Winning the Battle, Losing the War, Missing the Point Entirely
I’m not taking sides.
Well, not with this post.
I just think that the presidential debates make a great illustration.
According to the spin after the last two events, President Obama “out-debated” Mitt Romney and, according to professional observers, he “won both debates.”
But following each debate, the polls have grown in favor of Mitt Romney.
How does one win a debate and yet lose the voters?
Ask us Christians, we do it all the time.
We know we’re right. We’re pretty driven by that fact.
So, we practice explaining how right we are. We take classes and workshops. We read books on how to explain our “rightness” to those who are wrong.
And they are wrong.
And we are right.
But too many of these conversations end up like these political debates. We win the conversation but loses the listener
and that’s pretty much the opposite of the point, isn’t it?
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 NIV
I believe the key for Christians is to pursue a love for Jesus and a love for people Jesus loves just as diligently as we study our talking points. We should do the former without neglecting the latter.
Jesus said that people will know us by our love – not because we make the best argument.
Clanging gongs win lots of debates but the fumbling phrases of a loving servant-heart can move a person closer to Jesus.
Do you want to win or do you want to love?
Do you want to silence your opponents or serve the King of Kings?
Sometimes we can win the battle but lose the war and miss the point. Maybe I’m wrong – but I don’t think so.
What do you think, loved ones?
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” I Peter 2:11-12
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Great reminder. You’re spot on again!
Thank you.
I’d rather be right with God than win an argument.
Absolutely.
It’s funny how each political party claims victory after a debate. The voters will one day decide. I’ve seen movie reviews that tell me the movie is awful, yet I’ve enjoyed it. Someday I’ll hear the words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” That is the judgment I can trust. I’m not called to national attention or some foreign country, just to my own community. It’s here that I must be a good and faithful servant. I won’t debate His victory, I will try to show His love to others by doing the job He called me to–teaching the Word and loving the learner–that’s the victory I want.
Fascinating. LOVE this post. Thanks for getting my noggin going today 🙂
Great post! I need to be reminded of this.