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Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36 ESV, Romans 14:1-23 ESV, Psalm 24:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 20:12 ESV
Daily Verse: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” (Romans 14:1 ESV)
DIAKRISIS (1253): “Judicial estimation: discern, discerning, disputation.”[i]
Judicial estimation.
Opinions equal judgments based on someone’s estimation of a thing or situation. We all have them. However, summing up a case based on your criteria doesn’t mean it’s true. Because of our limited knowledge, we must care when making wise decisions. Better to say, “I don’t know,” than to make a wrong assumption.
Often, opinions come with assuming. Because you don’t have all the facts, you fill in the gaps with what seems like reasonable assumptions. Jumping to incorrect conclusions happens when we think we know things we don’t know.
Get the facts.
While teaching tennis camp, one young chap liked to defy the rules. Constantly, I found myself having to remind him of my authority. As a coach, I’ve learned not to make assumptions. Instead of thinking the young man a spoiled brat, I talked to the program director about his behavior. As a result, I learned he had recently lost his mother to cancer. Not even a teenager, my young student had reasons for his behavior.
By learning the facts of the situation, I knew how to deal with it better. Instead of getting frustrated with the student’s behavior, God gave me the patience I needed to provide him with grace. Quarreling doesn’t draw people closer to Christ, but love does.
As you meet people young in the faith, don’t quarrel with them. Instead, learn about them and the circumstances in their life. Then find ways to come alongside them and show them the love of Christ. Help them grow in their faith as they get to know Jesus through your actions.
Opinions don’t equal facts. Find the truth before you make a wrong decision. Don’t let assumptions lead you down the wrong path.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 66) Thomas Nelson
