When I am against something (or someone), how do I know my convictions are right? - Against - TouchPoints

Daniel 6:10But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

Psalm 119:11I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Acts 4:18-20So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

Our convictions should be based on the authority of God’s Word.

Acts 10:9-20The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.” “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.” But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up to heaven. Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house. Standing outside the gate, they asked if a man named Simon Peter was staying there. Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.”

Acts 11:1-18Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him. “You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!” they said. Then Peter told them exactly what had happened . . . “The Holy Spirit told me to go with them and not to worry that they were Gentiles . . . since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?” When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”

2 Thessalonians 2:15With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

Luke 22:19He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

1 Corinthians 11:1-2, 23-26And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. [2] I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you. [23] For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread [24] and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." [25] In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people-an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it." [26] For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again.

Colossians 2:8Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

Matthew 15:3Jesus replied, "And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?

Acts 26:9-20I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene . . . One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. About noon . . . a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me . . . I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness . . . Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.

In many ways, tradition can help to guide and strengthen our convictions. Some traditions, such as the Lord’s Supper, are grounded in Scripture itself. For centuries, Christians have reminded one another of Christ and his sacrifice through this God-ordained tradition. Other traditions, such as singing “Amazing Grace” in worship, may not be commanded in Scripture or essential for spiritual health, yet can still be a powerful and beautiful way of remembering the truths of our faith. When spiritual fads and false teachings sweep the church, tradition often reminds us of the truth. However, tradition alone is not a solid ground for convictions. The Pharisees built an elaborate tradition around the Old Testament Scriptures that eventually obscured the very truths it claimed to protect. Ultimately, all tradition must be held accountable to the truth of God’s Word. Peter, the other Jewish believers and Saul (Paul) were able to adjust their convictions to align with God’s way as they listened to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We must be willing to do the same.

Philippians 2:3Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Isaiah 37:24-25By your messengers you have defied the Lord. You have said, “With my many chariots I have conquered the highest mountains— yes, the remotest peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars and its finest cypress trees. I have reached its farthest heights and explored its deepest forests. I have dug wells in many foreign lands and refreshed myself with their water. With the sole of my foot, I stopped up all the rivers of Egypt!”

James 4:6, 10And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

Arrogance can be a sign we are against the Lord, not for him.

Proverbs 12:15Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Proverbs 19:20Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.

Proverbs 20:5Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.

1 Corinthians 11:1And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Godly advisors and mentors can help us recognize blind spots in our thinking. They can also be a source of encouragement if we are on the right track. We must be discerning in our choice of advisors though (1 Kings 12:1-19).

James 1:5-6If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. [6] But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

Matthew 7:7-8"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Proverbs 21:2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.

Psalm 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

We can always turn to God with a humble confidence, asking him to reveal any sin or deception lurking in our minds and hearts.

Romans 12:2Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

John 10:4, 14After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. [14] "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,

As we allow God to work in our minds and hearts, and as we continue to seek his will in our lives, we will grow more accustomed to recognizing his voice.

1 Chronicles 27:24Joab son of Zeruiah began the census but never finished it because the anger of God fell on Israel. The total number was never recorded in King David’s official records.

If it becomes clear that what we are doing is against God’s will, then we should leave it unfinished.