Reflecting on John 9:13-34” You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.” (John 9:34)
The best way to beat your opponent is to shame and belittle them.
When the goal of a debate is to win, attacking others is effective.
You point out their weaknesses, their failures, their errors.
You highlight your own good points, and their own worst points.
This is effective humanly speaking, but it does not lead to truth.
Our goal is not winning, but wisdom, to know the truth of God.
We do not know the whole truth, and so we should always listen and learn.
Whether it is a donkey speaking to us, or a sinner, it might be God.
Whether they are on our team, or share our views, God can speak.
These religious leaders were not seeking truth; they wanted to be right.
As Jesus followers we should pay attention to how we debate with others.
Do we attack those we disagree with, or listen for what might be true?
Do we throw others out rather than have to put up with their views?
Closed hearts produce closed minds, and keep the doors closed to others.
This may be effective in the world, but it is not the Jesus Way.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to be a seeker of truth, and not a winner of arguments. Help me to listen for the best in others, and not just dismiss them because of their weaknesses. Help me to see and hear You through the people I prefer not to see and hear.
Open ears and an open heart to hear the voice of God when I am least to expect it. He is everywhere. He uses others also to help me see His power and majesty.
1 See, the Lord hath made us by His mighty pow’r,
And He watches o’er us every day and hour;
This we do remember when we kneel in prayer,
God is up in heaven, God is everywhere.
Refrain:
God is everywhere, yes, God is everywhere,
God is in the valley, God is in the air;
God is in the mountain, God is in the sea,
Anywhere we may go, there God will be.
2 Nothing can we hide from His all-seeing eye,
Whether on the land, or in the sea or sky;
Darkness cannot hide us from His blessed face,
For His holy presence dwells in every place. [Refrain]
3 All our words and thoughts are to Him fully known,
We shall surely reap the deeds that we have sown;
From Thy holy presence we can never flee,
For the day and night are both the same with Thee. [Refrain]
4 Look down in our hearts, Lord, let us see today
If there should be in us any wicked way;
Help us ever serve Thee with a Godly fear,
Help us know that Thou art present everywhere. [Refrain]