How long will you go limping between two different opinions?

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

The word opinion is not used very often in the bible. I have dismissed the 3 uses offered in Job. It is my opinion that they should be left out of this conversation.

In this age of social media there is nothing but opinions covering a wide range of subject matter. It has gone so far as to create a new title in the market place,The Influencer.

Opinions seem to be the way of the world. It is almost as if the world would have no influence without strong opinions. We who are in Christ know better.

I was first struck by Elijah’s description of limping, which is an obvious outward sign. It reminded me of Jacob’s wrestling match and that after his wound in the thigh he might have limped.

The proverb fits social media’s opinions beautifully, they take great pleasure in their folly.

Third is the expression of how our Lord is not swayed by opinions or appearances.

Then comes the instructions from Paul in how to treat opinions.

Even in this short article I gave my own opinion because in my judgment those examples did not bring us any closer to the mystery that is Christ in us.

The bible is full of light and darkness and there should be no opinion that wavers as to which is the way to life. Light leads us to Christ and darkness is a bottomless pit.

Colossians 2:9-10 (English Standard Version)

 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him whiteout limping.

Proverbs 15:1-4 English Standard Version

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

A theologian once said to me that self-control is listed last because it is the last fruit of the spirit.

Fruit does not fall from the tree until the fruit has been ripened. Yes, I just made up my own one line parable, yet for me it does give me peace. This is the point that I would like to make.

Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

What gives me peace may not lead to mutual upbuilding. I should be the first to admit that some of scripture is not easily understood. No, wait, Peter said that about Paul’s writings, so I am not first. At the end of my article called The Sect I said “The purpose has to be to seek God’s will or this will not work.”

How soon we forget because shortly after that I sought the scriptures to bring me peace of mind, I found it and yet that last fruit of the spirit, self-control, struggled. Wisdom seeks counsel and so I did. His counsel confirmed what I already knew in my heart, controversy leads to weakening of faith and does not lead to peace for others. Build up, do not burden.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

The book of wisdom comes through once again.