Song: ”Put GOD First” by SoulFireGospel

Good morning and welcome to another “Starting Our Day Together: A Few Minutes To Get The Day Started In The Right Direction”.

Here’s a thought I want you to carry with you today: If you’re firm in what you believe, a difference of opinion shouldn’t shake you.

We live in a time when disagreement is often treated like disrespect.

Somebody sees something differently, and immediately we feel like we have to defend ourselves, prove them wrong, or convince them to see things our way.

But I want to suggest something this morning:

The stronger your conviction, the less threatened you should be by somebody else’s opinion.

If you know what you believe and more importantly, why you believe it, you don’t have to become angry every time somebody disagrees with you.

Conviction Is Different From Insecurity

There is a difference between being firm and being fragile.

Something firm can withstand pressure.

Something fragile has to be protected from pressure because the slightest force might break it.

Sometimes we think we are defending our convictions when what we are really defending is our insecurity.

We raise our voices.

We become defensive.

We take disagreement personally.

We feel compelled to get the last word.

But truth doesn’t become less true because somebody disagrees with it.

And your convictions don’t become less meaningful because somebody else doesn’t share them.

Paul gives us an important perspective in Romans 14.

The believers in Rome were disagreeing over certain practices and matters of conscience.

Yet Paul reminded them that ultimately every believer answers to God.

Romans 14:12 says: “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” –  Romans 14:12 (ESV)

That changes the conversation.

I am responsible for walking faithfully before God. And you are responsible for walking faithfully before God.

That doesn’t mean truth is relative. It doesn’t mean every opinion is equally correct.

And it certainly doesn’t mean we should never challenge error.

It means I don’t have to be threatened simply because you disagree with me.

You Can Disagree Without Becoming Disagreeable

One sign of maturity is learning how to sit across the table from somebody who sees the world differently and still treat that person with dignity.

Think about Jesus.

Jesus encountered people who disagreed with Him constantly.

Religious leaders challenged Him.

Political groups questioned Him.

His own disciples sometimes misunderstood Him.

Yet Jesus never appeared insecure about who He was or what He believed.

He could answer a question.

He could challenge falsehood.

He could remain silent.

He could walk away.

Why? Because His identity wasn’t dependent upon winning every argument.

And neither should ours be.

Some conversations require a response.

Some require patience.

And some require enough wisdom to say, “We simply see this differently.”

That is not weakness. Sometimes that is maturity.

Know the Difference Between Conviction and Preference

Here is another important question: Is the thing upsetting me actually a biblical conviction or simply my personal preference?

Those aren’t always the same thing.

 Some Christians have turned preferences into principles and then treat everybody who disagrees with those preferences as though they were disagreeing with God.

We need enough humility to ask: What does Scripture actually say?

Second Timothy 1:13 tells us: “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Notice that combination: Truth and love.

Biblical conviction doesn’t require arrogance.

You can stand firmly for truth and still speak graciously.

You can say, “I believe this is right,” without saying, “And therefore I have to disrespect everybody who disagrees with me.”

Don’t Let Every Opinion Have Access to Your Peace

Here’s something else worth remembering today: Everybody is entitled to an opinion, but everybody’s opinion is not entitled to control your emotions.

Somebody may misunderstand you.

Somebody may criticize you.

Somebody may question a decision you made.

Somebody may even think you’re completely wrong.

You cannot build your peace around everybody agreeing with you.

Because if agreement is necessary for your peace, then you’ve given other people control over your peace.

Paul says in Galatians 1:10: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?”

That’s the question.

Am I trying to live faithfully before God—or am I trying to create a world where everybody approves of me?

Because those are two very different goals.

Listen Without Being Shaken

And here’s the balance.

Being firm in what you believe doesn’t mean becoming closed-minded.

A mature person can listen.

In fact, sometimes somebody who disagrees with you may point out something you haven’t considered.

You can listen without surrendering your convictions.

                You can ask questions without abandoning your position.

You can even discover that you were wrong about something without losing your identity.

Conviction says, “I know what I believe.”

Humility says, “But I’m still willing to listen.”

And wisdom knows we need both.

Something to Think About Today

So as you move through your day, remember this: Different people will have different perspectives.

Not everybody is going to understand you.

Not everybody is going to agree with you.

And not everybody needs to.

Know what you believe.

Know why you believe it.

Make sure your convictions are grounded in truth rather than ego.

Listen when others speak.

Respond with grace.

And when disagreement comes, don’t allow somebody else’s opinion to knock you off the foundation you’ve already settled in your heart.

Because if you’re firm in what you believe, a difference of opinion shouldn’t shake you.

You don’t have to win every argument.

You don’t have to answer every criticism.

And you don’t have to convince everybody.

Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is simply remain grounded.

Stand firm in truth.

Walk in grace.

Listen with humility.

And leave room for people to disagree.

That’s something to think about this morning.

Have a blessed day.