Opinions and beliefs are meant to be evaluated in the light of truth. What did happen? What do you think and believe? How do you judge people or your situation? Finally, is what you think true and righteous, or false and sinful? Instead of posing these sorts of questions, “I feel that…” ducks conscious evaluation of my ideas and judgments. What I feel just is. True-for-me replaces truth. The Bible has devastating things to say about leaning on your own understanding, about being wise in your own eyes, about the way that seems right to a man, and about people who delight in airing their opinions (see Prov. 3:5; 3:7; 14:12; 18:2).
— David Powlison (1949–2019), Seelsorger, Theologe, Dozent und Autor der biblischen Seelsorgebewegung (CCEF)
Related Bible passage: PRO.3.5
Topics: Wisdom & Understanding, Freedom & Truth, Humility & Pride
Occasions: For Reflection
David Powlison
David Powlison (1949–2019) war ein US-amerikanischer evangelikal-reformierter Seelsorger, Theologe und langjähriger Leiter der Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). Er prägte die Weiterentwicklung der biblischen Seelsorgebewegung hin zu einem gnadenorientierten Ansatz, stieß mit seiner Abgrenzung von säkularer Psychotherapie und Psychiatrie jedoch auch auf fachliche Kritik. Für Bibelleser veranschaulicht sein Werk, wie theologische Aussagen der Schrift auf persönliche Lebenskrisen, seelische Nöte und zwischenmenschliche Konflikte bezogen werden können.
All quotes by David Powlison (36)
A drop of love is worth more than an ocean of reason.
Blaise Pascal
Love keeps no record of wrongs, but bitterness keeps detailed accounts.
Craig Groeschel
The devil is a better theologian than any of us, and he is still a devil.
A.W. Tozer
Discipline is choosing what you want most over what you want now.
Craig Groeschel
Humility is so shy. If you begin talking about it, it leaves.
Tim Keller
Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy. It's only that.
Fyodor Dostoevsky
C.S. Lewis
Martin Luther