Something I’ve learned is that the strive for truth brings peace. Truth defends itself. I can consider something I may disagree with and listen to learn because the strive to be right has been replaced with a strive for the truth. I used to get defensive at least internally, mostly due to past trauma I didn’t understand how to heal from yet. It was also insecurity stemming from the strive for perfection. Regardless of the root, defensiveness is a trigger to protect either from past pain or to protect a false belief.
It’s easy to spot false beliefs in churches. They’re the ones where people immediately react, try to justify, or shut down, but the strive for truth doesn’t do this. When this happens, it reveals a false belief usually rooted in idolatry.
The cost is very high to alleviate defensiveness. It requires everything our flesh hates – being wrong, admitting we’ve been deceived, acknowledging we may have hurt others, and accepting the necessity to change our entire lives around the newly-found truth.
There’s certain subjects Christians are not allowed to talk about, including but limited to church failures, divorce, idolatry, and abuse. People get really defensive about these topics and refuse to listen and consider the perspective because their triggers and beliefs are at stake. They are only interested in giving parroted responses and supporting verses, but are not interested in biblical evidence contrary to their view. They are not ready to hear that their beliefs may not be based in full truth.
And so, life goes on and the truth continues to be the truth, but the silencing and defensive behavior grows worse and worse until churches are filled with the controlled narrative and all others are cast out into the void.
The devil masquerades as an angel of light. He comes into church circles with half-truths that may work for most people, but will isolate and severely damage a small vulnerable remnant. He goes after those who have no support, no voice, and are easily ignored, disregarded, labeled a stubborn outsider, and forgotten. His destruction and division comes packaged with enough biblical truth to deceive those who haven’t witnessed that side of evil or those who are unwilling to consider an alternative.
God tells us to defend His Word, but the strive for truth doesn’t need to shut down or silence those in disagreement. Sharpening one another is a path toward truth and peace. Defensiveness as a reaction limits growth and brings division and turmoil because it isn’t from God.
It’s unfortunate that so many people go through so much suffering before learning deceptions that their churches are teaching as truth. It’s often these times that free them from bondage, but also cast them away from the church due to ongoing defensiveness.
Not everything the churches have taught has been right and not all new information is a deception. God calls His people to strive for unity, but this can only happen if defensiveness is replaced by a strive for truth.
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. – Proverbs 18:2
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. – Proverbs 12:15
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame…An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. – Proverbs 18:13,15
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. – 1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. – Romans 16:17
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. – John 10:10
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:31-32
