#93of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney #ImRightYoureWrong

Today’s lesson is about being right. Or more to the question, being right at what cost.

I love to be right. I love to debate. I love to prove my knowledge. I like to do this because it’s fun, but I try to do it in a way that is non-confrontational and helps people learn. I have a head full of useless and useful information and want to share it. If I don’t know something, I will learn it and want to share it. Nothing drives me more nuts than when someone is sharing false information as the truth. When what they say doesn’t match their belief systems. I was at a gathering recently with very kind good-hearted people and they were just wrong on so many levels. Wrong on facts. Wrong on assumptions. Wrong on process. Wrong on how what they said matching their belief system. I would normally spout off facts, figures, sources, and more to prove I was right. But this time, I was just quiet. I just thought, what does being right help in this case? How would it affect my relationships with these people? How would it affect my family down the road? It’s one of those cases where being right is being wrong. Or more specifically, it doesn’t pay to show you are right. Let them talk and listen to see where this information is coming from and where there is common ground to debate.

“A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.” – Proverbs 21:2

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” – Colossians 3:9-10

“For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” – Luke 8:17

The Bible shows us that the Lord will weigh the heart (judge). We need to be honest with each other and not lie. The problem is that some people think they are being truthful when their facts are wrong. They have been fed false information. But Luke tells us that there is nothing that is hidden that will not be brought into the open. It is not for me to question everyone when they are wrong. Of course, it depends on the topic. Faith is something I would definitely debate in a friendly kind manner. But politics, government, culture, etc when based on passion and not reliable facts, you can’t argue with that. You can’t use facts to debate emotion. You will lose every time. But by not fighting, by not arguing, do you win?

Are you willing to look at the big picture and choose the win-win battles? Are you ready to realize that by winning a debate you may lose the relationship? Are you willing to debate and discuss with a heart full of love and understanding?

I am willing and ready (with the help of God)