I’ve talked before about how our perceptions often don’t match reality. But what about situations where we may even intellectually know something to not be true but we still try to convince someone that it is. We’ve probably all been guilty of this.
Intellectual dishonesty is something we’re probably all guilty of. We have a viewpoint we like and then we often try to find evidence to support our viewpoint. Even when the evidence doesn’t fit, we may try to make it fit. I’ve actually noticed this happen quite a lot, particularly in political debates. Cable news shows often show where the moderator is arguing with a guest. They have one political view and the other person has another political viewpoint. A lot of times one person will feel they have to make the evidence support the facts in order to make their political point. I’ve seen people do this. In some cases, I may even agree with their political view. Yet, I can tell, if I’m being really objective that the evidence just doesn’t fall in line with what they’re trying to say.
I’m sure you’ve seen these. You know, where two people are talking at each other instead of to each other. The moderator keeps interrupting the guest and the guest keeps interrupting the moderator. You can’t understand what either one is saying. And at the end of the show you wonder why you even bothered to watch and why they even bothered to have the discussion.
Actually, this really bothers me because I think it really hurts your argument more than it helps it. Especially, if the person is on the side I agree with. I wish they would just stop talking until they have better supporting evidence. One thing I also notice in these political scuffles on TV is that no one ever goes away thinking any differently than they did when they walked in. I mean, I’ve never seen anyone in the TV studio at the end of the talk say, “Wow, you made some good points. I’ve really changed my mind on that.” Of course, I understand too, that pride is involved in a lot of that. No one really wants their argument to fall apart on national TV. That would be embarrassing. But I still think there is room for a more honest talk between two people.
I guess objectivity is the key word here. We should be as objective as we can in a discussion with those of opposing views. This is not always easy, of course. But if you want to be able to get someone to see your side, I believe you will have a better chance if you have the facts in your favor. Also, I think it is important to try to realize where they are coming from if you can. This way you can step outside of yourself and you might have a better chance of getting them to see an error in their thinking if you also know their perspective. This can be especially effective if you used to think the way they do. You could probably see how you could be convinced using your same argument.
Now, of course this also applies to talking to those who oppose our Christian views and the Bible. If you read Ephesians 4:14-15 it say, “That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: So, firstly we need to know and have a foundation for what we believe and why we believe it. This way we will have, not only support for what we believe, but we will also not be swayed when someone comes across our path with opposing viewpoints. If you have sound doctrine to back you up you are standing on solid ground. And, as believers, we do have evidence to support our argument.
I think, also, we need to be careful even within the Church in talking to other believers. Even though we are all believers there may be areas we don’t all agree on. Now, if these areas are essential doctrine we shouldn’t compromise on that. Other areas, however, there may be room for debate. We may want to discuss some of these things with each other but it’s probably best not to get so adamant that we cause an offense.
1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” This verse talks about our need to be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope that is in us. You see, often times, unbelievers may be able to see something in you that they can’t identify. They know that something is different, though. They may be able to see the hope that is in you. This is the Holy Spirit drawing them near. This is when you need to be ready to respond. And the end of that sentence is important also: ….with meekness and fear. So, we should be humble in our approach to people and also respectful of them as well. I know there have been times when I approached people with the gospel and I went about it entirely wrong. I was so worried about defending my viewpoint that I didn’t even think about how I was coming across. I was expecting antagonism from them and it made me confrontational. It was probably important for me to remember that if they were asking me about the Gospel, that they were curious and genuinely wanted to know.
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Another verse in 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Again this talks about having solid doctrine and always being ready. We may not know when we may run into someone needing to hear the message of the Gospel. It is important that we adhere to sound doctrine. I’ve seen, though instances where it’s really easy to get off into the weeds in a discussion. You may end up going around and around with the other person and end up going in circles. I think we have to use our best judgment in these cases. If this does happen, I think it’s important to remember to pray for them and also for ourselves that we would know what to say and for God to show us any areas where we could be in error.
At the end of the day, though, it’s important to remember that we can’t change anyone’s hearts. The Holy Spirit does that. So, we preach the word while allowing God to work in them.
Ephesians 4:14-15 it say, “That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:
1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”