I’ve had thousands (millions?) of conversations over the years. . .as we all have. One particular type of conversation is discussing an aspect of faith with someone who is either a non-believer or someone who is trying to justify a position that I don’t find supported by the Bible. One friend in particular stands out in my mind. She espouses perspectives with which I don’t agree. Despite having grown up in a Christian home, she has generally walked away from Christianity.
As we have conversed over the years, one phrase that I have used regularly is that I’m willing to be wrong on certain topics. In saying that, I let her know that I am doing my best to be open-minded and listen to her perspective. It allows the conversation to continue.
To be clear, there are topics on which I am not willing to be wrong: Jesus Christ is the one way to the Father is a big one. That is the foundation stone of my faith. Without that, everything else crumbles.
However, if we aren’t willing to be wrong, there’s a certain lack of humility/arrogance in our conversations. That’s very off-putting to someone on the other side of the conversation. If you aren’t willing to be wrong, why have the conversation?
It isn’t that we should abandon our foundations/beliefs. However, it is the process of allowing the conversation to continue and actually listen to the other side with empathy for their perspective. You may still not agree with their perspective. The friend and I still don’t agree on a number of issues. However, I’m still willing to listen. I’m still willing to be persuaded. I’m still willing to stack up what they say against what I see in the Bible which I count as the foundation of my beliefs.
When this is your foundation of working to find the truth in the matter and being willing to be wrong about things, you open the door for the other person to not only be heard but to have a conversation with humility with them that lets their guard come done.
Not every difference will be resolved. You won’t agree on everything. However, when you’re not willing to be wrong, you’re more likely to not agree on anything. An invisible barrier is created when you are so rigid in everything.
One of my friends talks about a group of individuals that got together to discuss what they really believe. They put everything on the table that they believe and it couldn’t come “off the table” until they had fully vetted it with scripture and not just tradition. That is an example of willing to be wrong.
Relationship with God is the foundation of the Christian walk. If you’re not willing to be wrong, either with another person or with God, the relationship aspect falters.
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