Something which has often baffled me is how people can change their beliefs. I’m not talking about those who are honestly searching for answers, but people who already had the right answers and stood firmly with God’s clear and plain teachings; people who have already put extensive thought and study into God’s commands on a topic. Then sadly, they decide to abandon logic and reason for feeling and emotion. These people feel like they need to revaluate their views because they are no longer popular or it separates someone they love from God. One moment they stand firm with God’s teachings in Scripture, the next moment they change and rely on their own thoughts.
Merrit Malloy once said, “Compromising is simply changing the question to fit the answer.” For a variety of reasons, people have decided they no longer like the answer God gives in Scripture. In turn, they decide to change the question to fit the answer they want to hear. People have inserted fallible, human thoughts such as, “I just don’t think God would condemn people for this”, and “This makes me happy, and God wants me to be happy, so it must be ok.”
The question is no longer, “What does God say,” but instead, “What do I think?” The question no longer asks, “What does God want,” but now asks, “What do I want?” Some no longer inquire, “How does God feel about this,” but instead ask, “How do I feel about this?”
It is an extremely tragic situation when our thoughts and opinions are placed above God’s. It should never be this way. God’s commands are firm and steadfast. God’s commands do not at all depend on our feelings. God’s commands are the standard, the tape measure, the rulebook, and the roadmap.
God clearly states that He has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). This includes commands on worship, church organization, and salvation. God plainly tells us not to change or adjust anything in Scripture (Revelation 22:18-19; Proverbs 30:6; Galatians 1:6-9). God blatantly explains that the way that we think is right leads us only to death (Proverbs 14:12); we are terrible guides! And perhaps most convincing of all, God openly explains that we simply don’t think the way He does (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Therefore, it doesn’t matter what my thoughts are. It doesn’t matter what my feelings are. It doesn’t matter what I want. It doesn’t even matter if I agree with the rules. The only thing that matters is what God says, thinks, feels, and commands us to do. Let’s stop changing the questions to fit the answers we want. Let’s stop compromising our religious convictions for personal feelings and desires. Instead, let’s stand firm, steadfast, and immovable upon God’s clear, perfect, and sound teachings!
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