Right – Wrong? Yes – No? Good – Bad? A blend of diametrically opposed opposites? Is everything relative? Is there NO standard? Is the whole world ‘wrong’ in this view or is it only me? I find the shifting sands of definitions extremely taxing. And I don’t even want to think about ‘political correctness’. Lately, I’ve come to believe that the important consideration is what I’ll do in this world of changing descriptions, definitions, and ‘standards’. Not only ‘what do I believe’, but am I willing to act on this – realizing that my actions may not be acceptable in our world?
This isn’t so much an issue of not knowing or not understanding, but a stand for what is believed. It is also a willingness to accept the ramifications that occur because of acting on one’s beliefs. If my tune is from a different drummer, will I stand with this or point fingers that it really isn’t my fault? Will I ‘own’ what I believe and stand on, or will I accept the cop out that everything is relative? Is ‘relative’ only another word for it doesn’t matter? In the final analysis, it is my decision and it is my standard.
The scripture that directs me is: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’, ‘No’. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Those words were spoken by Jesus in Matthew 5:37 and should end any argument. It doesn’t though because we all tend to complicate things and get into the circular argument that it could depend on the situation… or people… or… My argument would be that there would be less miscommunication and mixed messages if we all did follow the direction that Jesus gave. I suspect that the underlying reason really is one that we don’t want to appear to be ‘wrong’ or we’re people pleasers or worse – both.
One question I need to ask me is am I willing, however and whoever defines ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, to act on what I believe (not just think it)? Another question is, would there ever be a reason for me to change my tenet? My answers to these questions also defines my character. And I also believe that ultimately, when or if every ‘thing’ is stripped away, the only thing you own is your character. Character is important and defines relativity (if only to you and how you respond to it).
