You're Wrong, I'm Right. You're Stupid, I'm Smart.

As I sat at my computer the other day, I came across a quote by Carl Sagan. As a Christian, I find atheist quotes instantly get me upset. And so, I have to ask myself why.

Why Josh?

I'd love to say it's simply because of my zeal for God to be honored... Unfortunately, though I'd hope for this to be my response someday, I don't think that's the case now. I think it's just pride on my part. It's the same feeling as when some MU fan spouts off about their rival KU. As a KU fan, I get irritated and want to prove them wrong. Same with the atheist. I want to prove them wrong.

But here's the problem...I don't think God is honored by proving people wrong. God is honored, glorified (made to look good), when people confess who He really is and worship Him (confess He alone is worthy of our devotion and adoration). While this might, at a very superficial level, still seem like "proving them wrong," it's notably different from a typical attempt to prove someone wrong. How?

Well, people tend to feel justified when they prove someone wrong. "You said God wasn't real, but He is! See! YOU WERE WRONG and I WAS RIGHT! My beliefs are valid and justified. I'm on the right team." That's prideful justification on our part because we're concerned with being right, not with God being right. If we want God to be glorified, then we should want to help others come to Him... not prove them wrong.

Again, God is most glorified when people become worshippers...when they enjoy Him. Think of it this way. Is your favorite sports team or politician made to look best when you prove their opponents wrong? "Actually sir, your statistics on Robinson's free throw percentage are dramatically flawed. See this link for the actual number." BOOM! In your face! Hmm... Or are they made to look best when a doubter becomes a fan? "You know, I hated Robinson and thought he was overrated, but hearing you talk about his personal suffering has made it so I want to cheer for him." Exactly. The latter scenario honors Robinson much more. The opponent is no longer simply wrong about Robinson, they are a follower. And so it is with God...

Our response to a person's hatred and criticism of God should be to show them a glimpse of God's love and mercy in our response... not worry about being "right." I think this is the sentiment behind the archangel Michael's response to Satan (in some bizarre situation involving the body of Moses) when he said "The Lord rebuke you!" He realized that it's up to God. It's God's place to rebuke. God's place to be proven right. God's honor that matters. Michael didn't feel the need to prove his point. He just left it up to the ultimate Judge.

To me, this plays out in all kinds of everyday scenarios and frees me up to love God and love people without having to worry about being right all the time... something I worry about FAR too often.