Real Hope: Opinion & DisagreementEsimerkki

Seek Truth Not ‘Rightness’

At the heart of many online debates is someone trying to share 'their truth.' Often, they’re wanting to rally others around a belief of that same truth, and the virtues of everyone’s opposing views are hashed out until the loudest, fiercest and most influential among the chorus stamps out the opposition. The winner’s perspective may not be accurate, but its gained momentum and mass, and is therefore triumphant.

What does it mean to ‘win’ in these forums anyway? What is the point of sharing our truth? The Bible tells us you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. This verse is talking about knowing Jesus and being free from sin and death while pointing to a broader reality: that truth is a conduit to freedom. Freedom from delusion, freedom from fear, freedom from judgement and freedom from oppression.

When we share what we believe to be true online or in person, we must ask ourselves: Is someone else’s freedom our goal, or are we just wanting to showcase our ‘rightness?’ In the noise of opposition that flows abundantly on any social media feed, what would happen if, instead of hastily defending our view of what’s right, we paused to consider not if we’re right or wrong, but whether we’re seeing an issue how God sees it? Is what I want to write a reflection of His truth that brings freedom, or a reflection of my desire to be right?

When you see what feels like ignorance being let loose and want to scream at your screen, ‘Why don’t they get it?’, could we be disciplined enough to pause and reflect? And humbly admit when our reply isn’t the best response?

Written by LAURA BENNETT