It’s Not Always Important To Have The Last Word

Something that I have learned since joining the ministry is that I do not always have to have the last word. This is something that many people learn as they get older but it’s not something that everyone learns as there many people, elderly people, who think they must have the last word and final say in all things regardless of what it is.

Before I joined the ministry and for some time after, I was one of these people who thought I had to have the last word but the more that I grow and mature in Christ, the more I see that having the last word is not nearly as important as having peace. Yes, there are times in life when having the last word is important but there are many, many times when having the last word is an issue of pride rather than it of importance.

There have been times in personal relationships when I wanted the last word because I thought I was right and most everyone can relate with this but this is a matter of pride. Sadly, most of us only learn when it’s too late that what truly matters is the happiness of our significant other and not our own foolish pride. There is a reason why a person should seek after someone similar in nature and who values the same things such as value but most importantly, who shares in the passion of Christ and when two givers are together, they only have to watch Christ work.

When I was younger, I had the mindset that I knew a lot and while I did study and research a lot, nobody knows as much as they think they do. Even the professionals who make it look easy and seem like they know a lot, well, most of them are able to be seen through. What they see as facts are often opinions wrapped in pretty paper and this was the same for me. Now, I will give my opinion but I do know that if someone does not accept it, I cannot make them. Rather, I have learned to live by the words of Christ: “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” (Matthew 10:14).

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet”

–Matthew 10:14

It is nice to have people listen to you especially when you put in the time and effort to learn about the respective issue. The older that I grow, the more time and effort I devote to learning about what I am speaking of and I take pride in this but I do realize that many people will go with their emotions and feelings rather than what I have spent time researching. Regardless, though, what truly matters to me is not what others think but what Christ thinks because He is the only that has the final say in all things as we answer to Him and not man: “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29)

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men”

–Acts 5:29

There are many times when I catch myself getting wrapped up in a conversation or discussion and really defending what I am saying. Again, there are times when this is necessary but it’s not always necessary and as I have learned over the last six months or so, most of these things do not matter. While it is fun to have conversations and to build upon other beliefs, we should not allow it to take over our happiness and peace. This is something that I was guilty of and something that I am learning to steer away from: “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil” (Proverbs 16:1-4).

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil”

–Proverbs 16:1-4