Eric’s Life Lesson # 81: “Basing my beliefs, and actions, on the unknown tends to leave me error-prone.”
“Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.” (Romans 3:4 BSB)
“For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” (2 Corinthians 8:12 BSB)
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6a BSB)
Over the last 2 or 3 years I have become acutely aware of just how easy it has been for me to develop beliefs, even doctrines and theologies, based on trying to explain experiences that I don’t understand. Too often I determine my actions on what I don’t have rather than on what I have. When life takes a turn that makes no sense, the temptation is to create an explanation. Over time that explanation becomes a core value which in turn shapes the way I see life.
One of the times when I have the greatest temptation to create an explanation based on the unknown is when someone becomes terminally ill or dies. Especially when it is unexpected, or the person is young. Somehow formulating a way of understanding brings a form of comfort. I want so badly to understand that I create doctrines, theologies, and/or religious beliefs to satisfy my “need to know.” Before long these ideas become the filter through which I interpret the Word of God. Over time this filter becomes my “tradition” which distorts the Truth and renders the Word powerless in my life.
Have you ever caught yourself saying something, and as it was coming out of your mouth a voice inside you called out, “That isn’t true?” I have. Maybe I first heard what I was saying from someone I look up to. Maybe from a parent, teacher, or pastor. Maybe I read it in a book, or heard it in a song. Maybe it is a commonly held viewpoint that I have listened to from all of those sources. More and more I am hearing that inner voice (the Holy Spirit) challenging, and correcting, many of these commonly held views (traditions) that when examined are not rooted in the clear teachings of scripture. They have been developed over time to try to fill the gaps between what I read in God’s Word and what I experience in life. It is far too easy to put the cart before the horse and interpret scripture through experience rather than conform experience to scripture.
I hope you will benefit with me as together we prayerfully consider…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 81: “Basing my beliefs, and actions, on the unknown tends to leave me error-prone.”