually admit
they were wrong on a given interpretation, or two, or three. Even little me has
had to eat crow on too many occasions. But too often we insist we're absolutely
right because....... ah...... I have a Bible and therefore must hold the right
viewpoint. Ah, maybe... I hope so.... if such a person really and truly has the
right grasp on what God says. But, hermeneutics is a very exacting science
which means I must STUDY to show myself approved, a workman that needs not to
be ashamed. And, how many of us really STUDY God's Word. I'm not talking here
about the obvious fundamentals of THE FAITH (upon these we cannot waffle).
Rather, we're in the area of OPINION and the disputables Paul talks about in
Romans 14. This has to do with OPINION and general Bible interpretation.
Unfortunately, too many of us have a knowledge of God's Word based primarily on
a simple devotional reading (and they can be a blessing) or bumper sticker
slogans (and they can ring a bell or two) that click at the moment whether they
reflect the whole counsel of God's Word or not. If the Bible is not primary in
my life, if I do not mediate therein day and night (Psalm 1:2), if I can't say
with the Psalmist "O, how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the
day" (Psalm 119:97).... then very possibly I may well not be the authority
I think I am. And, I am in danger of being the "my
opinion-is-always-right" kind of fool set forth in the PROVERB
listed above. A PRAYER: "Dear God, humble me, quiet me and make me know
I don't necessarily have all the answers to everyone's problems, let alone the
problems of this crazy mixed up world."
-
dick
d. christen
