Some years ago friends of ours introduced us to a new television series; Psych became a family favorite! The main character in that comedy is Shawn – an incredibly observant guy who pretends to be psychic in order to work with the Santa Barbara police department and use his sleuthing gifts to solve crimes as a contractor. Throughout the series, Shawn struggles when it comes to “rejoicing with the truth.” Whenever he made a factual error (usually mispronouncing something – like Queen Nefertiti or sous-chef), his response is always, “I’ve heard it both ways.”
Think about what that response reveals. When one of his best friends (usually either his buddy Gus or his crush Juliet), shares new information with him in order to help him stop making mistakes like pronouncing umlaut “omelet,” Shawn doubles down on his goof. He refuses the well-intended truth! This is a recurring theme in Shawn’s life. It is also, although generally less blatantly, a pattern in ours.
When those we love (best friends, spouses, siblings…) correct us by offering information or a perspective that we were either never exposed to or didn’t properly understand, we often fall back on the old “I’ve heard it both ways” defensive posture. We are too proud to acknowledge that we erred. We equivocate and try to make it seem that new information notwithstanding, our old way of pronouncing things was every bit as valid as the new way. As genuine post-modern creatures, we perceive reality through our identity and preferences; we are slow to let facts get in the way!
Now take a moment and stretch that very human, very sinful tendency across the landscape of your heart and mind. Certain data that you are exposed to is rejected out of hand – without anything like a careful consideration of its source or validity. As a culture, here in America at least, we can shop for the version of ‘truth’ that most suits us. In fact we are encouraged by our culture to interpret all of life in terms of our identities! Facts and politics are inseparable. Facts that disagree with your frankly existential and subjective notions are not even admitted as being no more or less valid than your facts. They are often vehemently rejected – whether or not they are actually true. That is how culture works in America today.
In as much as this is the case, we as a culture radically fail to obey Christ’s command to love. Essential to the Scripture’s definition of love is this: Love rejoices with the truth. Or, as some translations put it – “joyfully celebrates” with the truth.[1] Too often we celebrate power over such an inconvenient notion as truth.
Do you celebrate the truth when it contradicts you or the interests of your identity group or political party? Or are you so naïve as to suppose that the “other” is always and completely wrong? Learn how to love!
Do you joyfully acclaim your spouse’s insights or education when you are offered truth in exchange for your error? Or do you begrudge the fact that you feel “one-upped?” Learn how to love!
The love God calls us to delights in truth – whenever, however, and from whomever it is learned. Truth, merely as truth, is always a cause for rejoicing. The Christian man or woman is eager to cheerfully learn – even if that learning is brought about through correction (see 2 Timothy 3:16). This February, as our thoughts may turn at least in part to consider love (and those we love) let us prayerfully seek to love as Christ would have us to. May we rejoice with the truth always in every area of our lives!
Your Pastor,
Bob Bjerkaas
[1] Anthony C. Thiselton, The First Epistle to the Corinthians; NIGTC (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2000), s.v. “13:6,” p. 1055.
N.B. The image is provided by pdpics.com. http://pdpics.com/photo/2554-truth/