Studies show that once people form an opinion, they usually refuse to listen to facts that refute it.
This causes enormous problems for Christians, causing them to:
1. Accept half-truths and distorted views of Scripture (e.g. the misuse of "Judge Not").
2. Promote unsubstantiated claims about Bible translations.
3. Excuse pagan involvement.
4. Support popular false teachers.
5. Misuse Scripture to promote cultural errors.
It makes us proud, foolish, and unteachable.
"The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice." Proverbs 12:15
If a thought, theory, idea, teaching, philosophy, or behavior contradicts Scripture, it's wrong. Period.
The Bible is God's "opinion" and His opinion is always the right one so:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Bible Love Notes
“My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” ~ Jesus, Matthew 26:38
When we’re suffering, stressed, grieved, depressed, or discouraged, we should recite this verse and ponder what Christ suffered for us.
Our perfect Lord was “crushed with grief” to the point where it almost killed Him.
“Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:44
It’s interesting that Luke, the physician, records this phenomenon called Hematidrosis.
Knowing He would be separated from His Father and held responsible for the sins of the world caused tiny blood vessels to break in Christ's body, squeezing blood out of the sweat glands and hair follicles. Our Lord suffered as a man.
Christ asked the disciples to "keep watch" during His time of need, but they fell asleep.(1)
Christ also asks us to "keep watch" ... to be busy with His work until He returns (Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:33).
Let's not fall asleep!
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(1) When I read that the disciples fell asleep, it makes me sad. But I realize that they did not fully understand what was going to happen to Christ, nor did they have God's Spirit living in them because the Holy Spirit had not been given yet (Acts 1:8). But we have God's Spirit and we understand the importance of what Christ accomplished on the cross. So let's "keep watch," dear Christians.
Bible Love Notes
Thirty years ago, a professing Christian told me she’d listen to her favorite singing group “even if God said it was wrong.”
I’m not sure if her music choice was sinful, but her attitude was.
I was shocked fifteen years later when this woman unashamedly quit attending church and got involved in immorality.
But I shouldn’t have been surprised.
The seed of her rebellion was present in that statement she'd made so many years earlier.
When we read God’s command against worshiping other gods (Exodus 20:3), we typically think of pagan gods. But anything we choose over God is an idol.
Christians sin, but we don't want to. We want to deny ourselves for Christ's sake (Matthew 16:24).
If there’s anything we refuse to give up for Christ, we're headed down a dangerous path. A small seed of rebellion left unchecked will grow into thorns that choke out our faith.(1)
Are you doing something that God forbids? Please repent, dear Christian!
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(1) The Parable of the Sower describes "thorns" as worries about this life and worldly desires such as desires for wealth and pleasure (Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14). When Christ says some people become unfruitful because these thorns of life choke the seed planted in them, is He talking about saved or unsaved people? Scripture does not make this completely clear, but our desire should be to give God our best, not our least.
Bible Love Notes
