Conviction, Whose Opinion is Right?

People who hold to a strong conviction are often seen as people of principle. Their convictions keep them on a steady course of moving toward their goal of keeping on message and formulating a solid base of ideals.  When you talk to them about their convictions, you get a sense that their convictions are immovable, and intolerable of any other opinion. In the religious realm, there are lines of belief that can divide people over the silliest of reasons.  I want to say that I am a man of conviction. Am I intolerable of others?  No, but usually my convictions are right, and everyone else is wrong. Grin!  Now, just in that statement you can see the problem.  Everyone thinks they are right, and everyone else is wrong.  On certain issues where we know for certain where God’s Word is clearly spelled out, lines of conviction can be made.  However, what if my conviction is based upon my understanding only, does my understanding represent the truth of God for all believers?  Recently, I was confronted with an age old debate about the Holy Spirit and His active presence among us. Does the Holy Spirit still work the same way today as He did in the Book of Acts?  This is a great example of how conviction can get distorted and off base.

For example, if I have an understanding that the gifts of the Holy Spirit ended when the written word was formulated, is that a conviction for the whole Church? What about those in the Church who have experienced the gifts of the Holy Spirit today much like what was recorded in the first century, does that mean the first conviction is null and void?  We can take this argument to many themes throughout the Bible, from eternal security, to all the debates about theology from soup to nuts. So, what does represent the truth?  Do any of these spiritual theories or teachings have more credibility in what the scripture teaches?

That is a good question, so let me give you a few principles of how I discern truth:

1. What does scripture specifically say about an issue?  Is there enough "consistent evidence" in the Bible for or againist a specific theme.  (no one verse doctrines please)
    
2. Is there an intent of scripture to limit or manage a specific work of God from getting out of hand, and causing a problem with others.  (tongues is an example of this in 1 Cor. 14)
    
3. Does the practice of a gift, or teaching, edify the whole body of Christ, or does it serve only a specific theological base?
   
   
4. Does the gift honor God by supporting the message of the cross? (does the practice have an eternal purpose?)
    
5. Do the People who administer the gifts of God in their ministry, do so with a life surrendered to the message of the cross, and dedicated to the Savior in servin others in His Name?

For me it always comes down to the intent of the heart. Why do you believe what you do and for what purpose does your belief serve?  Both sides of any issue have to find a way to honestly look at the purpose of the intent of their beliefs. On the topic “have the gifts ceased?”  I say the following:

People who say the gifts have ended want to manage, and the people who say they are for today want to exhibit the power of the Holy Spirit to influence our world. 

I believe there is wisdom in practicing both.

 Keeping it honest and truthful….K

  ³¹For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,  ³²and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.  ³³For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.  -1 Cor 14:31-33

 ⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  -Hebrews 13:8