“I’ll be praying that God show you the error of your ways.”
It should be nice to have someone say that they’ll pray for you, right? Yet look at the above statement. There’s something about it that smacks of the Pharisee’s prayer in Luke 18, the pious superiority revealing itself in HolySpeak.
The “loving” statement above says that we have a difference of opinion, but my opinion is God’s opinion. It’s like the old joke about the two musicians arguing about how to perform a Bach concerto. Finally one says, “Listen, you keep playing it your way. I’ll keep playing it Bach’s way.”
Condescension. “Someday you’ll see how wrong you were.” Smug superiority. “Yes, I used to believe that way, until I really studied these passages.”
Here’s a news flash: You’re wrong.
Here’s another: I’m wrong.
Here’s a whole string of them: N.T. Wright is wrong. The Pope is wrong. Your preacher is wrong. That guy who is on every workshop is wrong.
We’re all wrong about something. And we need to act like we’re aware of that.
Image courtesy Sweet Publishing
The principle that everyone can be wrong is an important one to remember. This morning I enjoyed reading 1 Samuel 24 (where David decides to teach Saul a lesson while sparing him his life)… it’s full of valuable lessons about the interactions we have with those with whom we experience a struggle while loving.