9 Sermon Illustrations on Opinions

How far would Moses have gone if he had taken a poll in Egypt?

What would Jesus Christ have preached if he had taken a poll in the

land of Israel? What would have happened to the Reformation if Martin

Luther had taken a poll? It isn't polls or public opinion of the

moment that counts. It is right and wrong and leadership.

- Harry S. Truman

I imagine a man must have a good deal of Vanity who believes, and a good deal of Boldness who affirms, that all the doctrines he holds are true; and all he rejects are false. And perhaps the same may be said of every Sect, Church and Society of men when they assume to themselves that infallibility which they deny to Popes and Councils. I think Opinions should be judged of by their Influences and Effects.

-- Benjamin Franklin

Perspective: “Be kind and affectionate to one another with brotherly love” (Romans 12:10, Paraphrase).

An American visitor in England was driving with a British friend who made a remark about the windscreen of his car needing to be cleaned.

“You mean the windshield, don’t you?” said the American.

“No, over here, we call it the windscreen,” the Englishman said.

“Then you are wrong,” the American corrected, “because we invented the automobile and we call it a windshield.”

“That is quite true,” countered the Englishman, “but don’t forget who invented the language?”

All of us are the sum total of our past experiences and see things through the lenses shaped by our background. If we would only realize this, many of us wouldn’t be as dogmatic as we sometimes are.

In conflict situations or where there is a difference of opinion we need to say, “This is the way I see it,” and then ask the other person, “And how do you see it?” Not always, but often the truth is somewhere between the two. Remember, too, it is a very insecure person who is dogmatic and always has to be right.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, whenever I have a difference of opinion with another person, help me to be gracious and try to see things from his/her viewpoint. If I still disagree, please help me to do it agreeably. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

‘Tis with our judgments as our watches, none

God just alike, yet each believes his own.

* * *

Of all the causes which conspire to blind

Man's erring judgment, and misguide the mind,

What the weak head with strongest bias rules,

Is pride, the never-failing vice of fools.

* * *

A little learning is a dang’rous thing; [adapted from Publilius Syrus?)

Drink deep, or tast not the Pierian spring:

There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,

And drinking largely sobers us again.

* * *

And if the means be just, the conduct true,

Applause, in spight of trivial faults, is due.

* * *

Some praise at morning what they blame at night;

But always think the last opinion right.

* * *

All seems infected that th’infected spy,

As all looks yellow to the jaundiced eye.

* * *

For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

* * * [following appears to be apocryphal]

Convince you may a fool against his will,

He’ll have always the same opinion still.