A Plea to Self-Edit: Trading Opinion for Conviction

Our culture is one of noise. Noisy opinions and messy chatter are splattered across the internet and, oftentimes, inch their way into our everyday conversations. Hidden behind the guise of compassion or conviction, many simply seek to carelessly spread opinions. Opinions are easy to make but quick to change. Consequently, opinions never create lasting transformation.What “noise” have we as Christians been contributing to the world’s dialogue. In a culture marred by the chatter of opinions, are we carefully discerning the difference between opinions and convictions? Are we able to differentiate them in our own lives enough to identify and speak truth? Or, are we simply adding to the noise?God’s truth leads us to convictions that bring solutions. What we say, what we read, and what we post matters. There is an anointing for change when a conviction leads to active solutions to the world’s problems. However, we often allow our desire to be known, to be heard, or even to be appreciated to drive our lives. As a result, we grow reckless with the power we truly hold as children of God.

Related Post: Question Yourself!

Self-Editing

Let me make a plea (and this is to myself as well!), as Jesus people, we must self-edit. A deep and genuine self-evaluation of what is good, wholesome, and edifying in our lives is essential.

How do we practically self-edit? Let’s start with some scriptural guidelines:

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” - Ephesians 4:29“Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” - 1 Timothy 6:20“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18So, what does this mean? It means things like…

• Don’t ever tear another person down with your words (even those with opposing political beliefs).
• If a problem does not personally involve someone, don't share it with them.
• Verbally extend grace to those who don’t deserve it.
• Avoid noisy, opinion-filled, chatter on social media.
• Choose to focus on and acknowledge the honorable, the pure, and the positive.
• Seek to contribute wisdom formed on the convictions of God’s Word and His Spirit.
• Sometimes, be silent.

It’s not that we should NEVER contribute to the dialogues parading the culture. But when we do, we must ensure the Holy Spirit, not our personal feelings or opinions, guides our words with truth-filled convictions. We must edit our words to serve as part of the solution, not the problem.