5 Ways to Develop Your Own Convictions

  So, I told you all when I posted my 'list' that I was going to go over some of the things on the list and explain to you why I stand where I stand. But after some thought, I decided that it doesn't really matter why I stand where I stand. The important thing is . . . do you know why you stand where you stand?
   If there were things on my list that you'd really like to hear my thoughts on, go ahead and mention it in the comments, and I'll be sure to share with you all, but for now, I'd like to focus on you.
     Obviously, if you're going to be getting married, you should have a list of convictions in mind BEFORE you start dating . . . or even BEFORE you meet someone who could be an option. Because, if you wait to decide what is important to you till AFTER you've met someone, then you'll automatically make your list of requirements based off of that person, instead of the Scripture.
 
     Marriage aside, we should know what we believe and why. I've spent time working with other believers in a variety of ministries, and it seems that everywhere I go, there are godly, committed believers who have different convictions than I do. Why? Are they sinning, or am I being legalistic? Or is something a sin for one and not for another? I remember one summer working with a godly girl who disagreed with me on pretty much EVERYTHING, and we enjoyed some great conversations as we discussed our differences. If I didn't know why I stand where I stand, it would have ruined me. I would have come away confused, disoriented, and questioning everything I believe. As it was, it simply strengthened my convictions. The key, is to know WHY you believe.

 So, how do you develop your own convictions? Here are six ways I find to be extremely helpful in developing convictions that you can stand by.

 1.  What Does the Bible Say? When something is clearly stated in the Bible, follow it. When it says 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' you don't have to stress over whether or not to honor your parents because God made it clear. There are a LOT of things that the Bible makes clear. When it says in 2 Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye NOT unequally yoked together with un-believers . . ." We don't have to stress over whether it's okay to date an unsaved person, because the Bible makes it clear that it's NOT okay. Mathew 5:32 says, "And whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. . ." So, we don't have to debate whether it's okay to marry a divorced person because the Bible makes it clear that it's adultery.
   What about the areas that the Bible doesn't give specifics? Like music. The Bible does NOT say . . . "Thou shalt not listen to CCM." However, even in these areas where the Bible doesn't have a clear cut line, it DOES have clear cut principles. Search the Scriptures for principles. This is where a lot of confusion comes in, because people can interpret principles in different ways. But the Scripture has basic principles for everything. Which leads to point two.

  2. Choose Whatever Gives God the Most Glory. Biblical principles can be defined in different ways, but we should always choose the path that gives God the most glory. Our lives are short, 'but a vapor', James says, and EVERYTHING we do, in word or deed should bring glory to God. We're commanded to do ALL for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) Something I find disturbing when I hear people discussing things like dress, music, language, etc, is how they often ask . . . "What's wrong with this thing?" When that's not really the point. The point is to bring ALL glory to God. We should be asking ourselves . . . "How can I glorify God the most through this?" We get so caught up in our rights, and what makes us look popular, and fit in, that we miss the point. We're not here to fit in. We're here to glorify God. If dressing a certain way to fit in is simply to fit in, then it's not really for God's glory, and we're commanded to do ALL for HIS glory. It's not about us, and what makes us feel good, it's ALL about HIM, and how we can best glorify HIM.

  3. As MUCH as Possible, Don't Offend Other Believers. We're commanded to, as much as possible, "to live peaceably with ALL men." (Romans 12:18) There are things that might not seem "wrong" to you, but if they're causing problems for other Christians, then it's probably not glorifying God. God wants us to 'keep the peace' so too speak, so if you're offending other believers, then you're probably not glorifying God.

 4. Don't Follow the Christians Who Are Following the World. My dad talked to some missionaries who were away for four years, then back to furlough, then away for four years, then back in the States. And they said that every time they came back, they were shocked at how the church had slipped. The church today, is doing what the world did ten years ago. The church today, is embracing the things that they preached against twenty years ago. Why? Are we chasing the world? The truth is, the committed believer, won't follow the world, but when the less committed Christian goes towards the world, then the committed Christian, can follow the worldly Christians. We don't look at the world and say we want to do what they do, but we look at worldly Christians, and BECAUSE they're a Christian, we assume whatever they do is okay. Because we don't want to believe that a fellow Christian is sinning. When in fact, we Christians do sin, but we don't have to follow other Christians sin. It's easy to look at another believer and question what they're doing, but remember, we're NOT all at the same level of knowledge. If you've had a godly home all your life, and godly grandparents who've been glorifying God for generations, you can't expect yourself to have the same convictions as someone who is a first-generation Christian, and saved from a worldly life. We need to be patient with new believers, and gracious, but at the same time, we don't have to change our convictions to fit theirs.

5. Prayer. James 1:5 says that if we lack wisdom, we're to ask! God doesn't want us to be confused, and He WILL give wisdom. He WILL give understanding. Proverbs talks about seeking wisdom and understanding. It IS important to seek wisdom.


Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.