{"id":23709,"date":"2020-07-06T13:59:17","date_gmt":"2020-07-06T18:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=23709"},"modified":"2023-02-07T15:19:14","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T21:19:14","slug":"expressing-an-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/expressing-an-opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"Expressing an Opinion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t

by Doy Moyer<\/p>\n

\"\"

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n

Being able to recognize one’s own opinion and the effect that the stated opinion might have is important for discernment and growth in Christ. Many times I have failed and wish I could pull back on how I’ve stated some opinions. In an environment of strife, here are some questions and passages to think about today:<\/p>\n

Let’s say that<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. I have a very strong opinion about something;<\/li>\n
  2. I know it is an opinion, and I know that it is divisive;<\/li>\n
  3. I know if I state my opinion very strongly on social media, it will foster division and further divisive comments;<\/li>\n
  4. then I recall that Scripture tells me to pursue peace, unity, and love (Psalms 34:14; Romans 14:19; II Timothy 2:22).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Do I post a divisive opinion knowing that further division will ensue between brothers and sisters for whom Christ died (cf. I Corinthians 8:11)?<\/p>\n

    Let’s say that<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. I have a very strong opinion about something;<\/li>\n
    2. I know it is an opinion, and I know that it is divisive;<\/li>\n
    3. I know that if I state my opinion very strongly on social media, it may drive away people whom I might otherwise be able to influence for good to follow Christ;<\/li>\n
    4. then I recall that Scripture tells me to walk in wisdom and speak with grace toward outsiders (Colossians 4:5-6).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Do I post this divisive opinion knowing that the opinion might turn people away from the gospel before I’ve had a chance to teach them about Christ?<\/p>\n

      Let’s say that<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. someone else posts a divisive opinion I strongly disagree with;<\/li>\n
      2. I know it is an opinion, and I know that responding to it in kind will be divisive and create further problems;<\/li>\n
      3. then I recall that Scripture tells me to pursue peace, unity, and love.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Do I respond to a divisive opinion with my divisive opinion, knowing that further division will ensue between brothers and sisters in Christ?<\/p>\n

        Let us learn to discern and gain wisdom from the Proverbs:<\/p>\n

        “The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near<\/em>” (Proverbs 10:14).<\/p>\n

        “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent<\/em>” (Proverbs 10:19).<\/p>\n

        “The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult<\/em>” (Proverbs 12:16).<\/p>\n

        “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent<\/em>” (Proverbs 17:28).<\/p>\n

        “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion<\/em>” (Proverbs 18:2).<\/p>\n

        “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling<\/em>” (Proverbs 20:3).<\/p>\n

        “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered<\/em>” (Proverbs 28:26).<\/p>\n

        “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back<\/em>” (Proverbs 29:11).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        by Doy Moyer Being able to recognize one’s own opinion and the effect that the stated opinion might have is important for discernment and growth in Christ. Many times I have failed and wish I could pull back on how I’ve stated some opinions. In an environment of strife, here are some questions and passages…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[809,231,456],"class_list":["post-23709","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-opinions","tag-strife","tag-unity"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":79248,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/divisive\/","url_meta":{"origin":23709,"position":0},"title":"Divisive","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 19, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Chadwick Brewer \"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery, they\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/divisive-300x200.avif","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":42577,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/isnt-it-divisive-to-claim-all-denominations-are-wrong\/","url_meta":{"origin":23709,"position":1},"title":"Isn’t it divisive to claim all denominations are wrong?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 17, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I just read the article about why you left the Nazarene denomination. On the latter point of baptism, I will not comment now, but I think your first listed reason is a rational mistake. You said, \"yet the Nazarene Church exists, as does any denomination, because man disregards the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":82047,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-realm-of-opinion-and-judgment\/","url_meta":{"origin":23709,"position":2},"title":"The Realm of Opinion and Judgment","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 15, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Raymond Warfel Download Audio","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":24282,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/love-your-article-on-the-king-james-version-disappointed-in-your-home-page\/","url_meta":{"origin":23709,"position":3},"title":"Love your article on the King James Version. Disappointed in your home page","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 11, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Regarding\u00a0your article on the King James Version: God bless you! How so many in our movement think that the KJV is the only acceptable Bible, I will never understand! Wow! Then I went to\u00a0your home page\u00a0and was SOOOOO disappointed! Answer: Upon what passage in the Bible do you base\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":37798,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-a-divisive-non-member-be-told-not-to-come-to-worship\/","url_meta":{"origin":23709,"position":4},"title":"Should a divisive non-member be told not to come to worship?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 13, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I am a member of a church where there is a split of our church family. This revolves around a man (who is\u00a0not\u00a0a member) who has attended this church as a visitor for many years. He stirs up discord within the church habitually. There was a recent incident of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":92692,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-everything-is-personal-now-and-why-disagreement-is-treated-like-sin\/","url_meta":{"origin":23709,"position":5},"title":"Why Everything Is Personal Now\u2014and Why Disagreement Is Treated Like Sin","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Brad Harrub, Ph.D. We are living in an age when disagreement is no longer viewed as a difference of thought-it is treated as a moral failure. If you don't hold my position, you are not just wrong\u2026you are evil, unloving, or sinful. Every discussion is personal. Every debate is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23709","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23709"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23709\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23709"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23709"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}