Can you appear to be wrong?

For the truth – can you appear to be wrong?

Some leaders when facing criticism or challenges to their authority are tempted to seek to defend themselves. They need to be vindicated, so they think, when actually they don’t.

“Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong – not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭

What I have learnt in life and these verses support it, is this:

• I don’t need to prove my critics wrong.
• I will appear to be wrong in the eyes of people even when I’m not … and that’s okay.
• The welfare of others is more important than my own reputation, “you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.”
• “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth” this is Paul saying he cannot manipulate truth to serve his own purpose, he is not the master of it but the servant and he cannot work against it for his own reputation.

There are times because you are a lover of the Church and importantly a lover of truth that you will choose the path of appearing to be wrong even when you know you’re not.

It’s called the cross.