Everyone Has An Opinion!

Opinion: a conclusion held without positive knowledge

Everyone has an opinion, but I think it's safe to say that not every opinion needs to be heard. Once we understand that we can heal or that we can tear down with words, hopefully we realize the importance of using wisdom before we speak. The word informs us in James 1:19, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." While we may truly mean well, we have to keep in mind that our opinion is our "conclusion held without positive knowledge."

In other words, we don't always know the true facts - we only speaking what we think - which we all know is simply our version of reality. When we speak without wisdom, we can easily hurt a family member or a friend, not to mention grieve the very spirit of God. Like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, when they offered their opinion against Moses and Aaron. They said unto them, (this was their opinion) "ye take too much upon you seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord"(Numbers 16:3).

That was truly their opinion, neither the Lord, nor wisdom or knowledge were found in those statements. If it had been, the earth would not have opened her mouth and swallowed them up, "with all that appertain unto them, and went down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord" (Numbers 16:30). They should have kept their opinions to themselves, because it grieved the spirit of God and caused them to lose their lives.

James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." We have no excuse, we can always go to the Lord before we give our opinion to someone else. He loves us and He won't rebuke us for coming to Him to get wisdom. So let's be careful about how we throw words around, as they may come back to swallow us up! Not to mention, every opinion simply does not need to be heard.

As you may have heard people say, "Opinions are just like noses - everybody has one." Just remember that just because we have one, it does not mean that it needs to be heard!

With all that said, let the Church say Amen... and AMEN!