Why Do You Listen To Him?
A part of my usual morning routine–at least on Monday through Friday–is listening to a podcast by a man with whom I disagree on some very important doctrinal positions. While those positions are discussed from time to time, most of his podcast has to do with current events and various social and societal matters from what he calls a “Christian worldview.”
I’m well aware of the fact that some may ask the question in the title: “Why do you listen to him?” Why, indeed, would I listen to a person with whom I don’t totally agree?
Lately, I’ve been giving some thought to that question. I’ve also given some thought to the fact that my practice is not limited to my selection of podcasts. I get a lot of information from sources that present viewpoints that are different from my own.
For example; when I read Bible commentaries, I do not limit my selection of authors to those who I know will agree with my position on every matter. I’ve found that I can learn some things of value from them even though we disagree.
While I (as probably most of us do) seem to gravitate toward news outlets, speakers, authors, talk shows, etc. that are pretty much “where I am” on things, I also listen to people whose opinions are different from mine. At times, those opinions are much different from mine.
As I suspect is also the case with most of us, the neighbors and friends with whom I spend the most time are people who are pretty much “on the same page” with me. However, I also have neighbors and friends who are not “on that page.” We still converse, share opinions, and remain friends.
I think (at least I hope) that, as I’ve grown older I’ve learned that listening to the opinions of others has a number of benefits. Among them is the opportunity to learn about and consider different opinions and relate to people who have them. As a person who is interested in the eternal destiny of souls, I find it absolutely necessary to try to determine “where people are coming from” as I try to teach them the gospel.
I’ve also found that, at times, listening to and considering the opinions of others has caused me to “firm up” my own opinions. At times, I’ve found out that I believed something to be true primarily because I just kind of took it for granted that it was true. “Doing my own digging” has sometimes given me much more confidence in my own position.
Of course, there have been times when “doing my own digging” has caused me to alter or change my own opinion. It seems to me that there is a vast difference in being confident in a position and in being too stubborn to change it.
It has been suggested many times that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. That suggested reason is that we would be wise to listen at least twice as much as we talk. I would add one thing to that observation. It seems to me that God also gave us a brain so that we can discern the difference between truth and error, what is beneficial and what is not, what makes sense and what does not, etc.
I don’t know about you, but I am very thankful that the sum total of all I know is not only what I have thought of myself. I am very thankful for people who have educated me, challenged me, caused me to think, and helped me to grow.
It occurs to me that, if I only considered the opinions of those with whom I am in total agreement, my sources of information and my circle of friends would be severely restricted. I can even see a scenario in which that circle would include only me. That would be very tragic because I’m not too sure I even agree with me all of the time!
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
