We are living in a time when the loudest voice in the room often isn’t the one speaking truth—it’s the one echoing the crowd. In a culture that elevates feelings over facts and opinion over authority, many Christians have subtly adopted the same mindset without realizing it. Instead of asking, “What does God say?” we ask, “How do I feel about this?” And that shift has quietly but deeply affected how we view the Bible, especially in settings like small groups and personal discipleship.
The root of the issue is subjectivity—the belief that truth is based on personal perspective rather than absolute authority. When that thinking infiltrates the church, the Bible starts to lose its central place. Rather than shaping our beliefs around Scripture, we start reshaping Scripture around our beliefs. It may sound spiritual to go around a small group circle asking, “What does this verse mean to you?”—but if we’re not careful, we end up elevating personal interpretation over divine revelation.
Why is this happening?
First, many believers haven’t been taught the Bible clearly or consistently. Biblical illiteracy is at an all-time high. People know bits and pieces of Scripture—maybe a few verses they’ve seen on Instagram or heard in a sermon—but they don’t know how to read it in context, or even where to begin. Without confidence in the text, they fall back on opinions and feelings. And when everyone in the group does the same, God’s Word becomes background noise instead of the guiding voice.
Second, our culture has trained us to see authority as oppressive rather than freeing. We’ve grown up hearing that we’re our own truth, we should follow our hearts, and no one else should tell us how to live. That makes it hard to submit to a standard above us, even one given by a loving God. Instead of being comforted by the consistency of Scripture, we feel constrained by its demands. And so we opt for what’s easier—our preferences over God’s principles.
Third, some churches and leaders have stopped holding the line. In an effort to be relevant or appealing, it’s tempting to soften what Scripture says about sin, holiness, or obedience. But when we do that, we’re not helping people—we’re hurting them. We don’t need less truth; we need more clarity. We don’t need watered-down convictions; we need Spirit-empowered confidence to declare, “Thus says the Lord.”
The Bible is not a book of suggestions. It’s the authoritative Word of God. It corrects us, trains us, challenges us, and changes us. And if our small groups, our churches, or our lives are going to reflect Jesus, we must return to the standard He has already given us.
Feelings are fickle. Opinions shift. But the Word of God stands forever.
Let’s be people—and churches—who don’t float in a sea of opinions but anchor our lives to the truth that never changes.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
