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Well, Whaddya Know . . . ?

I know too much. That sounds like bragging, but it’s really a confession. I know too much. The emphasis is on the word know. I don’t suppose very much, or believe. I don’t often think something. Even when I use those words—suppose, believe, think, and a variety of other synonyms—they’re really just code for know. In the world of opinions, the apostle Paul could have been addressing me along with the people of Corinth when he cautioned those who think they are standing on solid ground to be careful not to fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). I have a pretty good opinion of my ability to stand, I’m afraid. Too good, actually; I spend way too much time in the know and not nearly enough time in the I wonder or the maybe.

I don’t take much comfort from the observation that I’m not the only one who struggles with this issue. My social media feeds are filled with comments from people who know, who are convinced beyond all reason of any number of things: the earth is flat, the moon landings are fake, Trump is evil, Trump is our last, best, hope for America, the Coronavirus is the greatest scourge in history, the Coronavirus is the greatest hoax in history. The list is long, and it seems like every position taken on every one of these, along with the thousand other areas of national debate, is a position of absolutes. We just know we’re right. But the Bible says be careful, the ground may not be as firm as we think it is.

A dose of humility would help, perhaps. In my case, a heaping tablespoon-full, taken three times a day and whenever else symptoms of pride and arrogance begin to appear. Someone who knew a thing or two about humility and wisdom said this: “With pride comes disgrace, but humility brings wisdom” (Proverbs 11:12, my paraphrase). Peter, who spent the first years of his time with Jesus protecting his pride and his place, grew into a man who could say this: “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God’s opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5). In a largely forgotten verse in this day and age, Paul, in Philippians 2, tells us to consider others more significant than ourselves (and, I would add, our need to be right). Paul also reminds us not to think more highly of ourselves than we really should (Romans 12:3).


Because we are human, we are, by definition, fallible. However certain we think we are of a particular position we hold, the fact is, we could be wrong. Just the ability to admit that, and to internalize its truth, would go a long way towards easing tensions and helloing us find common ground. Even when we are right, there is a time and place and manner to express our (correct) opinion. Just because it is true doesn’t mean it has to be said right now or, really, sometimes, ever.

This is all very hard for me, I admit. Someone once said to me, “David, you always think you’re right.” My reaction was a shrug and a puzzled look. Doesn’t everyone think they are right when they form an opinion? Evidently, my need to be right and my self-belief is more abrasive at times than the average person. So what is a person to do? I’m going to attempt the following and see what happens. By God’s grace, I will:

  1. Seek above all to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).

  2. Avoid absolutist statements (You always . . . It never . . . There’s no way . . .}.

  3. Acknowledge my own fallibility and admit, especially to myself, I could be wrong. Actually, statistically speaking, I am probably more likely than not to be wrong.

  4. Make it my first goal to understand the other person’s viewpoint and reasoning before I try to get her to understand mine (Thank you, Stephen Covey. If you haven’t read The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, I highly recommend it}.

  5. Pursue relationships over rightness.

What do you think? How else can we as Christians promote the kingdom of God—and His truth—while engaging the culture and world in which we live?



 
 
 

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