I, like most the people I know have opinions about most things. Some of us verbalize them, others tend to share their thoughts with only a few. Some of our opinions are strong and reflect core values, others not so much. Some opinions have been formulated out of much research and deep reflection others are more feeling-based and might or might not be totally factual.
It seems to me that the things that we really care about have an emotional element to them. Over the years I have found that by speaking forcefully or persuasively one can sway a number of people. That is a concern because too often people will adopt beliefs and form opinions with little to no foundation or factual reason. When pressed why they believe certain things, they either have flimsy reasons that don’t stand up to scrutiny or they don’t really know. It’s just the way they feel.
2 Corinthians 11:4 from the NLT says, “You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.” I admit that what I am about to say sounds cynical. That is not my motive. My motive is based on a desire for sound reasoning to prevail. Here it is: I don’t think people “think” enough. It seems to me that too many people allow others to think for them. Here are some thoughts about forming opinions:
1. Trust, but verify. Those words are from Ronald Reagan and they apply to even your most trusted friends. Though you all would do well to share my opinions (LOL), I wouldn’t intentionally mislead anyone. However, you shouldn’t go along with the things I, or anyone else says until you have verified the conclusions for yourself.
2. Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. I don’t know who said that, but it’s good advice. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV) says, “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” At times we will hear things from folks and agree with some of it and disagree with other parts of it. Too often we take an “all or nothing” approach. By thinking things through, we can filter it and keep the stuff that’s right and good. For instance, there are some preachers I enjoy by reading or listening but, they are not Pentecostal or Spirit-filled; nonetheless, they have a lot of good things to say.
3. Think for yourself. To my Christian friends, remember that John 16:13 promises that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. “ALL” is a very inclusive word. Simply put, if we will test things with scripture and an ear to the voice of God, we will draw the right conclusions and form the right opinions. Even for those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, God has given everyone common sense. I know that’s hard to believe, sometimes, but its true. Check this out: Romans 2:13 - 15 (NIV) 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) It’s not a lack of common sense, it’s a lack of doing the sometimes-hard work of “thinking.”
4. Guard against apathy. I’ll never forget a scene from the 1976 movie, “Network,” which was dealing with the apathy that had set into the nation and how people settled and allowed themselves to be led around like sheep. In the scene I’m thinking of, there was a broadcaster who urges the TV audience to open their windows and yell, “I’m as mad as _ _ _ _ and I’m not going to take it anymore.” The scene cut from the anchorman to people opening the windows and doing that very thing. I don’t advocate that we do that; however, I do challenge you to “think” and ask yourself, “Have I settled, Have I become complacent? Do things concern me the way they should?”
None of us have the energy, money or time to address every important issue facing us as a nation, a church or an individual. However, the enormity of valid concerns are not an excuse to shut down and not “think” and address the issues that we can or should.
I am not writing to tell you what to care about, act upon or what opinions to form. I am calling upon you to think, have an engaged mind, be prepared to discuss your reasoning and be open to listen to and think about what others are saying.
I used to wonder how people embraced the tyrants of history, how so many people could ignore overwhelming evidence and believe lies or how so many would reject Jesus and follow the lead of self-serving Pharisees. The answer to these and many more questions like them is: “people were to lazy, too self absorbed, too whatever to “think.” For your sake and the sake of those you love, please, do the hard work of “thinking.”
