For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:17
I once knew a medical provider who sold a specific nutritional supplement, which he believed he’d researched and proven to be effective. The problem was that if the one doing the research gains from the finding of that research, then he or she can no longer be objective. If this provider sold the product and benefitted financially from it, then his findings simply couldn’t be trusted. It was easy for me to be critical of his supplement sales. I think he truly believed in what he was doing, but it was obvious that his financial interest completely clouded his judgement. Because of his blatant self-interest, I couldn’t believe in his cause
I consider myself above such obvious self-interest. I tell myself I’m only interested in the truth. Once I believe in a thing though, I invest in it with my worst form of currency – my pride. If I think a thing is true, it must be so and I cannot be wrong. I may not be making any money off my position, but neither can I be objective about any challenge to my belief because my ego is now on the line.
In a recent discussion with a friend about Covid-19, he presented some information that was counter to the position I thought to be true. I didn’t ask questions, I didn’t explore the source, and I didn’t consider the possibility that it was true. I simply dismissed it. His information opposed my position and therefore could not be tolerated or deliberated. In that moment, I no longer pursued the truth, I simply sought to protect my pride. In abandoning objectivity for such blatant self-interest, I forfeited my claim to the truth.
As Christians, we’re particularly prone to this. We believe a thing because of our faith and so we think it’s not ourselves we’re defending, but God. When we meet an argument then, we dive in the deep end with arms flailing. Often though, we’re no longer interested in the other person’s good, but rather just proving that we’re right. Usually, it’s not God we’re standing for, but rather our own pride.
As followers of Christ, we will have to stand for truth. The challenge though, is to always make sure it’s not our ego for which we’re fighting. We’re not in this for ourselves. Rather, we’re to follow God’s will. We’re to be transformed and filled by him so that his love, grace, and mercy flows out of us into the lives around us.