January 15, 2013

  • Being RIGHT!

    There is a certain proud satisfaction that comes from being right. Why is it so appealing? Sometimes, being right seems more important than who we had to hurt to make our point. Do you know what I mean? But, if our need to prove we are right pushes people away, hurts them or makes them feel small and worthless, maybe we need to take a step back and consider just how important being right in every situation is.

    See, we can be right all day long, but without love and mercy, we can still be WRONG. Technically right, but grievously wrong.

    Remember the adulterous woman the Jewish leaders brought to Jesus? (John 8) According to the law, she should have been stoned. Yes. They were right about that, and they couldn't wait to get started. They were already picking up the stones. But, what did Jesus do? In a manner of speaking, He asked them to examine their own hearts and lives. He asked them to check on their own attitudes. Being right has as much to do with our own heart as it does the rules.

    I have found that me being right does not change anyone. People who are trapped in wrong living are there because of addictions or some weakness, wrong thinking, wrong teaching, or any manner of complicated emotional reasons. Usually, they already know they are wrong, and being all righteously religious and pointing it out will not help anything. It will guarantee that they will never turn to you for help.

    Now, I am not saying that we should ignore sin. There is a right way and a wrong way to confront people about sin.

    (Eph. 4:15 NLT)  Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.

    (Gal 6:1 NLT)  Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

    Key words here are GODLY, GENTLY and HUMBLY. When we confront a person who is in the wrong, and we have a compassionate, loving, humble heart, there is a much better chance they will listen. I also have found that MUCH prayer is needed before any confrontation. Sometimes God has told me to just leave them alone and pray fervently for them.

    If our need to be right is more important than a person, we are WRONG. If our need to be right brings condemnation to another, we are WRONG. Maybe we need to ask ourselves why it is so important to be right? Maybe we need to examine our own heart. Is the cost of forcing the issue that you are right worth the price? Maybe we need to deal with our pride before we point a finger at another.

    Just sayin'!

Comments (8)

  • I have found that me being right does not change anyone

    ... You are right about that, honey.
    It is one of those things I found out years back (and now even) and does not matter what you do or say, some people just could not accept the `goodness` out of you ... Only too few, who knows to accept, who respecting and who understands you for being you (as the good fairy) and does not expecting unnecessary miracles will listen to you.

    Thank u for sharing this!

  • Good post, Mae!

    I live with a Law and Order wife. lol  She is wonderful to be sure, but she is always offended when people do wrong things. She seems to take TV news personally. Or, am I just another liberal anything goes kind of guy? I am not smart enough to figure it out, but you are right about being right. Being right changes nothing. Speaking the truth in love does a lot more good than just being right and proving it.

    frank

  • Like Dr. Phil always says "Would you rather be right or be happy?"  Good words for thought.

  • of course you are right - thank goodness 

  • Are you saying we shouldn't just up to someone and slap them up side the head? Guess I'll have to rethink my plan!

  • Amen. Good word!

  • @dingdongdingbat - OH, the temptation is always there, isn't it?

  • Yes, you are right. Being right does not make others want to join you if you are obnoxious about it. Lord, help me be gracious when I'm right. I guess that would be my prayer.

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