Having an opinion about the way things are is pretty common. We see things through our lenses. Some of us try to use our lenses from a Biblical worldview. Others just speak what comes to mind. One thing that bothers me about the Christian community is that people like to throw around Bible verses about judging others. One of the most thrown out sets of verses is found in Matthew 7:3-5. I love to talk about this set of verses because they are used as a defense mechanism to justify one's bad behavior.
Matthew 7:3-5 NASB Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
If you look at the verses in context, it is apparent what their meaning is. Individuals can easily manipulate verses like this on the defense. Let me explain. The intent is the most significant variable in understanding these verses. If you point out someone's faults and you have the same flaws, then you are a hypocrite. You are judging the other person because you are quantifying the sin. When you point out behavior that is counter to what the Bible teaches, it does not always fall on a judgment. Having an opinion about a subject does not mean that you are judging the other person. It is not judging to proclaim that a particular behavior or action is wrong.
Having an opinion is not judging.
When I use the term “having an opinion,” I am merely stating that there may be varying points of view in the conversation. I remember a teacher in school telling the class “facts are a stubborn thing.” There are many Biblical facts that we cannot bend on. Avoiding the topic to be passive and non-confrontational is not how we are supposed to live our life. We are to be bold. God likes us hot or cold, not lukewarm. I am not suggesting that you go out and start arguments with everyone for the sake of being right.
The critical thing to remember in our conversations with others is to be loving. There is a thoughtful way to approach a situation and a confrontational way to get our message out. Jesus told us to love others, and this is how we should approach confrontation; lovingly. Remember facts are a stubborn thing. The way we familiarize ourselves with facts is to read God's word. Having an opinion does not have to be a bad thing. Sometimes having an opinion may be sharing Biblical truths with someone that has no idea they are wrong.