Don’t you just love opinions? Everyone has one. The word opinion is defined as “a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.” With this definition in mind, I will gladly tell you that I hate opinions😀.
As a pastor, I and my family have had our share of scrutiny. People’s opinions have been from one extreme to another. One would say that I was a dictator while another would say I was a weak leader. One would say I longed to obey God while another thought I was a compromiser. One would say my family was great while another would say it was going to Hell in a hand basket. Opinions are most often formed with little to no knowledge of the full situation. My family and I have had our motives judged. What qualifies you or me to judge someone’s motives? The only One who can accurately see my heart and judge accordingly is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the righteous standard, and He will not give two cents for someone else’s opinion of me or you when we stand before Him.
You may say that it is good to gather opinions. That’s great if you are picking clothing to wear. Once again, that is often based on someone’s likes and dislikes. What you and I need is godly counsel. You don’t need to go to someone about relationship advice who is extremely negatively opinionated. Some people are quick to tell you to get a divorce or break up with someone. Great conflict resolution skills, right? Don’t go to every loud mouth who freely gives his or her opinion. Find someone who walks with God and can give you a word from the Lord. Better yet, pray about it. Even if it is something as basic as who to purchase car insurance from, pray about it. Learn how to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit before you give your ear to Loudmouth Lucy.
I have gotten bad advice from people who gave opinions. Save yourself the heartache and wasted time by cracking your Bible open, studying it, and praying until you hear God speak. You’ll be glad you did.
Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) 
I feel like some people forget this piece of scripture conveniently when it suits them…
The scripture comes from:
Matthew 7 New International Version (NIV)
Judging Others
7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Isn’t it funny that this scripture is named after you Pastor Matthew? Lol. (Just a side joke)
But on a serious note:
Pointing fingers is easy…but when the same fingers start pointing back at those that pointed at you in the first place… we get silence in the room. In your case all you have to do is take it as a lesson of sharpening your discernment in figuring out who essentially is for you and who is not, because your destiny is just too great to accommodate and entertain the critics.
I’ve learned in my personal journey that sometimes you need such people in life to keep you humble but it also helps to strengthen your spiritual discernment and humility to not become like one of these people. Be encouraged and fight the food fight of faith regardless of the critics. God Bless.
Sherline 😁😉
Amen,Matthew!
Relationship advice and opinions about our families are THE WORST. Somebody smart once told me, anything that begins with “you need to..” or “you should do something about….” is designed to hand off their own anxiety and trigger yours. Like, “you need to divorce him!” Or, “you need to do something about those kids!” When Peter does this to Jesus, He doesn’t mince words and says, “get behind me Satan.” Ha! Be kind of fun to just say that to some people, but a nicer way to put it, is to say, “come alongside me or get behind me.”
Opinions aren’t always helpful and people aren’t aware of the damage they can cause with them.
Reblogged this on The Audacity Of Faith and commented:
I can’t agree less with you on this sir. You really did justice on this and God bless you abundantly
Thanks so much!
God bless you Pastor
I can’t agree less with you on this sir. You really did justice on this and God bless you abundantly