God Talks Out Of Both Sides Of His Mouth?

When I used to show my Dad the many passages that prove baptism is necessary to salvation, he would respond by saying “but there are even more verses teaching one is saved by faith.” I think a lot of believers view the Bible that way. They think there are verses on both sides of certain issues, and so we are free to choose which side to believe; that both answers are right. They most definitely wouldn’t use these words, but what they are really saying is “God Talks Out Of Both Sides Of His Mouth.”

I think spiritual laziness can lead to this obviously false view of God’s word. People aren’t spending enough time in diligent Bible study (II Tim 2:15). I am sure they realize deep down God’s truth can’t teach two plus two equals four and five at the same time (that both answers are right), but they just don’t take enough initiative to resolve such apparent Bible discrepancies.

The nature of all truth is that it is not self-contradicting. The scripture defines for us what religious truth is (John 17:17), and only that truth will set us free from sin (John 8:31-32). If two passages seem to be teaching both sides of an issue, know that more study needs to be done to determine how both passages can be true. Then and only then do we have the truth on that issue.

First illustration: How do Acts 21:9 (women prophesied) and I Cor 14:34-35 (women shouldn’t preach in church) not contradict? It’s pretty simple when you think about it – Philip’s four daughters prophesied outside the church service. That makes both passages true.

Second illustration: How do Eph 2:8-9 (not saved by works) and James 2:24 (saved by works) not contradict? – https://bibledebates.wordpress.com/2023/06/29/how-do-eph-28-9-and-james-224-not-contradict-each-other/

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