It is human nature to want to be right when presenting information. The shame of making a mistake or not finding agreement in a presentation is sometimes sobering and can be horrifying. God has taught me a valuable lesson about being “right” or correct in facts that do not have eternal consequences. I can be right about history, science, and even politics. Others believe they are just as correct based on their research, understanding, or worldview. I can keep hammering away with peer-reviewed articles, original research, source documents, and experiences. Perhaps I will eventually overwhelm their arguments but to what end? The pride of winning the field just to lose the war? Proverbs 9:7 & 8 gives excellent clarity to this point,
“He who corrects a scoffer gets shame
for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man,
only harms himself.
Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate
you.
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love
you.”
Paul gave Timothy similar advice. In 2 Timothy 2:23-26 Timothy is advised to “avoid foolish and ignorant disputes” because they come to no good. As we serve the Lord, we should not quarrel but be ready to teach with gentleness and humility. Then perhaps God will give them the understanding they need to be rescued from the devil. Did you catch that last part? “If God will grant them repentance so that they know the truth,” which will rescue them from the devil! God grants them the understanding. My pride, which God hates, (Proverbs 8:13, James 4:6, Proverbs 6:16-19, et al.) and my desire to prove just how right I am, takes an absolute backseat to God’s teaching, plan, and desire.
The only absolute truth in this world is the Word of God found in the Bible. History is written by the victors and from their perspective. Over time, we have been able to discover, explore, and write about the loser’s perspective, but it is generally several years/decades after the fact. Science is the same way. We have taught great lies in science as absolute truth, only to find we were wrong decades, years, or months later. But God’s Truth has always been the beacon ready to guide.
Now and forever, the only requirement needs to be that all perspectives and “sides” of an argument will be heard, explored, and debated. The issue becomes untenable when there is arbitrary suppression or muzzling of perspectives with autocratic, arbitrary determination of what is mis, dys, or mal-information. We fought that all four years of the Biden regime, but, lest we forget, it started under Obama. Free discourse that allows open consideration is the only viable avenue. Let the facts speak. Let God’s absolute truth prevail; as it always will.
How does this translate into the daily work of the church and ministry leader? First, never compromise on God’s Word. When a concept is clearly defined in His Word, that is our unwavering true north. For example, the sanctity of life and “thou shall not murder” is pretty straightforward. As are the other nine commandments. Teaching and preaching against sexual deviancy such as transgender, homosexuality, bestiality, and pedophilia are all directly mentioned and condemned in scripture. As leaders we need to tell the truth. Our research should ensure we bring the best information from our fields of endeavor. We should always look at science, government, education, and culture based on the truth of the Gospel. Sometimes the evidence we find may put us in direct opposition to culture, government, and even family. We cannot and should not try to please everyone. Some will listen and some will reject natural and spiritual truths (Ezekiel 2:7). Our job in His Kingdom is to tell only Truth. Be the watchman on the wall and warn against evil and impending attacks (Ezekiel 3:17-21), but then recognize those to whom we speak are left to their free will. Let His Truth be your desire.
Second, we “gird our loins” (Ephesians 6:14) with this truth and put on the whole armor of God to be ready for a battle of epic proportion (Ephesians 6:10-19). The scripture emphasizes picking up the shield of faith— “above all, taking the shield of faith.” (vs16). God is telling us to prepare for the slings and arrows that will be fired at us from inside and outside the ekklesia (church). There will be times when friends, families, church members, and culture at large will attempt to remove our message. The armor is primarily defensive, which indicates God is preparing us to take some hits. However, we have the best offensive weapon in the sword of the Spirit, or the Word of God. It is “alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow.” (Hebrews 4:12). We need no other offensive weapon.
Finally, rest in the Truth of His Word as sufficient in all things. In Ephesians 4:21, Paul talks about the truth of Christ. This is not just ethical or factual truth; this is the embodiment and fullness of truth because of who Christ is. There is no greater Truth! Love the Truth, teach the Truth regardless of the consequences. Funding will dry up, members, and family will reject and even hate you; Christ warned us about these circumstances. (John 15:18-21) Don’t waiver or compromise His Truth.
Therefore, when the opportunity presents itself to win a battle, remember the war you are fighting. Is the subject matter worth victory at the expense of never being able to share Christ? Will this person be open to your eternally important message after you shame them or defeat them on the field of rhetoric or data battle? Tell the Truth in love, gentleness, and humbleness. It doesn’t mean we roll over against a bully spewing lies, quite the contrary. It means we boldly, emphatically, and without shame state the truth. Let our standard of Truth speak for itself.