It's amazing how many people I know that profess to love God express opinions that are contrary to His will. I could probably fill up several pages in several volumes of books with false opinions, but the most prominent category of opinions is the condition of the church. Too many people want to express their views of how the church should be run (Anything from the color of the carpet to "If a preacher loves the Lord, he would do it for free"), and yet their views don't come from any place in scripture but of their own mindset, fleshliness, and, at times, jealousy. Many of us (I include myself) harbor these thoughts because we would rather have God on our terms, than to actually live the sacrificial life that Scripture calls us to. This is why many of our complaints are unbiblical and unspiritual. James calls it worldly wisdom which, in his words, are "earthly, unspiritual, demonic" (James 3:15).
Our walk with Christ must be summed up by this: obedience and submission to His will. When we have died to the flesh, our opinions and thoughts that are contrary to God's will should die too. It's why the Apostle Paul encourages us to take each and every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Our rebellion, our disobedience is the sin that separates us from God, doing things our way. Jesus Christ lived as one of us, obedient to the Father in every way, and made that all atoning sacrifice that we may live forever in and with Him. Shouldn't we, then submit our lives to His example, His will, and His sacrifice, so that we can be like Him? If we can't offer our opinions and attitudes on the altar of God's grace, I doubt we truly know Jesus Christ at all. His life was submission to the Father, and so ours needs to be as well.
James 3:1-18
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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