How many of us are guilty of arguing our point til we are blue in the face?
We feel like if we don't prove to ourselves or others that our point is the valid truth, then we are less of a person.
But how many times does this argument for “I'm right and you're wrong” completely destroy our image of who we are in Christ?
So often, we choose to crush someone emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually because we don't agree with something they say is the best way to put together a shelf from ikea or because they stated the wrong name for the founder of Chick-fil-A.
Where does this stop? Why do we ALWAYS seem to have to or want to be right all the time?!?
It's time we stop trying to be all right, and try be all righteous.
Right -vs- Righteous
Let's say you are faced with a discussion about what fruit flavors are in Minute Maid's Fruit Punch…
Gregg says it's pear, pineapple, orange, and apple because that's what the picture looks like on the front, but Janette says “No Gregg. You are wrong. It's actually pear, pineapple, orange, and passionfruit like it says in the ingredient list.”
You may say this argument is silly to even consider, but consider this.
Janette was trying to tell Gregg about her Jesus over lunch at a local deli and during their conversation she asked him what ingredients were in the fruit punch to compare it to the ingredients of how to be a Christian. When Gregg listed off the wrong fruits, rather than just going with it, Janette felt the need to correct him.
Is this an act of righteousness or rightness? Is proving you're right an act of love??
I'm sorry Janette, but you shouldn't have handled that in that manner.
At that point in time, unbeknownst to Janette, Gregg lost all interest in her Jesus.
By trying to prove herself right, she failed to show her righteousness.
You may say this is a silly scenario, but the reality of it is that these things REALLY do happen!
I know, because I have been “right” so many times, and pushed countless people further away from God's love than they were in the first place.
Learning to be righteous amidst all the rightness has been a challenge to say the least. I have struggled with being “smart” about facts when all along I should have focused on being smart with my faith.
So it's time to check yourselves.
Are you being right? Or are you being righteous?
If someone has there heart set on doing something a certain way, and you know it can be done a better way…let them try it there way instead so they can learn from their own mistakes and grow themselves.
If someone doesn't have their facts straight about something, and you know they are wrong and you know the correct information…let it go!
I promise the world will not explode if they are wrong.
So again…Right or righteous?
You decide.
