Todd Hiestand

That little voice in your head is not always the Holy Spirit

December 21, 2005

• views: 44

“I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something just didn’t seem right…”

“I’m not sure what it was, but something was just off…”

These are two statements that I have heard or read numerous times. Usually, on a blog or in its comments, the person is referring to their first impression or opinion of a book, theology, denomination, church service, person, etc. It’s statement that says, “there is a red flag here and we need to think this whole thing through.”

When we are in places that are new, different and uncomfortable to us these thoughts obviously normal. I don’t know how many times I have read type of statement in the comments on blogs that are taking a stand against some “new” theology or different form of church.

I think too often (not always), we take these thoughts and feelings and then simply stop thinking. The thought process goes something like this:

1. This is different.

2. This doesn’t feel right.

3. This is wrong.

I’d like to propose a different way of processing things we come across that are new and different.

What if we simply added a few lines here…

1. This is different (unless we are hermits, we’ll find ourselves here)

2. This doesn’t feel right. (this is legitimate, new almost always doesn’t “feel right.”)

2a. Does it not feel right because there is something morally wrong here?

2b. Does it not feel right because there is something obviously biblically wrong here?

2c. Does it not feel right mainly because this is different to me and I am not used to it.

2d. Did really hear what this person was saying or are we speaking the same words but in two different languages.

3. This might be right / wrong. (Only after we have take a good look at ourselves, our traditions and finally the text can we even begin to declare something right or wrong. I say “might be” because more often than not, the area is a gray area that is, well, gray. Of course, this is not to say that there are not black and white issues, but most often they are).

So often, I think we take our first impression (or we hear someone say something and we think we “know what they meant”) and shut down our brains.

“Something doesn’t feel right” is not a valid reason to call something “unbiblical” or “heretical.” These kinds of words are very, very strong indictments towards the family of Christ. They should be used ever so lightly.

It’s okay not to like something “just because” it is different. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and can like whatever they want. But to declare something as “wrong” because something seems off, without taking a look at your own baggage, is plain wrong.

That little voice in your head is not always the Holy Spirit… sometimes its your own bias and fears…

(what do you think? This make sense? Am I missing something here?)