A question on my mind lately...

Question - When did it become "evil" to take a stance and have an opinion?

I have been noticing a trend over the last several years that seems to be more and more prevalent in the world and our society: If you are willing to speak out and take a stance about something, especially in regards to God, theology, and the Bible, many people label you as narrow-minded, conceited, bigoted, and condemned. Ironically, the people that do the labeling do not consider that they are living out the labels they give to others - immediately writing you off and not even slightly considering your point of view. Without taking a second thought, they conform themselves to the very discriminations they perceive of those they condemn. Maybe if these people would openly and honestly consider what they are condemning, even for a moment, they may find their condemnations unfounded and misplaced... but maybe that is what they fear the most - finding out that what they have always held as their system of truth was never true at all. The Bible is clear on matters such as this:

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

(Also see: Esther 3:10-15, 8:5-17; Job 29:16; Daniel 6:9, 14; John 7:51)

1 John 4:1-3 - "1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."

When you feel like writing someone off because of their opinion or beliefs, consider this first... You would be wise to search out the truth of the matter for yourself before forming an opinion and speaking out against them. You may find out that their beliefs are actually rooted and grounded in undeniable truth!

John 8:31-32 - "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

-Stephen