Have an open mind, but when you find truth in God’s Word, hold on to it. Continuing to test it all your life is having an open mind. Don’t let go of the truth when something different comes along. Test the ideas that might be new to you. They could be good! If so, “hold fast.” If not, “abstain.”
A few common phrases among the close-minded include:
“Let’s just agree to disagree” — not willing to test their convictions
“Don’t judge me” — while making judgements about you
“You’re not being very loving” — True love seeks the truth (1 Cor 13:6)
“You’re very close-minded” — Oh, irony.
Studying God’s Word daily in order to understand the truth better is how we are called to be open minded. Hear the thoughts and ideas of those with whom you disagree, and test them to see if they are true—or have some truth in them. Hold fast to the truth, and don’t throw everything out if some part needs correction.
Seek the truth and you will find it.
Stop seeking, and you’ll know you haven’t found it yet.
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Scriptures referenced (directly or indirectly)
‘…test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.’
—1 Thessalonians 5:2-22
‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.’
—2 Timothy 2:15
‘so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine…’
—Ephesians 4:14a
‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’
—Romans 12:2
‘it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.’
—1 Corinthians 13:6
‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.’
—Matthew 7:7-8