Why should we be careful when: Airing our own Opinions?

What could possibly go wrong?

A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind,
[or only sharing his own opinion].
Proverbs 18:2

Proverbs 18:1-2 (NASB)
1 He who separates himself seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom. [reminds me of Eric and Dylan]
2 A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind.

Proverbs 10:23-25 (NIV)
23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, [reminds me of Virginia Tech shooting]
but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
24 What the wicked dread will overtake them; [Reminds me of Adolf Hitler]
what the righteous desire will be granted.
25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, [The Testimony of Adolf Hitler]
but the righteous stand firm forever.

For the Record: What many interpret as forever, they only relate to this life. And use that as an argument to prove God’s Word is a not true. But they miss the whole point being made.

Standing Firm Forever Begins in this Life, but is fully expressed and more voluminously experienced in the Life Here After.

If critics would only think for a moment, before they speak, they would realize, forever would never be able to apply to this life only, because we don’t live forever. Many of God’s people became martyrs (ever since Abel was killed by Cain) last the hands of those who “found pleasure in wicked schemes”. These Martys died as they witnessed God’s Word, obviously not living forever in this Life. In other words, the righteous are promised treasures, rewards, honor, glory, and God’s favor for ever more, even though they may die as poppers in this world. 

 

Now back to Airing Opinions:

Ever meet someone who seems to demand the attention of others, who loves the spotlight on themselves, but is loathe to share it with anyone else? Do you know someone who demands freedom to share his or her own opinion, but shuts down anyone who wants to share their opinion, especially if it in any way detracts from his or her opinion?

 

Birds of a feather flock together.

Everyone seems to like to share their mind with those who agree with them. The truth is people do not like their views of reality to be tested by the hard metal of the opinions of others. Contrary to popular belief and practice, the safest place to share your opinions is in a group that does not fundamentally agree with you (safe to keep you from getting a big head of pride and arrogance at least to majorly dangerous character traits). It is easy to preach to the choir, especially when they already agree with you, but what actual good are you doing? Because as you know they already agree with you. So what is the point?

If you want to make an impact, share things with those who will disagree with you. 

In the Open Forum of Debate, people tend to cling to those who share their values and beliefs, which is good, but how do they handle someone who comes along and shakes up their warm and fuzzy, safe and comfy worldview? 

Proverbs 18:17 (HCSB)
17  The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.

When sharing about Eternity you will meet men who believe in Karma, Aliens, Past Lives, Reincarnation of Souls, astral travel, chakras, spirit guides, the migration of interloping species (aka, evolution), billions of years, necromancy, and many alternative universe diverse opinions. 

What’s wrong with that?

Actually, nothing is wrong with the sharing of opinions. The problems come when testing opinions, especially those made up out of thin air, false science, or lying religion. Below are some things to consider in this subject.

 

Isaiah 5:21 (HCSB)
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own opinion
and clever in their own sight.

Proverbs 18:13 (KJV)
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it,
it is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 26:5 (NIV)
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.

Proverbs 26:5
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:7 (KJV)
7 The legs of the lame are not equal:
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Proverbs 10:18 (KJV)
18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips,
and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Below is another example of Hebrew Parallelism that on the surface appears to be self-contradictory at first glance, according to the Greek Mindset. But that is the beauty of Parallelism is that you can put two opposing view side by side and begin to see the message appear, between the lines. 

Proverbs 23:9 (HCSB)
9 Don’t speak to a fool,
for he will despise the insight of your words.

Proverbs 23:9 (KJV)
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool:
for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Proverbs 29:20 (KJV)
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words?
there is more hope of a fool than of him.

 

Ecclesiastes 10:12-13 (NASB)
Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; 13 the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness.

 

 

Proverbs 14:5-9 (NASB)
5 A trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness utters lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock at sin,
But among the upright there is good will.