"It's All About Who You Know"

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, 
I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal"

1 Corinthians 13:1

Have you ever just known you were right?

You are in a conversation with someone about something you are passionate about. You really want them to hear what you are saying.

But, is it possible that what you really want is for them to understand 

that you are right?

I think we are all this way, at times.

We have a sense of well being when we can justify our beliefs and actions with well formed thoughts and articulate argument.

Throw in a few 'big' words, accurately placed and 

we feel like such a 'smarty pants'!!

Now I agree, there is nothing wrong with a great debate. 

However, it is wrong to clang your way through a conversation just to prove you are right.

It is okay and even good to be right, but not at the point of smugness; for even if you should 'win' the debate, you will often lose in the end, if you miss the greater good.

I had a professor in college once say, 

'you may win an argument 

but lose the soul.'

Healthy discussion or even having a great vocabulary adds depth to our conversation.

However, if we become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal, and have not love-then we are simply left with noise!

And noise for the sake of noise, is annoying.

It is an error on our part to think that we have all the answers, 

as everything can be taken away in an instant.

Our knowledge, 

Our gifts and talents,

Our reasoning, and our health.

Poof! Gone in a New York minute!

You see, God sees past our knowledge and into our hearts.

He sees clearly...

with the wisdom of the ages.

It is always best 

to ask Him before speaking 

to give words to speak, 

ears to hear 

and a heart that understands.

"...knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 

And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, 

he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 

But, if anyone loves God, 

this one is known by Him"

(from 1 Corinthians 8. 1b-3)

What a relief!

When we get past our stuffy selves.

We see there is one thing that matters more than being right.

To be known by the eternal One!

is of significant value in a world that everyday, 

leads us closer to eternity.

Think about it!

What matters more, is not how much puffy knowledge you have, because, lets face it, you won't always be right.

But, instead it is the love 

that we have inside to build each other up that transforms our cymbals and brass into a magnificent symphony worth listening to.

It is in this moment of glorious harmony that we begin to understand what it is,

to be known by God, while sensing the 'greater good' of the eternal.

Absolutely, be willing to share your knowledge. 

But, do so in love, otherwise all anyone really hears are the crashing of your cymbals and noisy brass.

How ridiculous and futile it is 

to become a clanging gong of correctness when there is no love!!!

No humility!

I love the part of the scripture that says...

'he knows nothing yet as he ought to know'

The next time you are in a battle of the wits, 

remember it is never about "what" you know.

It is instead...

about Who you know.

Remember:

James 1:17

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Application:

Consider your heart and your words the next time you are in a discussion. 

Ask Jesus to speak though you in love.

Then sit back and watch your God given knowledge, be as an ointment,
 to those who long to hear the music again.

photo source: unknown