What Does God Say?

Years ago, a popular saying went around Christian circles: “What would Jesus do?” There were books written about it, bracelets made with those words, and Christians everywhere were encouraged to ask themselves that question before making a decision.

It sounded like good advice, but there is a problem when we try to answer that question based on our own thinking. One person might say, “I believe Jesus would approve of this.” Another might say, “Jesus would never do that.” Both may be sincere, but sincerity does not make either one right. We can easily create an image of Jesus that agrees with what we already believe.

Wouldn't it be better to ask, “What does God say?” Instead of guessing what Jesus might do, we can open our Bibles and find out what God has already told us. Jesus Himself said, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17).

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus did not answer with human reasoning or personal opinion. Three times He answered by pointing to what was written in Scripture (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). He showed us the importance of relying on God's Word rather than our own thinking.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to follow the example of Jesus Christ. In fact, that is exactly what believers should desire. But we must learn about Him from Scripture, not from the Jesus we have created in our minds. We cannot decide what we want to believe and then convince ourselves that Jesus agrees with us.

Paul wrote, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Notice that Paul did not tell us to change God's Word to fit our thinking. Our thinking is what needs to change. That happens as we study Scripture, understand what God has said, and allow His truth to shape the way we live.

Of course, we must also be careful not to make Scripture say something it does not say. We need to read God's Word in context, understand what it teaches, and be willing to obey it, even when the truth challenges something we have believed for years. We should never use a Bible verse to defend something simply because we want it to be right.

So the next time you face a decision, hear a questionable teaching, or wonder whether something is right or wrong, don't begin by asking what other Christians think or what you imagine Jesus would do. Begin with the Word of God. Search the Scriptures, examine what they teach, and be willing to accept the answer.

Because in the end, it is not our opinion of Jesus that matters. It is whether we believe and obey what He has actually said.

The question we should always begin with is simple: “What does God say?”

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

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