I read it, I hear it from pulpits. I assume that it’s so frequently said that in most cases it goes in one ear and out the other.
“What’s that?”
I refer to the constant repetition of the phrases “I believe . . .” or “I think . . .”
“What could be wrong with that?”
At least two things:
- If a preacher asserts something to be true, then, of course, we assume that he believes or thinks it. (We’re not talking about hypocrites here)
- Who cares what he believes? It may be nice that he does, but I want to hear what God has to say.
This ‘I think” or I “believe,” terminology with which doctrine is prefaced rather than strengthening the point the preacher is making (which, presumably is why he makes it in the first place), actually weakens it.
Compare the following:
- God says . . . Or the Scriptures teach . . .
- I believe . . . I think . . . .
Which pair of assertions impresses you as being stronger? The former, naturally. The latter give the impression that this is the way that, rightly or wrongly, the preacher happens to see it, rather than (without doubt) the way that God puts it.
In most cases, I suppose that isn’t what the preacher who is in the habit of prefacing statements in this weaker way intends. Actually, he probably intends the opposite. But, the Word of God doesn’t need his endorsement!
Think about this preacher. Either stand behind what you know is clearly what God is teaching in a passage, or simply don’t preach it until you can do so with full assurance. That is to say, until you can strongly affirm, “God says . . .”