{"id":708,"date":"2014-10-05T22:17:41","date_gmt":"2014-10-06T03:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/focuspressblog.com\/?p=708"},"modified":"2014-10-05T22:17:41","modified_gmt":"2014-10-06T03:17:41","slug":"q-id-rather-be-loving-than-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tampaseo.expert\/focus\/2014\/10\/05\/q-id-rather-be-loving-than-right\/","title":{"rendered":"?Q: “I’d rather be loving than right.”"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are times when the truth is hard; Situations where revealing the truth to somebody is unpleasant because of the circumstances. Pointing out to a good-hearted person that they are committing adultery and cannot continue in that relationship, for example, is no fun.
\nSometimes, perhaps to avoid the difficulty of moments like this, people will suggest \u201cI\u2019d rather be loving than right.\u201d It has become a catchphrase like \u201cerr on the side of caution\u201d or \u201cbetter safe than sorry.\u201d
\nThe trouble is, withholding the truth in unpleasant moments is not \u201cbetter safe than sorry\u201d or \u201cerring on the side of caution.\u201d It\u2019s dangerous and potentially deadly.
\n A False Choice<\/strong>
\nWhat might be even more taxing than the refusal to acknowledge biblical truth on a matter is how \u201cI\u2019d rather be loving than right\u201d suggests that a person can only be one or the other. It presents a false choice; as if you cannot deliver a hard truth in a loving way.
\nBefore going any deeper, it\u2019s appropriate for me to acknowledge two things:
\nFirst, the Bible commands that we speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to be thoughtful and tasteful in choosing our words (Colossians 4:6). If we do not speak the truth in love we\u2019re falling short of God\u2019s ideal. Period.
\nSecond, most of us (likely all of us) have had moments in our lives where we have spoken from a motive other than love.
\nMaybe we wanted to win an argument or prove a point. Perhaps we wanted to look super-zealous. Whatever the reason might be, you\u2019ve probably been there.
\nFor my part, I admit that I have fallen short of God\u2019s ideal at times. I have repented, asked for God\u2019s forgiveness (Acts 8:22), and I strive to do better.
\nA Better Way<\/strong>
\nIf I have the right information and the right motive, I can (and should) be loving and<\/strong> right. This is far better than an either\/or proposal.
\nIf balance were easy, everybody would do it.<\/em> Since it is difficult we have a terrible tendency to drift to one extreme or the other. Romans 11:22 speaks of the goodness and severity of God; Can we talk about both or must we exclude the severity of God so we can spare the feelings of the lost?
\nWhen Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees he observed that they gave attention to some very small details but neglected the weightier matters of the law. Interestingly, he did not tell them to stop paying attention to the details, but to also note the heavier things: \u201cThese you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone\u201d (see Matthew 23:23).
\nWe need to strive for balance instead of creating false choices.
\nCritical Questions<\/strong>
\nDoes being really friendly excuse error?<\/em>
\nIs it really loving to withhold the truth from somebody because we are afraid it will offend their sensibilities?<\/em>
\nThe apostle Paul once asked \u201cHave I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?\u201d<\/em> (Galatians 4:16). Despite all the love, sincerity, and care a man can muster sometimes the listener will still reject the truth. This hardly condemns the speaker for saying what needed to be said.\u00a0<\/strong>
\nA version of love that refuses to tell the truth is not genuine love. God has revealed the truth (John 17:17) and we cannot be ashamed of his words (John 12:48-50).
\nLet\u2019s take the \u201cor\u201d out of the equation; I\u2019d rather be loving and<\/strong> right!
\nBy John Allan<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are times when the truth is hard; Situations where revealing the truth to somebody is unpleasant because of the circumstances. Pointing out to a good-hearted person that they are committing adultery and cannot continue in that relationship, for example, is no fun. 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