We continue this week with our look at some of the objections offered by individuals who try to avoid any further religious discussions. Again, we are not trying to force our beliefs on anyone, but we are trying to expose these excuses as unjustified and unreasonable, and illustrate the fact that honest hearts will respond positively to the will of God when these excuses are answered and removed.

    This week, we consider the following excuse and how we should answer: ''Well, I know what it says, but I think...'' Usually, this is followed up with a view on some topic or passage that is plainly contradictory to the revealed Word of God, along with some heartfelt explanation about why their opinion should overrule Scripture. It is never considered to be contradictory to God's express will, but that is exactly what it is! When a man approaches an intersection in his car and the light for him is red, it will not matter what he "thinks" it is; if he continues on through the intersection without stopping, there will likely be consequences for his "thinking" that will not be pleasant! He may get a citation for running a red light or he may cause a serious collision with another vehicle whose driver actually had the green light. All the arguing and protestations in the world will not change the fact of the matter, so why should we expect such with the Word of God?

Answer: Those who are sincerely interested in spiritual matters and those who claim to be followers of God's will must recognize that our will, our desires, and our opinions are not the basis of what pleases God. The basic question is this: Whose will reigns supreme? This excuse is really nothing more than a clash of wills and the individuals who are bold enough to make this statement, whether they realize what they are saying or not, are challenging the authority of Jesus Christ. [I am not talking about people who are ignorant of God's will, but those who have seen it and know what it says, but who think it should be different.] Those who offer this as an excuse for their continued disobedience to God's will are basically saying their own "think so" is more important than even the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

    Try using that line of reasoning the next time a police officer pulls you over for speeding. Tell him, "I know what the speed limit is, but I think it should be higher, say exactly five miles per hour slower than what I was driving." Do you think he will defer to your will, while ignoring the law of the land? He will most likely go ahead and write the ticket and then look for other infractions and write you up for those, too! In that setting, we can easily see how foolish such thinking is, so why should we expect Jesus Christ [who will be our Judge, not just a ticket writer] would set aside His own words for our personal desires and opinions? Can we not see that we are figuratively thumbing our noses at the Law of Christ when we say this?

    The apostle Peter wrote, "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Pet. 3:15). There are a couple of things that we should note about this: (1) God expects us to be able to answer for the hope that is within us. That doesn't necessarily mean we must give an explanation for various practices [though it certainly is a good thing], but that we must be able to answer for why we believe Jesus is the Christ and why we believe that eternal life awaits us, and (2) we must make Christ the Lord of our hearts, not self. That means we must be willing set aside our own "think so" and constantly be asking, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" (Acts 9:6) and accept His answer.

    When individuals say, "I know what it says, but I think ," they are elevating themselves to the position of lord of their own heart and setting themselves on the throne, while demoting Christ to a position subservient to their own desires. Friends and brethren, He will not accept that position! He has been made by God to be "the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18). When someone reads or hears the words of Jesus and persists in saying, "But I think," they are making themselves the preeminent one and taking away from Him what God has granted Him alone to have.

    So what will help us to overcome this objection? The only answer we may provide has been given in the previous words, but the real answer lies within the heart of the individual who objected. Where selfish desires once reigned, Christ's will must overcome our own and rule in fact, not just in word. And the means to allowing this? Humility. Not until one humbly submits to the will of Jesus Christ in all things will he or she accept even the easy sayings of Jesus. When even the slightest bit of personal desires is allowed to exist [in spiritual matters], then there will inevitably be a clash and confrontation and the opportunity to disobey His will and practice sin.

    When Paul wrote to the Ephesian brethren, he used the relationship of a husband and wife to illustrate that of Christ and the church. In that illustration, he wrote, "Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything" (Eph. 5:24). Now I know that seems outdated and chauvinistic, but the parallel is complete, if we accept the Word of God for what it is. In those words, note that the women are to be in subjection to their husbands "in everything" just like the church is subject to Christ "in everything." That means we accept His Word as the final word and carry out His commands because He is the head and not self. When we deem ourselves worthy of overruling Him and His Word, we have usurped His authority!

    Again, humility is the key to having a submissive heart. One who believes his or her own will is most important will never submit to the will of God, will never obey, and will likely live a very self-serving life. Contrast this with the Macedonian brethren who were so willing to give of their means, even beyond their ability (2 Cor. 8:1-4). How did they get to the point when they were so self-sacrificial? Let the Word of God tell us: "they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God" (v. 5). Their self-sacrifice is an example for all would-be disciples even today, for it is an exemplary demonstration of what it means to truly give one's self to God.

    Part of the reason this excuse is given goes well beyond the superficial objection based on their personal opinion. Often, it is rooted in a fear of change, an unwillingness or discomfort in admitting wrong, or because of misconceptions or ignorance of how the particular topic harmonizes with other portions of God's will. In such cases, we should root out all of the causes for the objection, making sure they have a solid, reasonable answer that they will not be tempted to use it again. A reasoned, logical, and honest study of Scripture will reveal the truth and the need to obey, and those who are sincere in their desire to follow God at all costs will not hesitate to obey when the truth is presented to them. Though some may initially object and make excuses [such as the one we have considered today, and others], the honest heart will win out and the truth will reign.

    Please do not take offense when you tell me what you "think" about spiritual matters, but I really do not care what you "think" [and neither should you be concerned with what I "think"]; what matters is the word of Jesus Christ (John 12:47, 48). Learn a lesson from Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14), who saw that his own opinion was meaningless to remedy his condition. Obedience was the means to healing for him, and the same is true for us today. No excuses!