Fact or Opinion?

In a recent leadership meeting, Kevin and Susan Fletcher spoke to us about our “hard drive”, and how we process information. I thought I would share a couple of nuggets with you today that ministered to me.

Did you know that just like a computer, we as human beings have a hard drive? What is that? It’s our core belief system. This system was formed in each of us the same way – our past experiences, how we were brought up as a child, our culture, circumstances, what was imparted to us through teachers, parents, friends, television, pastors, Sunday school teachers, books, grandparents … .well, you get the picture. Our hard drive has been programmed by many variables in our lives. It is through our hard drive that we relate to one another.

The greatest gifts that God gives us are PEOPLE. RELATIONSHIPS. We HAVE TO recognize that the enemy of our souls is going to attack in any way possible to bring hurt, offense, strife, misunderstanding, and ultimately a complete separation in what is meant to be our greatest blessings. And if we don’t recognize his tactics, as well as, acknowledge and accept responsibility for our own hard drive, our relationships are going to be in serious danger of blowing up.

Relationally speaking, we deal with two main categories: facts and opinions. Facts are indisputable and based on rational thought. Opinions are disputable, based on personal belief and, hear this, come from our emotional realm.

For example, if you and I pass each other in the hallway, how are you going to interpret that? How many times have we emotionally processed an event like this and formed – let’s call it what it is, an opinion? Based on our “hard drive”, we begin to formulate what actually went down. She didn’t stop and talk to me. We begin to read between the lines, and thoughts such as, “What have I done? I’m just invisible. I don’t matter. I thought we were friends. I don’t fit in here.” You know the drill. Through one little encounter, we have written a whole novel based on nothing but opinion! The fact is: we passed each other in the hallway. That’s it. Period.

We don’t see things as they are. We see things as we are. I’m going to repeat that just in case you read over it too quickly. We don’t see things as they are. We see things as WE are. We interpret things that people say and do through our past experiences, our values, and our culture, - through our hard drive, instead of based on actual facts of the event.

The really great thing about our hard drive, though, is that it can be re-programmed! My will cannot change my hard drive, but God’s Word can! Every single time I choose God’s Word, which is Truth, my set of core values is adjusted. Oh, thank God! We never have to be a prisoner of a hard drive full of bugs and problems, but we can be liberated by the renewing of our minds to God’s way of thinking!

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude] … .

Don’t settle for what you’ve always known, or believe the lie that change can never happen because that’s “just the way you are”. We can take on new thoughts, new ways of processing information, and new ways of living. God’s Word is powerful and sharper than any two edged sword and will reprogram our hard drive in the most glorious way! But, I’m not going to lie. It takes effort. It takes time. It takes being in His Word and making His Word final authority in our lives. WE renew our minds. It’s our choice, and it is our lifeline for enjoying the most precious gifts in our lives - our relationships.

How will you process the events of today? Is it fact? Or, is it opinion? Take ownership and know the difference!