I Could Be Wrong
I am acquainted with a know-it-all. Perhaps you know someone like this as well. If the conversation turns to politics, he has a strong opinion. If we talk of music, he quickly lets me know about the flaws of modern music and of his ability to name any tune I might be able to hum. Even our forays into religion yield theological dissertations.
I am not opposed to anyone having political opinions, expertise in music, or theological understandings. I’m for each of these. What is troublesome is the arrogance that assumes because he thought it, it must be correct. If I disagree with him, he seems to believe it is his life purpose to persuade me to think as he thinks. He will use whatever tactic necessary to make that happen–ridicule being his favorite. As you can imagine, I’ve learned to avoid all conversation with this person if possible.
When I encounter people like this, I have to stop to ask myself, “What causes a person to do this?” A more disturbing question is, “How often do I do the same?” Granted, my example is a bit extreme. However, I have caught myself at times wanting to sound like an expert, too. In those moments I want to interject my knowledge in ways that I think make me look good. There seems to be a need within me to be valued for what I know or what I can do. I falsely assume that others will esteem me more if I reveal these “hidden” bits of knowledge and expertise. It is a pitiful ploy to lift myself above the crowd and make myself a god that deserves adoration and praise.
There are other times in my life when I begin to think I am the center of the universe and that because I think something, it must be true. (Obviously, another attempt at god-hood.) There is in this egocentricity the false assumption that I am smarter or more talented than others. As we can see with my acquaintance, living with these delusions leads to alienation and destroyed relationships. Never does it result in value and praise.
The life assumption I think is more true for me to live by is that in every circumstance and understanding, I could be wrong. I have some strong opinions about many things. For example, I have a theological education and served as a minister for 20 years. I have come to believe certain things about God. Yet despite these firm beliefs, I continue to find that my perceptions about God could and should be altered.
To say “I could be wrong” is not to abandon every belief I have as some untruth. Rather it is to take the position of a humble student. It is to understand that I have much to learn about everything. It is to embrace the world and one’s ongoing experiences as teachers. Often these teachers confirm what I already held as truth. At other times, these teachers cause me to expand or alter my “truths” in small and large ways. If I am not open to the possibility that what I currently believe could be wrong, then I will miss the real truth that lies before me.
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