Luke 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Here are disciples who have walked with Jesus for three years and they are afraid to ask Him a simple question? The only reason I can think of that they did not want to ask is the same reason I would not questions in class, I did not want to look stupid.

I’ve come to believe that there are no stupid questions, only simple or difficult answers. The last thing any of us should do is leave lingering doubts in our minds. The devil feeds off doubts and fears.

At a minimum we should engage someone we trust and ask simply, “Did I hear right?” That places you in a neutral position, being neither haughty nor abased. We all have moment when we doubt our senses and the older I get the less dependable is my memory. It is an easy out, not suspicious, genuine and an opportunity to open dialogue.

That also works when your beliefs are challenged. We all desire to be right on important issues. We are told to rightly divide the Word, and when our understandings are challenged, we need to find a way of clarifying what has been said. I know I have misspoken at times and did not catch it until someone asked for clarification.

I do not want to mislead anyone but I have to admit I’ve been told that my conclusions sometimes need to be tied back to scripture that supports what I’ve said. If we cannot back up what we think and say with scripture, then where do our beliefs come from?

Here is a rule of thumb; if you feel like you are back peddling, you are not standing on good footing.