I enjoy to watch a television show entitled, “¿Quién Tiene la Razón?,” airing on the Spanish language network Telefutura. The show’s title translates literally to “Who has the reason?” which is a Spanish way of asking, “Who is right?” On each episode, individuals involved in a personal conflict come onto the show to argue their “side” of a dispute. At the end of the show, the live studio audience votes on who, indeed, is right. The winner receives nothing other than an affirmation from the audience that they are “right” and that his/her nemesis (who is often a friend or family member) is “wrong”. It can be entertaining, based upon the circumstances, but I often wonder what the point is in making such a determination. Although a winner is declared, it does not appear to persuade anyone to change their mind.
When you engage in conflict with someone, is it important to be right? Many times in my life, I have been convinced that “being right” was important, even if there were no implications to the detail being disputed. One time, when I was a college student, I was involved in an argument over a trivial fact, and wanted everyone to know I was correct so badly that I brought in a book to verify that a statement I had made was indeed accurate. Although everyone then knew that I was “right,” there was something that felt strangely about it deep inside. There was a hollowness to the victory.
We should certainly seek truth in all situations, as is important to be knowledgeable. However, we must tread carefully when trivial conflicts arise. Which is more important: to prove yourself “right”, or to maintain your relationships with friends and family?
1 Peter 3:8 states, “Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
In the spirit of unity, humility, and tenderness of heart, sometimes it is best to let it go, move forward, and save your energy for a battle worth fighting!
