Proverbs 28:21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

Recently I questioned my understanding of a spiritual issue. Seeking the Lord held no knew instruction. Being one who has read many authors, I turned to an old source, a man of letters, a man who had shed some very special light on scriptures for me in the past.

I read about two sentences on the subject as he understood it and closed the book. How could such a learned man be so wrong? I came for understanding and came away let down. In reading those words I knew the truth to be otherwise. The Spirit of Truth said, “This is error.”

Being one who has gained some amount of respect within my church as being trusted with the word, I felt numbed. I certainly had more respect, for that man of letters, than my contemporaries have for me. I want to be a man who is sound in doctrine. I definitely run to ground every doubt that I have until the Spirit allows me to rest, but who am I to be trusted if this man of letters failed me?

I have no wish to fail anyone as the man in today’s opening verse, but to deny my ability to be wrong denies my humanity. I trust in the Lord, that my Comforter will guide me in truth. Yet I cannot deny others the right to object or have another opinion, if it is not foundational to salvation.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Leaning isn’t standing upright.