Why is it important to have personal convictions?

Answer

You reach a fork in the road, a decision that must be made. Will you turn left or right? Will you remain undecided and not take a side? If you hold personal convictions on the matter, you know what you must do. A person with personal convictions is certain that something is true and stands on principle, regardless of the circumstances and consequences. Personal convictions reveal much about a person’s character.

Maintaining personal convictions is crucial to prevent us from being influenced by others’ opinions or blindly following them. Someone lacking personal convictions will be indecisive, easily swayed, and lacking firmness. When the crowd suggests, “Let’s all disobey God,” it requires someone with personal convictions to oppose and say, “No.” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had personal convictions against worshipping false gods, and they stood their ground against the Babylonian pressure, remaining steadfast even in the face of the king’s anger (Daniel 3).

Everyone holds opinions and preferences, but a person with conviction does not shape their beliefs based on selfish motives or personal gain. A person with personal convictions has analyzed the issues and lives purposefully. These individuals are confident in their beliefs and are certain about what truly matters. The apostle Paul anticipated a time when believers would attain spiritual maturity: “We will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” «that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; », (Ephesians 4:14). Part of maturity is having enough person.At conviction to recognize and withstand the false teachings of the day.

Personal convictions should be formed using the Bible as the touchstone. What the Bible promotes, we should have a personal conviction in favor of. What the Bible forbids, we should have a personal conviction against. In this way, the Word of God informs our conscience and is a light to our path «Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. », (Psalm 119:105). Personal convictions should never be based solely on what we “feel” about a matter: “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe” «He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. », (Proverbs 28:26).

Of course, the Bible does not deal directly with every situation. Forming personal convictions on issues not specified in Scripture requires us to search out the guiding principles in the Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17;James 1:5). The Bible does not mention abortion, per se, but it does speak clearly about matters such as murder and the protection of the innocent. When we study and submit to the Word of God, we learn what God says is right or wrong «But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.», (Hebrews 5:14). As we mature in wisdom and judgment, our personal convictions will align with those things that are excellent to God (Philippians 1:9-11;Romans 12:1-2).

Since we’re dealing with personal convictions, there areSome matters on which different believers may hold varying convictions. Not all matters are clear-cut, and not all can be linked to a biblical directive. In such instances, we should allow the principle of love to govern. Paul advises us not to argue “over disputable matters” «Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. », (Romans 14:1) like the consumption of specific foods or the observance of certain days as more sacred. We should hold personal convictions: “Each . . . should be fully convinced in their own mind” (verse 5), while also respecting the convictions of others: “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. . . . Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God” (verses 4 and 6).

Personal convictions are crucial as they help us remain steadfast in a world full of uncertainty and change. We require more individuals with a “moral center” amidst the moral confusion that surrounds us. Personal convictions keep us focused and remind us of what is truly important. They assist us in resisting temptation without compromising. They refine and test our faith.