Dear Minister: I recently made a decision that I felt was led by the Holy Spirit, but afterwards it was met with some criticism from other believers. Does that mean I didn’t hear correctly from God?
– Wondering in Egg Harbor Township
Answer: Just because someone sees things differently than you do it doesn’t mean that you were mistaken in what you felt was God’s leading. In the Bible we see several instances of godly people, all of whom were followers of Jesus, disagreeing with one another. In one instance, Paul and Barnabas had different opinions about whether young John Mark should accompany them on their next missionary journey. Paul felt that John Mark was too young and unreliable in light of the fact that he had left their previous journey prematurely. Barnabas felt that John Mark deserved a second chance. Acts 15:39 says, “Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.” Which one was right? I suppose they both thought that they were. Eventually they reconciled, and Paul requested that Mark come visit him while he was in prison.
In another example, Paul and Peter had a disagreement about sharing meals with gentiles. Paul actually said, “I opposed him to his face.” But that didn’t mean they weren’t friends or that they couldn’t work together to spread the gospel.
I hope that you and those who have criticized you can also put aside your differences of opinion and work together in unity on behalf of the Lord. Prayer is usually of great value in working through these situations. I will keep you in my prayers for a successful resolution.
Sincerely,
Dr. Steve Rahter
Pastor
Praise Tabernacle
