Fallible
By Sarah Walker
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Acts 17:10-11 (ESV)
By Sarah Walker
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Acts 17:10-11 (ESV)
Every
single person is fallible. Every single one. Even the people whose opinions we
respect and value the most. Even the most well-intentioned person can lead us
astray.
You see, no one is above reproach at all times. No one gets it right 100% of the time. I don’t. You don’t. My mentors, parents, in-laws, spouse, children, friends, pastor…none of them are infallible. To treat any human being as infallible is to erect an idol. Yes, we still might have God in first position, but when that one other person whom we deeply respect provides us with a direction different than the one we know God has led us to, which way do we go? Whose voice do we listen to more?
Yes, it is hard to walk away from the advice of a trusted friend or mentor, but if, after prayer and the study of the Word, the Holy Spirit draws us down a different path and another focus than that of the person speaking into our life, whom do we follow?
God is and always will be the only infallible one. We are, like the Bereans, to test everything we hear with God’s Word…even if it comes to us from respected sources, like Paul and Silas were to the Bereans. And if the word we received from that person does not agree with God’s Word or with the Holy Spirit’s leading in our life, then we are to graciously discard it, no matter who said it, and no matter how much we desire for it to be true. God’s Word is true. Jesus is the truth. There is no truth higher than that, no matter how reputable our other source may be.
There have been times in my own life where my desire was to follow the advice of a trusted friend, but I knew God was leading me in a different direction. Looking back, it has been incredible to see how God has proven Himself faithful.
Therefore, let us not put others on pedestals and expect them to be perfect, no matter how much we value them and their perspectives. Let us allow grace for others and for ourselves to be wrong…to be fallible…trusting in God alone to be the only infallible one.
You see, no one is above reproach at all times. No one gets it right 100% of the time. I don’t. You don’t. My mentors, parents, in-laws, spouse, children, friends, pastor…none of them are infallible. To treat any human being as infallible is to erect an idol. Yes, we still might have God in first position, but when that one other person whom we deeply respect provides us with a direction different than the one we know God has led us to, which way do we go? Whose voice do we listen to more?
Yes, it is hard to walk away from the advice of a trusted friend or mentor, but if, after prayer and the study of the Word, the Holy Spirit draws us down a different path and another focus than that of the person speaking into our life, whom do we follow?
God is and always will be the only infallible one. We are, like the Bereans, to test everything we hear with God’s Word…even if it comes to us from respected sources, like Paul and Silas were to the Bereans. And if the word we received from that person does not agree with God’s Word or with the Holy Spirit’s leading in our life, then we are to graciously discard it, no matter who said it, and no matter how much we desire for it to be true. God’s Word is true. Jesus is the truth. There is no truth higher than that, no matter how reputable our other source may be.
There have been times in my own life where my desire was to follow the advice of a trusted friend, but I knew God was leading me in a different direction. Looking back, it has been incredible to see how God has proven Himself faithful.
Therefore, let us not put others on pedestals and expect them to be perfect, no matter how much we value them and their perspectives. Let us allow grace for others and for ourselves to be wrong…to be fallible…trusting in God alone to be the only infallible one.
GOING
DEEPER:
Whose voice are you following in your life: the voice of God, or that of another person? Remove any idols in your life and put God back in first position.
Whose voice are you following in your life: the voice of God, or that of another person? Remove any idols in your life and put God back in first position.
FURTHER READING:
Romans 3:23; Matthew 22:37-38
Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott are involved in a small group focused on prayer.
Romans 3:23; Matthew 22:37-38
Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott are involved in a small group focused on prayer.
