Scriptural Authority vs Personal Bias in Decision Making
The Bible presents scriptural authority as paramount, often contrasting it with human wisdom and personal biases in decision-making. The apostle Paul, for instance, emphasizes that "the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength" [3]. This perspective suggests that divine revelation, as found in Scripture, offers a superior guide compared to human reasoning or individual inclinations.
A key aspect of scriptural authority is its divine origin. The Holy Spirit is described as inspiring prophets and directing ministers, instructing them on what to preach and where to go [4]. This divine inspiration means that "no prophecy of the Scripture... is of any private interpretation" [6]. John Gill clarifies that this does not negate the right of individuals to interpret Scripture, but rather asserts that the origin and ultimate meaning of prophecy are not subject to individual human will or bias [6]. Instead, the Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding these truths [4].
Human wisdom and self-reliance are frequently depicted as hindrances to aligning with God's will. Proverbs warns against being "wise in thine own eyes," which can lead to acting independently of God, trusting in one's own understanding, and even being "wiser than the Scriptures" [7]. Such self-righteousness is considered "hateful to God" and "ineffectual for salvation" [2]. It can manifest as a desire to justify oneself before others or even before God, rejecting God's righteousness in the process [2].
The New Testament further illustrates the tension between human judgment and divine authority. Paul, when faced with disputes, declined to be a judge of "questions about words and names and your own law," indicating a distinction between secular or personal matters and those governed by divine principles [1]. While individuals are called to exercise their own judgment in discerning truth, as Paul encourages the Corinthians to "weigh the force of the argument" [5], this judgment is not infallible. Paul himself stated, "I am conscious to myself of no (ministerial) unfaithfulness," yet he immediately added, "am I not hereby justified," implying that even a clear conscience is not an ultimate arbiter of truth [9]. God's truth is to be upheld even if "every man a liar" [8].
Sources
- Acts “but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I don’t want to be a judge of these matters.” -- Acts 18:15”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Righteousness — Man is prone to -- Pr 20:6; 30:12. Hateful to God -- Lu 16:15. Is vain because our righteousness is But external. -- Mt 23:25-28; Lu 11:39-44. But partial. -- Mt 23:25; Lu 11:44. No better than filthy rags. -- Isa 64:6. Ineffectual for salvation. -- Job 9:30,31; Mt 5:20; Ro 3:20. Unprofitable. -- Isa 57:12. Is boastful -- Mt 23:30. They who are given to Audaciously approach God. -- Lu 18:11. Seek to justify themselves. -- Lu 10:29. Seek to justify themselves before men. -- Lu 16:15. Reject the righteousness of God. -- Ro 10:3. Condemn others. -- ”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 1:25 (BSB) — For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holy Spirit, the Personality Of — He creates and gives life -- Job 33:4. He appoints and commissions ministers -- Isa 48:16; Ac 13:2; 20:28. He directs ministers where to preach -- Ac 8:29; 10:19,20. He directs ministers where not to preach -- Ac 16:6,7. He instructs ministers what to preach -- 1Co 2:13. He spoke in, and by, the prophets -- Ac 1:16; 1Pe 1:11,12; 2Pe 1:21. He strives with sinners -- Ge 6:3. He reproves -- Joh 16:8. He comforts -- Ac 9:31. He helps our infirmities -- Ro 8:26. He teaches -- Joh 14:26; 1Co 12:3. He guides -- Joh 16:13. He sanctifies -- R”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:20: Knowing this first,.... Especially, and in the first place, this is to be known, observed, and considered; that no prophecy of the Scripture, that is contained in Scripture, be it what it will, is of any private interpretation: not that this is levelled against the right of private judgment of Scripture; or to be understood as if a private believer had not a right of reading, searching, examining, and judging, and interpreting the Scriptures himself, by virtue of the unction which teacheth all things; and who, as a spiritual man, judgeth all things; otherwise, wh”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 3:7: Be not wise in thine own eyes,.... So as to act independently of God; not to trust in him, nor acknowledge him, nor seek to him for help and direction; nor ask nor take the advice of others; but, being conceited and self-sufficient, lean to thine own understanding, as being wise enough to conduct all affairs in life by thy own discretion; and in matters of religion wiser than thy teachers, and even than the Scriptures, being wise above that which is written; pleasing thyself with thine own wisdom, as exceeding others; glorying in it as thine own acquisition, and not ”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:4: God forbid--literally, "Let it not be," that is, "Away with such a thought"--a favorite expression of our apostle, when he would not only repudiate a supposed consequence of his doctrine, but express his abhorrence of it. "The Scriptures do not authorize such a use of God's name as must have been common among the English translators of the Bible" [HODGE]. yea, let God be--held true, and every man a liar--that is, even though it should follow from this that every man is a liar. when thou art judged--so in Psa 51:4, according to the Septuagint; but ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 4:4: by myself--Translate, "I am conscious to myself of no (ministerial) unfaithfulness." BENGEL explains the Greek compound, "to decide in judgments on one in relation to others," not simply to judge. am I not hereby justified--Therefore conscience is not an infallible guide. Paul did not consider his so. This verse is directly against the judicial power claimed by the priests of Rome.”