Slippery Slope of Certainty

Godly men love truth—that deep desire to anchor ourselves in what’s right and holy. But loving truth also comes with its challenges. Certainty often feels like the natural extension of truth, and it can be a good thing. A man who is certain in his convictions is often admirable and steadfast. But more than ever, I’m concerned about the slippery slope of certainty. When it’s not held in check by humility, certainty can blind us to other perspectives and to the brilliance, even the humanity, of people who disagree with us.

Just being real—this tension stresses me out. I want to stand firm in truth, but I don't want to be so certain that I cannot even consider another point of view. I know guys who are that certain about everything, and it’s hard not to see red flags. Why? Because certainty without humility feeds pride, and pride makes us blind to the humanity of others.

Take Saul, for example. Before he became Paul, he was absolutely sure he was doing God’s work by hunting down Christians. He was zealous, passionate, and totally convinced he was right. But his certainty gave him tunnel vision, and it took Jesus literally knocking him off his horse to open his eyes—both physically and spiritually.

It seems like the longer we hold on to a particular truth, the harder it gets to empathize with people who think differently. Instead of listening, we write them off. Instead of trying to understand, we call them fools. But Scripture warns us against that attitude. Jesus said calling someone “Raca” (a word of contempt) puts us in danger of judgment because it reveals a heart problem: pride (Matthew 5:22).

And here’s another tough pill to swallow: the more mental gymnastics we have to use to defend our so-called certainty, the more likely it is that we’re leaning on human logic instead of God’s wisdom. And human logic? It’s nothing but foolishness to God (1 Corinthians 3:19).

A Cultural Perspective

This obsession with certainty? That’s a very Western thing. Western culture—shaped by Enlightenment thinking—is all about logic, individualism, and having the "right" answer. It’s easy to get so caught up in being right that we forget the value of relationships and collective understanding. But other cultures don’t have this struggle.

In a lot of Eastern cultures, there’s more room for paradox and ambiguity. Truth isn’t always black and white; it’s multifaceted. Wisdom comes from holding opposing ideas in tension. For example, in Taoism, they talk about yin and yang—the balance of opposites working together. Instead of demanding certainty, these cultures value harmony and the humility to admit our understanding is limited.

That said, Eastern approaches aren’t without their challenges. Sometimes the embrace of ambiguity can lead to a lack of conviction or a reluctance to stand firm on essential truths. The key is to learn from these perspectives without compromising the foundational truths of our faith.

Indigenous cultures offer another perspective. They often focus on community, storytelling, and lived experiences over abstract principles. Truth is more about what strengthens relationships and aligns with the natural world than some rigid, universal concept.

When we recognize these differences, it helps us see the limitations of our own perspective. The Western craving for certainty isn’t the only way to approach truth, and stepping back can help us develop the kind of humility and empathy God calls us to have.

1. Pursue Truth with Confident Humility

I've written and spoken about confident humility before - probably too much, but it’s exactly what we need. Confidence says, “I’ve done my homework; I know what I believe.” Humility says, “But I also know I might be wrong, and I’m willing to learn.” These two have to go together.

Look at Jesus. He knew the truth—He is the truth (John 14:6)—but He never bulldozed people with it. He approached them with love, patience, and a willingness to engage. He didn’t shy away from calling out sin, but He also didn’t dismiss the sinner.

2. Pick Your Battles Wisely

Not every hill is worth dying on. Some truths are non-negotiable—the gospel, the nature of God, the authority of Scripture. But let’s be real: a lot of the arguments we get into, especially with other believers, are about secondary issues. They might be important, but they’re not worth breaking relationships over.

Paul lays it out in Romans 14: stop fighting over disputable matters. Instead, aim for peace and build each other up. That doesn’t mean we compromise truth; it means we prioritize unity and love.

3. Remember the Foolishness of Man’s Wisdom

If you find yourself twisting in circles trying to justify your point of view, hit pause. Ask yourself: are you leaning on God’s wisdom or your own? Scripture says God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). Even the smartest human reasoning can’t hold a candle to His divine insight.

When you’re certain about something, check it against Scripture. Pray for discernment. Seek advice from godly men you respect. And don’t be afraid to admit, “I don’t know.” That’s not weakness; that’s wisdom.

Closing Thought

As men, we’re called to love truth. But that love has to be wrapped in humility and grace. Remember, our ultimate goal isn’t to win arguments—it’s to win souls. Let’s tackle every conversation with the mindset of Christ, who, even though He was God, didn’t cling to His status. Instead, He humbled Himself and became obedient—all the way to the cross (Philippians 2:6-8).

In the end, truth will stand on its own. We don’t need to defend it with arrogance or contempt. Certainty can be admirable, but it must be held with open hands. Stand firm, love well, and let God take care of the rest.