Changing beliefs is not a sin

Published 8:50 am Friday, January 4, 2019

Question: Is it a sin to change my beliefs?
Answer: No, it is not wrong to change beliefs based of course on knowledge. When one changes their beliefs it is hopefully a result of gaining knowledge. As one gains knowledge and growth occurs it is possible to substantiate our current stance; it may also be possible to change our minds because of the knowledge we have gained. Peter said, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may GROW thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (I Peter 2:1-3). It is possible that as we grow we will learn things we misunderstood or just didn’t know previously. As we learn God’s word then you make adjustments.
Paul said, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
There is no doubt that all men make mistakes. Making a mistake is not wrong in and of itself. The wrong occurs when one gains knowledge and understands that their current beliefs stand in opposition to their newly gained knowledge. Many refuse to learn and improve themselves. They choose rather to hold to traditions learned of their forefathers.
Solomon wrote, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15). “The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall” (Proverbs 10:8). “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart” (Proverbs 18:2). Just because we learn something new does not mean that we should immediately change our total lives. Instead we should examine the new knowledge being sure it is correct before we make any change.
Once we are sure that we should make a change we should do so remembering (James 4:17). There James, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Often it takes a while to sort things out and apply the truth we have learned but there is no doubt we should make the applications when needed.
We should remember that every child of God once practiced a different lifestyle. When they learned the truth of the gospel they eventually made a proper change. They eventually put into practice that which they learned. No Christian became one knowing all things; instead they modified their lives as they grew in their Christianity.
Consider what Paul says in (Ephesians 4:11-16). There Paul teaches that all members of the church have a work and all works are for our edification. The edification is that which brings about growth. This is the reason men preach the Word. Paul said, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). The life of a Christian is one of constant growth; that is why study is such an important part of Christianity (2 Timothy 2:15).
(Tony Hoss is minister at Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton. He can be contacted at 737-2287 or by email at CenterviewCOC@comcast.net)

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