The Costly Pursuit of Truth: Embracing Humility in a Divided World

We live in an age where everyone seems certain they're right. You've probably heard the old saying: "Rule number one, I am always right. Rule number two, if you think I'm wrong, see rule number one." It's funny because we recognize the absurdity—yet if we're honest, don't we all struggle with this at some level?

Pride is a universal human condition. It whispers that we already know everything we need to know, that our opinions are unassailable, that changing our minds would be a sign of weakness rather than wisdom. But Scripture paints a radically different picture.

The Danger of Certainty

Consider this sobering statistic: when doctors are completely certain about a diagnosis, they're only right 60% of the time. Let that sink in. Even experts in their field, when absolutely convinced of their conclusions, are wrong four times out of ten.

This isn't just a medical phenomenon—it's a human one. Our confidence often exceeds our accuracy. Proverbs warns us clearly: "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud" (Proverbs 16:18-19).

The Crisis of Teachability

Pride crushes our capacity to learn. It shows up in subtle ways:

• "I already knew that" (even when we didn't)
• "Who do you think you are to tell me?" (dismissing wisdom based on the messenger)
• Refusing to reconsider opinions when presented with new information
• Fearing that admitting we were wrong means we are fundamentally flawed

But here's the truth: making a mistake doesn't mean you are a mistake. God doesn't make mistakes, but we certainly do. The wise response isn't to dig in our heels—it's to acknowledge the error, correct it, and move forward.

Humility says: "This is what I think, but I could be wrong." Humility seeks truth over victory. Humility recognizes that we can learn from anyone—even our enemies—in any situation.

Closed Hands and Open Hands

Not everything is up for debate. There are essential truths of the Christian faith that belong in our "closed hand":

• God exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins
• The Bible is trustworthy and authoritative
• All humanity is born into sin and needs redemption through Christ
• These doctrines are settled. They define Christian faith.

But many other matters belong in our "open hand"—opinions that can and should evolve as we mature, learn, and are exposed to truth:

• Details of end-times theology
• Specific applications of biblical principles to modern situations
• Political positions and policy preferences
• Cultural and philosophical questions

The problem arises when we treat open-handed matters as if they belong in the closed hand—when we elevate our preferences, traditions, or political convictions to the level of gospel truth.

Why We Resist Learning

Several fears keep us from being teachable:

Fear of failure: We've been taught that being wrong means we're stupid. But wisdom actually requires changing our opinions when we encounter truth. Only fools cling to opinions they know are wrong.

Fear of open-mindedness: Some worry that being open-minded means abandoning biblical truth. But there's a difference between being open to truth and being "tossed back and forth by the waves, carried about by every wind of teaching" (Ephesians 4:14). We can be firmly grounded in Scripture while remaining flexible on matters where Scripture allows freedom.

Fear of losing our tribe: Perhaps the most powerful fear is social rejection. We see this in the Gospel of John, where the blind man's parents refused to testify about Jesus' miracle because they feared being kicked out of the synagogue. We're still more afraid of tribal rejection than almost anything else—including death.

The Information Crisis

Today's challenge is compounded by a fractured media landscape. Different news organizations don't just interpret the same facts differently—they often report on entirely different stories. One outlet covers stories 3, 4, 5, 11, and 22-29 from a list of 50 significant events. Another covers stories 1, 2, 7, and 30-45.

We end up with different facts, not just different interpretations. This makes genuine conversation nearly impossible. How can we discuss what's happening in our world when we're literally talking about different events?

The solution isn't to retreat from information but to pursue truth more diligently. Truth is expensive. It requires time, effort, and the humility to expose our assumptions to new facts—even when those facts are uncomfortable.

The Call to Unity

Ephesians 4:1-3 provides the roadmap: "Live worthily of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness and patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace."

Notice the phrase "making every effort." Unity doesn't happen accidentally. It requires intentional work, powered by the Holy Spirit.

The beautiful truth is that unity doesn't require uniformity. We can hold different opinions on open-handed matters while maintaining genuine fellowship around closed-handed essentials. We can disagree about politics, cultural issues, and practical applications while standing firmly together on the gospel.

Practical Steps Forward

Proverbs 18:15 tells us: "The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge." We're never wise enough to stop learning. Here's how to cultivate teachability:

1. Humble yourself daily. Recognize that your perspective is limited and your opinions are fallible.
2. Listen to rebuke. When someone challenges your thinking, don't immediately dismiss them. Pray and ask God if there's truth you need to hear.
3. Expose your assumptions to new facts. Actively seek information that might challenge your current understanding.
4. Seek truth, not just information. Don't settle for easy answers that confirm what you already believe.
5. Be mentally flexible. Ask God to change your mind when it's appropriate.

The goal isn't to be wishy-washy or to lack conviction. The goal is to hold our convictions with appropriate confidence—absolute certainty about gospel essentials, humble flexibility about everything else.

In a divided world, teachability is a radical act of faith. It declares that we trust God enough to let Him reshape our thinking. It demonstrates that we value truth more than being right. And it opens the door for genuine community, even amid disagreement.

May we all become people who are quick to listen, slow to speak, and eager to learn—at any age, in any situation, from anyone God places in our path.