Externalize the Opinion

Years ago a long-time church leader encouraged me to “externalize the opinion.” By that he meant that I should seek someone from outside of our congregation to weigh in on how we were doing. For instance, instead of asking our members how friendly we were, I should have someone from outside of the congregation come, visit and report back on how welcoming we really were.

Externalize the opinion.

Within any organization we tend to be easier on ourselves or at least biased in the organization’s favor. Of course we think things are going pretty well! If they weren’t, why would we be here? Left to our own opinions and experience we typically end up with a myopic, self-affirming view.

If instead we invite opinions or observations from those outside, we will have an expanded and more realistic view of “how things are going.” Read books. Attend conferences. Consult experts. Talk with competitors.

Externalize the opinion.

This points to a problem in much of modern culture. We have been taught and trained to look within. Seek truth there. Listen to our own heart, our own feelings. We have taken Descartes’ dictum to a place he never intended. Cogito ergo sum—I think, therefore I am. He meant that as a proof of existence. We take it as a prescription for identity. We have come to live from an internal point of view. What ever I think…or feel… I am, I am.

Externalize the opinion.

Throughout the centuries people were convinced that there was an external, even transcendent, reality. An outside reality impacted, ordered and directed human life. This conviction has almost completely evaporated in our popular culture. We are taught not to worry about what others think, what history teaches or what God reveals.  We are to live from within. Whatever you think you are, you are. And if you think it, you can do it. Nothing but internalized opinions.

This may in fact be the way of the world, but it is not the way of the Christ follower. By definition, following Christ means we follow an externality. We are not driven from within, we are led by The One who is eternally external. He is from above and beyond. He is from outside of us. While we are in relationship with God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, it is a relationship with Another, one who is outside of us, or at least external to us even though he dwells by his Spirit within us.

The Christian life then is to be lived not based on what I think or feel about myself, but by what God reveals through his word. I may think/feel that I am a good person. The external revelation is that I am a sinner in need of a savior. I may think/feel that I am worthless and hopeless. The external revelation is that I am loved and forgiven. I may think/feel that I can do anything. The external revelation is that I can do all things only through Christ. I may think/feel that this or that is the way to go or be. The external revelation serves to temper and train what I am within.

Externalize the opinion.

Perhaps the most crushing consequence of the internalization of human existence is that it foists upon ourselves the responsibility to be our own creator. We must construct our own identity. We must build our own ethical system. We must develop our own values. We must shape our own world.

It is hard work to be your own creator. It is a work you need not do. It is a work you will not do well.

There is someone, something else out there. And it is God. He is wise. He is loving. He is powerful. He has the point of view that sets you free from myopia… so that you can have life, and that more abundantly.

Instead of creating yourself from within, externalize the opinion. Let Jesus’ word lead, direct, help and save you. That’s the path toward significance.

For a terrific discussion of this issue, check out Carl R. Trueman’s The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self.