FOOLISH WITH OPINIONS
On 1 Timothy 1
Referring to verses 6 and 7, I was once that person. Not that I desired to be a teacher of the gospel, but I had strong opinions about certain doctrine that I didn't completely understand or study enough to stand rightly with my opinion- yet I stood. I would get into discussions with people, and speak "confident assertions" about things that I really didn't know anything about. This is what Paul calls "vain discussion". It's okay to discuss matters concerning the Bible, but to make a solid opinion formed on nothing, is somewhat foolish. For me, I would also feel so strongly about whatever the subject was, that I would take anything the opposing person said personally and argue my way through the discussion- because I was right regardless. This is a sign of immaturity in faith and also, just plain foolishness. I have learned since, thank God, to be educated before standing firm in an opinion. Nobody decides to follow Jesus because they lost an argument- my pastor once said. Except I used to think otherwise. Are you this way? Really, it is doing the gospel more harm than good. I think I made people angry, and frankly- I embarassed myself. My foolishness was also impressed on the gospel, when I so wrongfully preached it. If you are like I was, stop. Learn the Bible. Study it. Let the Holy Spirit be the one who is at work, not your mouth on overdrive.
- Leanne