You’re entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts. – Michael Bloomberg
There are not many types of food that I abhor but most of them are green. I hate green olives and brussels sprouts, and I’m not a fan of broccoli (President George H.W. Bush was right on that one). While I’m on the subject of things I don’t like, I cannot stand opera. If it comes on the radio, I cannot switch stations fast enough! But those are just my opinions. My favorite person in the world happens to love the vegetables I detest. And if she serves them, I’ll eat them. But Jane agrees with me about opera, yet we have good friends who love opera and have season tickets.
When it comes to opinions, it’s vital that Christ-followers learn how to act like Christians, particularly in our current culture. Our culture applauds self-expression and individuality. It says, “Be who you want to be. Express yourself.” Yet, it’s wrong when Christ-followers are arrogant, boisterous, and opinionated about matters that just don’t matter. Too many Christians have a problem with being opinionated and treat their opinions as truth.
Having a strong opinion is not the same as being opinionated. Being opinionated is about dogmatically and arrogantly clinging to a certain viewpoint. It’s a viewpoint from which you refuse to budge often even in the face of compelling information and evidence.
A strong opinion on the other hand is well considered, researched, thought out and can be assertively put forward. It’s not a dogma or something you’d seek to defend if it can’t be defended. The difference boils down to basically one thing – a commitment to truth and seeking the truth.
Most of us have been ambushed by an opinionated individual. Sometimes they’ll use shame to bully you with their opinion. My heart ached recently for a pastor’s wife who was ambushed by some women at her church at a women’s breakfast. They accused her of being socially irresponsible and offensive that she as a Christian would buy and bring strawberries to a church fellowship in the winter because of the extraordinary amount of water it requires to grow them in another moderate-climate country and then have them shipped to America. Needless to say, she went home in tears. At the time she was able to respond meekly and graciously, but it was difficult…for her and her husband to not become bitter.
How do you know if you’re opinionated?
Consider how you handle evidence related to your opinion. If you mainly look for evidence to support your opinion and are easily offended by evidence that differs, then you’re so opinionated that possibly no evidence would alter your opinion. You don’t have an opinion, it has you. Having an opinion is different. It means that you can be objective, keep your opinion or discard it without it influencing your ego or self-image.
Then, do you listen or talk…and do you listen with an open mind. When discussing controversial topics, do you listen to understand rather than just to respond? Do you pay close attention to actual experiences, values, and reasoning behind someone else’s perspective? Do you look for common ground and areas of agreement before focusing on differences? Do you ask follow-up questions making sure you comprehend their position? You may find some of your disagreement stems from miscommunication or misunderstanding, rather than irreconcilable differences.
All of our perspectives are limited. The Bible tells us that our minds are sin contaminated. It’s why God’s Truth in Scripture must shape our opinions. Opinions are shaped by our own experiences, culture, and worldview. However, as Christians, we know that God’s thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). If we want truth that aligns with God’s perfect will, we must shape our opinions based on God’s revealed truth in Scripture. Rather than blindly trusting our own opinions, assumptions and ways of thinking, we’re to measure our thoughts and opinions by God’s Word in submission to Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Most of the matters Christians argue about today won’t matter in ten years and even less, one hundred years from now. Some of those include music, versions of Scripture, political choices, educational choices (homeschool, public, school or Christian), vaccines, homeopathic or traditional medicine, etc.
Rather than fighting for God’s truth, it seems that the only battles some Christians get into are taking potshots over minor matters with other saints. When it comes to areas where we have strong opinions, biblical love would suggest it’s often best to keep them to ourselves in the sense of not arguing over them. It’s a godless culture that cries out, “You can’t squelch my personality! I have a right to express myself and my opinions!” As believers, we’re to be selfless and care about the other person’s concerns.
Too many of us go to war over non-essentials when we need to take a Christlike stand for the non-negotiables. We must always remember that God’s Word commands us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).Standing firm for truth can’t justify meanness, hostility, insults or pride. As our Savior was patient with His followers’ weaknesses, we must follow His example and be patient with others, even those we disagree with.
Research shows religious discussions are 35% more likely to be calm and civil when debaters are friendly and recognize that they often share core beliefs. An argument may fail to persuade yet gentle answers can gain ground. Speaking the truth in love builds unity even amidst diversity.
Jesus humbled Himself and accepted us unconditionally in love. His model of acceptance didn’t seek to condemn or condone sin, but to redeem sinners. As His followers, we’re to have open arms like His, not judging hearts or motives. Minor differences shouldn’t keep us from unity and walking together. The early church contained both Jewish and Gentile believers with very divergent cultures, yet they were one family in Christ.
Scripture encourages us to hold our opinions loosely and make certain they conform to God’s truth. Our perspectives are very limited. Only God’s wisdom is infinite. Unity comes through Christ-like love and humility, not arrogance. We are to be the people of grace and always act graciously. While opinions are important, they must always be packaged with humility. May we gently pursue truth and be kind so Christ’s kingdom will flourish.