Opinion, Conviction and Truth

Over the past two weeks, CGs have been preaching about convictions, specifically, personal convictions. During last week's Zone G service, Garrett preached a great message about convictions.

Convictions are very powerful. To be able to say that you are convicted about something is a powerful statement in itself. Yet many people live their lives without convictions.

What are convictions? I asked myself this question just before writing this entry about convictions. What are convictions, what are my convictions and why am I convicted about these things?

The ever-reliable dictionary.com defines conviction a fixed or firm belief, or the state of being convinced. A fixed or firm belief, something that you are convinced about. So, what am I convicted about?

I’m convinced about many things in life. I’m convinced that God is real; this is my fixed and firm belief that nothing and no one can shake me out of. I’m convinced because I’ve seen God work in my life, I’ve heard Him speak to my heart and I’ve seen Him work in other people’s lives. Having a multitude of people who share your convictions usually helps.

Then I started asking myself, assuming everyone in church is of this fixed and firm belief that God is real, why then do people backslide so easily?

This is what I concluded.

Their convictions are not real, they are simply opinions. Once again, dictionary.com defines an opinion as a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty. People come to church, seeing all the lights, the great music and atmosphere, tasting the presence of God for the very first time, and they form the opinion that God is real. The grounds of which this opinion is formed is still raw and most definitely insufficient. Hence, these opinions lack complete certainty. In the same way, most non-believers are of the opinion that God does not exist, or that many gods co-exist.

I believe that opinions need to be tested, argued and dealt with logically. I get excited whenever I meet someone who is not entirely convinced that God is real, and that He is the only God in existence, because that is an opportunity for me to share my convictions. Having the opinion that God exists, without any real grounds to back it up, is like planting a seed in cotton wool; the seedling grows up to 5cm max, weak and easily shaken. This is why I don’t try and ‘convert’ people. I don’t believe in ‘conversion’, I believe in conviction. I want to show you why I believe in God, be it in word or action, and whether you believe or not is a choice you can make for yourself. That makes it more real.

Having said this, God is not something that you can argue out logically, at least not entirely. He works by seeing then believing. But that’s another story for another day.

Opinions have to be tested and proven before they become convictions. Convictions are firm and fixed. And as your convictions grow strong, backed up with evidence and sustainable grounds, they become truth, a verified and indisuputable fact.

Once, I shared Christ to one of my best friends, who happens to be a Muslim. I shared with her about this God, who knew us even before we were formed, who planned for our lives, who understood the sufferings, afflictions and weaknesses of Man and sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us so that our sins can be redeemed. I shared about Jesus, who loved all as He did Himself, whose love, selflessness and obedience led to the salvation of mankind, who had so much love for people, He even prayed for the very people who crucified Him.

Her reply was, ‘Wow, if only that were all true.’

That’s my conviction, my truth, but simply her opinion of what would be a great conviction and truth.

Can you see the difference?

Don’t be satisfied being of the opinion that God is real. Be ready to turn your opinions into convictions, and you will see your convictions becoming truth.