Always Right

Oddly enough, March 15th marks the made-up holiday Everything You Think Is Wrong Day. No one knows exactly how it originated, but the day is intended to remind people that they are not always right. Even more intriguing is Everything You Do Is Right Day, which is observed on March 16th! Similarly, the origins of this celebration remain unclear, though I suspect it was created solely as a counterbalance to Everything You Think Is Wrong Day. Given the choice between the two, it’s obvious that most—if not all—would prefer Everything You Do Is Right Day.

After all, who enjoys being reminded of their mistakes? Most people would rather embrace a sugar-coated lie than confront a bitter truth. When charging Timothy with faithfully preaching the gospel, Paul wrote, “A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3 GWT). It might come as a surprise to some, but church services are not meant to make us feel “comfortable.” People often seek to have their egos stroked, when they should instead have their toes stepped on.

This raises an important question: how often do we shut our ears to constructive criticism while eagerly tuning in when someone sings our praises? Solomon wisely declared, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15). He further stated in Proverbs 21:2, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” The reality is that we should all be willing to learn from our mistakes and accept the helpful admonitions of others. This requires regular self-examination, done honestly and daily, by looking into the mirror of God’s Word (James 1:13–27). We should seek God’s help in chipping away at hidden sin and pride within us, longing for Him to mold us into the image of Christ (Psalms 139:23–24).