Getting It Right

by

Pastor B.J. Knefley

Why is it that there appears to be a great attempt on the part of people to be right? Everyone seems to have an opinion about everything. Often the opinion is expressed without facts or information. Any attempt to enlighten them with the facts usually is refuted with more opinion.

People have opinions about many things. Politics, local events, other people, and the run of the mill gossip can each generate enough opinions to last a lifetime. You name it and someone will have an opinion about it. Everyone seems to have a desire to be right, so why don’t we just attempt to get it right in the first place?

It saddens me to see the many opinions that are expressed without the benefit of facts. Read any news blog or watch any news program and they all seem to be riddled with opinion, while at the same time represented as truth. We then take these opinions and share them with others as the gospel truth. After all, it must be true because we heard it from this network news show or, some famous person or another said it. In some ways it’s comical.

I’m not against opinions, after all, I have some too. But I am against those that persuade others to become judge and jury because of their opinions. Opinions that cause us to be distrustful of others or cause us to act in a manner that is mean and harmful go too far. The arena of public opinion can ruin others and cause a great deal of pain and hardship. Nothing has to be true anymore, it just has to be presented as true.

There is a simple thought that states we are to do unto others, as we would have them do unto us. I think it goes well with another one, “Love your neighbor as yourself”. These are simple thoughts that could have a profound impact on the lives of many, if we’d only practice them. Getting it right may have more to do with keeping our mouth shut and our emotions in check while we engage our mind. Our opinions may in turn become helpful rather than destructive. Think about it.