John 9:18 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents.

I have long loved this particular Bible story for a number of reasons, but at this point it illustrates our human capacity for stubborn unbelief. We make a joke of, “My mind is made up. Don’t confuse me with the facts.” However, that’s all too often literally true. That’s why apologetics, the branch of theology devoted to explaining the truths of God to those who would dispute them, can be an extremely frustrating exercise. It is deeply satisfying when logic and emotion coincide, but that is all too often not the case. That has come sharply into focus with the current trend of “my truth” and “your truth.” Either something is true, or it’s not. Standing on the side of the logical truth of genetics and biology gets you branded as the worst sort of bigot in some circles today. It would be completely laughable if the results weren’t at times so tragic. Mutilation of confused children is tragic any way you look at it, but there are those who fight tooth and nail to keep doing that sort of thing. The worst thing these Pharisees could do to this man was excommunicate him, which they did, (verse 34) but that didn’t change the glorious reality of his healing. When we encounter people like these Pharisees, about the only thing we can do is pray for them, all the while speaking the truth in love. At times that can seem like a total waste of breath, but God can use our words in surprising ways sometimes. What we are not to do is deny truth in an effort to be politically correct.

I like to think I have always been stubbornly logical, as well as completely truthful, but that would be conceit. I too am capable of rejecting facts that don’t reinforce my opinions. I’ve got to remember that the only opinion that ultimately matters is God’s. After all, He is the very definition of truth! (John 14:6) I’m not to project a smug, “I’m right and you’re not” attitude, ever, but am rather to relate to people in the humility of knowing that only God has everything right. I have always loved C. S. Lewis’ statement in The Great Divorce: “One thing we can be sure of is that when we get to heaven, we will discover we were all wrong somewhere.” However true my conviction might be, it must be expressed in love or it will be worthless. (1 Corinthians 13:1)

Father, thank You for this reminder. There are some tragically absurd things being trumpeted as facts these days. I do pray that Your truth would penetrate into people’s hearts and minds and set them free from the traps of the devil, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!