By Todd Paetznick, February 1, 2024

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

And He will make your paths straight. 

(Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB20)

Step 2 on our way to straight paths: Do not lean on your own understanding.

In the modern world, there are two common situations where we must set aside what we believe to be the best course of action and instead act on God’s instruction.  The first situation is a reliance on the opinions of experts to inform our decisions and actions.  Second are opinions that are warped by our personal desires.   This week, we will look at how experts’ opinions can lead us into doing morally wrong things.  

Good Opinions

Some expert opinions are good, wise, and useful.   There are people who work to become experts in a field, do the hard work of studying and researching, and offer good advice and service.  Their opinions should be given serious consideration.  But, just because the opinion of a well-studied and qualified expert exists does not give us permission to check our brains at the door.  We need to think and use our own wisdom and experience to determine whether expert advice should be followed or another path taken.  

Moral Opinions

Sometimes, experts’ opinions include a moral component that can conflict with biblical instruction.  A strong knowledge of biblical teaching will help us discern whether an expert opinion has a moral component — right or wrong — and whether the advised course of action follows our beliefs.  A moral decision is one where the Bible says we should do something or refrain from doing something else.  The most well-known moral statements are the Ten Commandments, but there are other biblical commands and case studies as well.  For example, the Bible forbids the exploitation and oppression of widows, orphans, and aliens. An expert opinion might show how taking advantage of vulnerable people can lead to business success, but the Christ-follower should reject such advice.  

Deceptive Opinions

Expert opinions can sometimes be deceptive.  We may agree with the opinions of a particular person or organization.  Because we have agreed with the person or organization in the past, we may be biased and more receptive to their future opinions.  Then, they sneak in an opinion that contradicts biblical morality, calling an action morally right when the Bible teaches it as being wrong.  The situation may even cause us to question what we believe.  Be aware that this is a Satanic tactic that is most effective.   

Jesus’ first recorded temptation occurred when Satan challenged Him to prove he was the Son of God.  Satan suggested that He turn rocks into bread to satisfy His hunger.  Jesus had been in the wilderness and had not eaten for forty days at this point in the story (Luke 4:3-4).  Where was the sin in making bread?  Jesus was hungry, after all.  We may not see anything wrong with eating to satisfy hunger; frankly, there would have been nothing wrong with eating bread.  But Jesus recognized there was more going on than merely satisfying hunger.  The error would have been His failure to trust God for His life.  Jesus’ reply to Satan was telling, “It is written: ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE’” (Luke 4:4 NASB20).  

To many of us, Jesus’ response is curious.  If not bread alone, He could turn another rock into a piece of fruit, some vegetables, or a steak.  What did Jesus’ response have to do with satisfying His hunger or proving that He was the Son of God, we wonder?  Too often in our own lives, we miss the attitude behind the action. We follow the letter of the biblical law but miss its spirit.   Jesus recognized the error would have been presuming to know better than God what He needed to survive.  Had Jesus relied on His ability to save His life and make bread out of rocks, He would have demonstrated He did not fully trust God.  He would have relied on Himself and His own abilities, which is exactly what many of us do.  

Jesus set an example for us; He did not lean on His own understanding or do what we may have thought best in the situation.  He did not give in to Satan’s deception.  Instead, Jesus leaned on God, trusting His heavenly Father for His life.  Jesus had faith that His life would not end until God said it was over.  No amount of hunger would result in death without God’s okay.  God controls every circumstance and is sovereign, even over life and death.  Jesus knew this, and we need to remember it as well.