Oh, I’m Right Alright

Recently, I heard someone arguing how they were right, and the other person was wrong. And although my first thought was one of annoyance, I decided to listen closely.

Both people believed their point of view was the only right one. Both were passionate about defending their own way of thinking. But it went past that. There was no tolerance, no patience, and certainly no understanding involved.

The conversation soon turned into accusations. And when it got to questioning each other’s integrity—and intelligence? Well, that’s when I thought it was time to take a walk.

We’ve all seen it—and probably experienced it. When I was drinking, and even now, in sobriety, my desire to be right has caused me to go to any lengths to prove I was right. Or better yet—to prove they were wrong! What a rush I get from that. An ego-booster, for sure.

But it never brings about unity, peace, or happiness. Instead, the outcome is always a resentment. Somehow, I can never enjoy my (hollow) victory.

So why do I still long to win a (useless) argument? Oh, I can dress it up in noble clothes: All I’m trying to do is enlighten this poor soul. I’m really trying to help them (see things the way I do).

Are my motives not obvious? And worse yet, does an argument ever change someone else’s mind?

I well remember my father quoting a 17^th century poet, Samuel Butler, who famously said in his poem, Hudibras:

“He that complies against his will,

Is of his own opinion still;

Which he may adhere to, yet disown,

For reasons to himself best known.”

How true those words have proved to be. Try as I might, I’ve never been able to change someone’s mind by arguing. At best, they may have complied with my wishes; but there’s always that uncomfortable feeling that I’ve probably made an enemy.

So, what would the Master do?

That’s easy. He never argued. He spoke truth—and either the receiver heard it and changed, or they didn’t.

Today, I find that my peace of mind—my serenity—is inversely proportional to my expectations of others. If I speak my truth quietly, I believe it will be heard far more clearly than if it’s spoken in a loud voice.

The fact that someone disagrees with my point of view doesn’t automatically mean that they’re wrong. It just means that I need to listen carefully, then weigh what they say, comparing it to what I know is true.

And that means that I need to remember what I know about truth.

Is there a consistent source of truth in this world? Yes. And it’s available to all of us. It’s hidden in God’s Holy Word. If He said it, it’s true.

That’s why I read His Word every day. It’s my only true Guide.

There’s nothing more important.

Nothing at all.