If the internet has been good for one thing, it has provided a forum for nearly anyone to post their opinion about something. I’m not saying that this is a good thing, but simply that the internet has facilitated it in a manner that is difficult to comprehend otherwise. What makes it less than a good thing is that it puts our pride on display, often in the ugliest manner.
Most of us have opinions that we believe reflect the wisest and best way to look at something. We don’t want to be wrong in our thinking, so it is only natural that we reach conclusions and formulate opinions that reflect, at least in our own minds, that which is correct. Then, given the ease with which we can make our opinions known online, and the relative anonymity and perception of protection that we feel behind a keyboard and screen, we post our opinions for all the world to see. Sometimes we do that in narrowly-focused forums and chat groups, and sometimes we swing for the fences with sites that have a broader audience. We do it for a variety of reasons, some more honorable than others, and we do it with ease. Unfortunately, we sometimes do it without really thinking it through, which means that sometimes we get it wrong.
We can get it wrong either by simply reaching a conclusion with faulty logic or insufficient information. There’s no shame in that. Einstein got things wrong, but he learned from his mistakes and took measures to correct his theories. But we can also get it wrong by delivering a sound opinion in a harsh manner that ensures that others will not bother thinking about it. In either instance, whether wrong by conclusion or delivery, the proper thing to do (if we want to be decent people) is to identify our mistake and apologize, and then see what can be done to correct the mistake.
Unfortunately, while we are really good at expressing our opinions, we are equally poor at apologizing. To say “I’m sorry, I was wrong” is to admit that you were not right. Whereas our pride makes it so easy to assume that we are right, humility is required to admit when we weren’t. Today we suffer from an overabundance of pride, while humility is among the rarest elements on earth. Hardly ever, in the arena of freely expressed opinions, will you see someone publicly offer an apology.
We would do well to remind ourselves of the wisdom from Proverbs 16:18 that states “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” It seems like we are teetering on the edge of a precipice, yet we’re all so convinced that we are right that we’re unwilling to consider that our opinions may be what have driven us to the edge. Unfortunately, if we go over the edge, it will be because of our own efforts, and it could be a very long way down.
We can show some humility while we are still up on the higher ground, or we can allow ourselves to be humbled by the fall that awaits us. Personally, my preference would be that we indulge ourselves in a bit of introspection to see where we might be wrong, and then apologize and see what we can do to correct our course.
Peace and blessings – Pastor Aaron