Have you ever heard of the phrase, “You have your truth, and I have my truth?” Our culture has increasingly embraced the idea that if something is true for me, then it is true for me, regardless of whether it is objectively true. The Bible does not support this claim. Jesus not only suggests, but declares that the word of God is truth (John 17:17). Truth exists independently of what we believe about it.
Opinions are real; God made us with the ability to reason and think (cf. Isa 1:18). Having our own opinions about something can help lead us to making certain decisions and trying to determine certain outcomes. But the problem comes when we try to use our opinions to try to determine what is right and what is wrong.
The Bible warns that our thinking can mislead us. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Prov 14:12). A way which, at the time, seems like the very best way to go may end up in death. Life has its inexplicable aspects. This is why we need God’s directions (cf. Jer 10:23; Mt 7:21-22).
When you look at Naaman (2 Kings 5), you see a Biblical example that opinion holds no grounds against God’s divine instruction. Elisha told Naaman what to do in order to cure his leprosy (2 Kings 5:10), but to Naaman there were better options (2 Kings 5:11-12). Notice that Naaman wasn’t necessarily being rebellious, he sincerely thought that the rivers of Damascus were better. His reasoning made sense to him. But being convinced of something, does not make it correct. Would Naaman have been cleansed if he ignored God’s way to do what seemed better to him? No, it wasn’t until he submitted himself to the instruction of God that he experienced healing (2 Kings 5:14).
Notice what Solomon says in Prov 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.” Our feelings, preferences, and opinions are not the standard; God’s Word is. Truth is not determined by emotions, popular opinion, or changing social media. It remains what God has already said.
Many will reject plain Biblical teaching just because it does not match what they feel or want. The question should not be, “How do I feel about this?” It should always be, “What has God already said about this?” We should not seek to redefine what truth is, we should conform ourselves to the truth that has already been given (Rom 12:2). God does not want us to determine whether or not His truth makes sense according to our preferences. He asks that we trust His wisdom above our own (Isa 55:8-9).
-Willie Bagwell