Why I Don't Care What You Think

...And You Shouldn't Care What I Think

Do you know that I will not go to Heaven based on what you believe? And you will not go to Hell based on what I believe? Each person is individually accountable to the Lord for his or her own life.

Yet, many in the churchworld spend most of their time trying to convince others to believe as they do. There is a difference between man's convincing and the Holy Spirit's conviction - and only one of the two brings forth life unto salvation.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." Matthew 23:15


People argue, debate, plead, and even threaten to get others to side with their positions. Fellowship has become based upon who agrees with "me", not who has been born again by the Spirit of God. Like children in a schoolyard, we segregate and separate ourselves based on whose thinking is like our own.


Is doctrine important? Absolutely! This is not about compromising the truths of God. I am speaking of letting God be God, both in our lives and the lives of others. If our words are true, then God is more than able to confirm them. If our words are false, then they need to be exposed as such, even if just for our own sake. At some point, the wrestling back & forth and arguing over religious issues becomes senseless...and dare I say prideful?

When I say that I don't care what you think, I am not saying that I have no concern about your eternal destiny or relationship with God. I am acknowledging that such things are ultimately not my responsibility. There is a big misconception among many that we are supposed to "save" others. Rather, we are called to be witnesses; and the witness simply reports what he/she knows to be true. We are to preach God's words and whether others receive those words is between them and the Lord. You see then, there is no room left for striving.

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." II Timothy 2:24-26

The problems often creep in when we begin to hold our own understanding as the standard (whether consciously or subconsciously). In doing so, we in essence make ourselves to be God before men and render ourselves unteachable before God. Why? Because we mistakenly believe we have all of the answers.

God is teaching us more about His ways and maturing our understanding of who He is as we walk with Him (Psalm 25:4-5; Matthew 11:29; Hebrews 5:12-14). Do we trust Him to do that in our lives? Do we trust Him to do that in the lives of others? If so, then we should feel NO compulsion to making others "see it our way".

"Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 26:28

Why was this man "almost" a Christian? Because he understood the Gospel as presented by Paul, but he was not convicted by the Holy Spirit of his sin. He was mentally ascending (intellectually) to the truths of the message rather then experiencing an inner conversion wrought by God alone through faith unto repentance. To paraphrase what one sister recently shared, "This is not a matter of understanding with our minds; this is a spiritual work. We can preach until we're blue in the face, but God must quicken them."

No man can come to the Father except the Holy Spirit first draws Him. We must keep in remembrance that serving Jesus Christ is not about people's acceptance of us. We are preaching to captives who need to be set free; not potential members for our social circle.

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." John 16:7-8

God can and does speak through people. However, I am not going to believe something - no matter how convincing it sounds - apart from the confirmation of the Holy Spirit. And neither should I attempt to get others to believe my testimony apart from the same. Conviction of God's truth is the Holy Spirit's role, not mine.

How much of your time is spent trying to convince instead of letting the Holy Spirit convict? Don't waste time or energy beating at the air.

I will speak the words of God as He gives me utterance and not hold my peace. I will stand unwavering for His testimony of truth and point others to Him for deliverance. I will correct error when presented to me and be open myself to His correction. But by the mercies of God, I will grant others the grace to walk in the same freedom God has bestowed upon me; not trying to forge people into my image, but leaving them in God's capable hands to do His perfect work.

It is not our battle...it is the Lord's.