“For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
This portion of Scripture provides us with an opportunity to make a few additional observations concerning Paul the Apostle’s conduct in Thessalonica. One of those observations involves Paul’s sincerity: “…the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you” (NIV). In other words, Paul was not a religious charlatan, nor did his ministry operate under a false pretense or ulterior motive. Instead, he was genuine and upfront about what he believed and why.
Paul experience in Thessalonica also illustrates one of the challenges we may encounter as we engage with others on the subject of Christianity. That challenge often involves “confirmation bias” or “…the tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with one’s existing beliefs.” (1) In this context, confirmation bias refers to the preconceptions that people often bring to a discussion of spiritual matters.
For instance, let’s take the example of a person who encounters a religious media ministry that engages in questionable fundraising tactics. Such a person might conclude that “religion is a scam” despite Jesus’ own teachings on the proper attitude towards money. Or perhaps they may hear of a spiritual leader who has engaged in a blatantly hypocritical lifestyle and come to the erroneous conclusion that “all religious people are hypocrites.” The problem is that attitude overlooks the fact that Jesus saved some of His strongest criticism for those who claimed to know God in theory but were far different in reality…
“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you look righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:27-28 NET).
Much like Paul the Apostle, a commitment to a God-honoring lifestyle can help undo these negative preconceptions. It may also provide us with an opportunity to earn a fair hearing in presenting the Word of God to others. As St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th century friar famously observed, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.”