Can You Be Wrong?

The question is simple, but it cuts deep: Can you be wrong? Most of us will say yes without hesitation — and then live as though the answer is no. Paul's own life is the most powerful answer Scripture gives us.

A Good Conscience Is Not Enough

When Paul stood before the Sanhedrin in Acts 23, he opened with a bold claim: "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." No one in that room could shake his confidence in his own sincerity. And yet sincerity is not the same thing as correctness. Paul himself admitted in Philippians 3 that he had been "circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." (Phil 3:4-6) He had done everything he knew to do — and he was wrong. Our background, our upbringing, the religious tradition we were handed — these shape our conscience powerfully. But a shaped conscience is not always a correct one.

Truth, Not Sincerity, Is the Standard

In John 8:32, Jesus promises, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." And in His prayer in John 17, He makes plain what that truth is: "Sanctify them through Your word. Your word is truth." (John 17:17) God does not simply ratify whatever we sincerely believe. Paul said as much when he preached on Mars Hill — God once overlooked ignorance, but now commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Ignorance is no longer an excuse. That places an obligation on every one of us to keep seeking, keep studying, keep coming to a clearer understanding of what God's word actually says — not what we were raised to think it says.

When You Learn Better, Do Better

This is the heart of Paul's testimony. In 1 Timothy 1, he looks back on everything he had done — blaspheming, persecuting, imprisoning Christians — and he does not hide it:

"12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (1 Tim 1:12-15)

The mercy Paul received did not come because God winked at his sincerity. It came because, when the Lord met him on the road to Damascus, Paul stopped — and turned. When someone pointed out in Acts 23 that he had reviled the high priest, Paul did not push back or make excuses. He said, in effect, You are right. That is repentance in its plainest form: when you learn you are wrong, you stop, and you go the other way. The writer of Hebrews warns that too many Christians never develop beyond spiritual milk — never training their senses to discern good from evil (Heb 5:12-14). That is a dangerous place to stay.

In Closing

Peter's final word in his second letter is simply this: "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Pet 3:18) That growth is not optional. Can you be wrong? Yes. The harder question is what you will do the moment you find out. Paul's answer was to do better the instant he learned better — and the grace of Christ met him right there. That same grace is extended to every one of us today. When we learn better, let us do better.