Disagreeing with God
“I disagree!”
Strong words, often spoken heatedly.
“You’re wrong!” implies “and I’m right!” (And you’re an idiot! often is the accompanying thought.)
It’s one thing to argue about politics (a blood sport these days). It’s another to wrangle about theology. But what if our disagreement is with the Almighty Himself?
Scripture is full of examples:
Jonah disapproved of God’s mercy on pagan Nineveh.[1]
Job reproves God for not answering him.[2]
Jeremiah pleads his case before God when the wicked prosper.[3]
In the New Testament does anyone “get in Jesus’ face” more than Simon Peter? When Yeshua washes the feet of His disciples, only Peter refuses – strenuously! “Never shall You wash my feet!”[4]
In response to a clear command from heaven to eat non-kosher food, Peter responds, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.”[5]
Toward the end of His earthly ministry Yeshua informed His disciples of His impending death and resurrection. “And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.”[6]
Talk about chutzpah! Disagreeing, even arguing, with the Lord is something with which we may relate. But rebuking the Son of God?
“But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”[7]
It’s easy to criticize those who criticize God. But I need to be aware of my own sinful tendencies. How susceptible am I to the serpent’s whisper, “Did God really say…?”[8] How ready am I to reinterpret the clear teaching of Scripture to suit my own desires?
When I listen to the wisdom of the world, am I reminded of God’s analysis?
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.[9]
When the circumstances of life are not to my liking, do I doubt the good purposes of our Sovereign God? “Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker – an earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth!
Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’ Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?”[10]
How grateful ought we to be for God’s mercy and grace – even when we don’t “get it.” “For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”[11]
I look forward to “understand(ing) it better by and by.” Until then, I choose to walk in humility, faith, and obedience by the Spirit’s power.
What about you? Are you contending with God about something? We welcome you to join the conversation or contact us to pray with you about whatever is troubling you today.
Written by Wes Taber, LIFE Executive Director
Footnotes:
[1] Jonah 4:1-3.
[2] Job 40:1-2.
[3] Jeremiah 12:1.
[4] John 13:8.
[5] Acts 10:14.
[6] Mark 8:32.
[7] Mark 8:33.
[8] Genesis 3:1.
[9] Isaiah 55:8–9.
[10] Isaiah 45:9.
[11] Psalm 103:14.