"That you do not err is a fallacy, for it is a false theory that no human being should or can sustain. Mortal man is liable to err."
Inordinate overconfidence is a possible plague spot for leaders as will be shown in what follows. Inordinate extreme overconfidence takes place when a leader has spent so much time prayerfully guiding the pastors or other workers that he begins to view himself as always correct. Overtime that view solidifies into stubbornness, which allows poor decisions to creep in that are only revisited with difficulty.
I studied this subject because I noticed an overconfidence, recalled reading about such a thing though labeled as infallibility in the writings of Ellen White, and thought I should no more. In searching out the concept I was pleasantly surprised to get real answers on a thorny question.
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1 Peter 5:2-3 (NKJV) "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
In this verse Peter reminds that God has assigned shepherds who voluntarily serve as overseers of the flock for the right motives, do not exert an inappropriate domineering or kingly spirit, and lead by example. The "Lording over" comes in a variety of ways, but for this update, we are looking at the lording that comes as "persuasive" lording instead of force. One form of this persuasive lording is the ongoing assertion of being right, taken to the extreme, almost becomes believing oneself to be infallible.
This update therefore looks at infallibility, a term that is occasionally found in the writings of Ellen White, sometimes referring to those in leadership positions, but can apply to all of us since we have our moments of over confidence in our assertions and decisions. I have been carefully studying about unity and leadership for several months now and have occasionally run across the word. This morning I was impressed to study the concept more carefully. Doing a search of "infallible" or "infallibility" brought more than six hundred hits, more than I had time to study. Then I searched the following word pair: "conference president*" and "infallib* (the asterisk allows me to see anything that follows the asterisk: president or presidents; infallible or infallibility. That word pair yielded only a small number of hits, but brought the information I was seeking.
Before sharing more, I want to say that I am not throwing stones or trying to cause trouble, just trying to understand what is meant by infallibility, understand how it develops and how it is overcome. I choose to study without a critical attitude, believing that all of us have a proclivity for thinking too highly of ourselves. I also believe we gain nothing by judging and condemning others. I can assure you if you were to examine my life you would find plenty to condemn, but by the grace of God I am growing and plan to be in heaven, and I want all of you there as well.
Let me also say that my studies are increasingly calling me to pray for the people who wield key roles in our church. They have grave responsibilities and face the same attacks from the devil we face, only with greater intensity and frequency as a result of their greater responsibility. So what I share should be seen as a call to pray, not information to use destructively.
Definitions Of Infallibility
Regarding infallibility, Noah Webster's 1928 Dictionary defines infallibility as "not fallible; not capable of erring; entirely exempt from liability to mistake; applied to persons. No man is infallible; to be infallible is the prerogative of God only."
Speaking practically, a person who seems to be acting infallibly—I say "seem" because no one knows the heart; no one can accurately judge motives— not only feels he or she is right, but feels that in a really strong way—almost like they cannot be wrong. I would suggest that there is an inordinate level of self-confidence. If there is also an accompanying reticence to cling to their opinions, it becomes problematic—sometimes exceedingly problematic. Sometimes there is also a blindness to this tendency—I read of being blinded by self. However, Webster correctly notes that no man is infallible, for such a status is only found in God.
So the question comes, how does this infallibility develop? Does one just wake up feeling that way.
I found insights on the reality of infallibility in a series letters that were written to conference leaders in the early 1900s. The first series of articles speaks to the tendency of spiritual leaders to believe their understandings and decisions are right. The second set of paragraphs comes from a second letter that speaks to how the sense of being right—infallibility—grows over time. The final set, from a third letter, looks at how things should be and how to protect from inordinate infallibility occurring. The latter provides wonderful admonishments of how we should relate to each other.
Letters 1 and 2 (Lt 156 and 157, 1910)
"As my eyes pain me I can scarcely tell your dangers as fully as I would be glad to do. Your idea that the positions you assert are infallible is very dangerous. Your fallibility is shown in claiming that position. The Word of God is Yea and Amen. {Lt 156, 1910, par. 1} … Elder James White was received and trusted. He never claimed infallibility. The light given him was always received and always believed because the Holy Spirit accompanied the message of the testimonies entrusted to give to God’s people. They had been proved. But there was a class that refused the testimonies and went into fanaticism. {Lt 156, 1910, par. 3
"There were men of great self-confidence who refused the light God had given and declared their position to be infallible. Notwithstanding the evidence was sufficient, they refused to receive the light given in the testimonies. {Lt 156, 1910, par. 4} …
If one differs from his brethren and insists he is infallible, he is a dangerous element; if he never yields that he has anything to correct, he is in a dangerous position. {Lt 156, 1910, par. 8}
It is a great fallacy in a man [to claim], because he has accepted certain theories, that his ideas are infallible. If others cannot see these things in the same way another sees them, what then? Because he has expressed his faith in that sentiment, has he immortalized that idea in his mind as unchangeable? There are some who express ideas as the truth, but is that man’s mind immortalized? Is his view of matters unchangeable? We need good, sound common sense. If we have certain ideas of things and another views these things in a different light, and expresses them thus, what shall be done? Withdraw fellowship from him? No; but these objectionable things, if expressed, cause dissension and strife. {Lt 156, 1910, par. 9}
{Lt 156, 1910, par. 8} "That you do not err is a fallacy, for it is a false theory that no human being should or can sustain. Mortal man is liable to err. {Lt 157, 1910, par. 5}
Letter 3 snippet explains how a personal sense of infallibility develops.
"It is not justice to have the burdens that must come upon the president of any conference placed upon one man year after year, for a condition of things will come into existence that will not be for his good or for the good of the conference. It is in this way that one man’s mind and judgment comes to be thought infallible. The work is in the Lord’s hands, and He will signify to us when He has a man prepared for the place. Until then we may let our minds rest. {Lt 87, 1898, par. 2}
Letter 4 explains how things should work.
"Do not stand apart coldly and criticize. You may not always be on the ground where decisions must be made at once; in many matters, things will have to be carried forward without consultation with you. This principle the Lord presented to me distinctly in the case of Elder B. He was placed where God should be. His brethren should have considered that they were under the Captain of our salvation, that they must look to him, be guided by him, and use the wisdom God had given them to devise and to plan the work. But instead of doing this, they depended upon Elder B. to be mind and judgment for them. Warnings were given of a character similar to that which I am giving you; yet Elder B. came to feel injured, as if due respect were not shown him, if he was not consulted in every particular. {Lt 17, 1894, par. 8}
"I have been shown that this is not the prerogative of the president. The workers must have a chance to act upon their own judgment <under the moving influence which the Lord gives His workers> when a special work is assigned them. God will lead and guide and bless them. He will give them light as to what the people need. You are not the one to decide what shall be their course of action, and the portion of meat that is to come to the children of God. No man’s hand must be laid upon them, to hinder them. If mistakes are made, and the president of the Conference is aware of these things, let him not move a stone, or take one step to condemn or to criticize on account of any story until he has heard from the lips of others, until he shall either see or communicate with the one that is thought to be in error. {Lt 17, 1894, par. 9}
“Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” [1 Peter 5:3.] 1 Peter 5:1-10. One man’s mind, one man’s judgment, is not to be a controlling power, even though he is in the position of president, for that position does not give him infallibility. He is human and fallible, and will often need counsel from his brethren. ... When, under trying circumstances, or in an emergency, ministers whom God is using in His cause exercise the best judgment they have, be careful how you censure or criticize. Even presidents of conferences have censured unjustly, when if they had been in the place of their brother, they might not have done as well as he did. This was the case in New York and in many other places, and decided testimonies have been given on this point. {Lt 17, 1894, par. 10}
"Let not evil speaking so leaven the mind that unjust suspicions shall be entertained. Let there be no variance between brethren, no discord, no emulation, no strife. We are called to think the best of all. If Elder B. had done this, if he had refused to listen to the suggestions of his wife, and not been influenced by what he thought to be her superior discernment, he would never have made the record he has made, but would have carried the banner of truth forward to complete victory. Let the workers be loyal and true to one another. God abhors the evil surmising, the withdrawal of sympathy and affection for one another because of some supposed mistake. How much better to go in faith and love to the brother we think to be in error, and say, “Let us talk this matter over,” and then consider the matter fairly, in brotherly love, with the spirit of Jesus. O how near the heavenly angels would come to brethren who should thus practice the words of Christ! There would be manifested a most precious phase of the perfection of Christian character. {Lt 17, 1894, par. 11}
"We are called to work circumspectly toward all. We are not required to search the characters of our brethren, as many search the Scriptures, in order to make apparent the differences that exist between us and them. God calls upon all who name His name to be one. We are called to walk in love one toward another as dear children, and in so doing this door that so often flies open to criticism will be firmly closed. The Lord would work in mighty power with His children if they would be kind, respectful, ever tender and loyal to guard one another’s interest. {Lt 17, 1894, par. 12}
Summary
We have learned that the temptation to infallibility is real and affects well-meaning people. We also learned that the tendency to feel infallible grows over time, and can eventually result in the Holy Spirit not being given room to direct and give wisdom. Sadly as infallibility grows, there also develops a tendency for people to stubbornly cling to their decisions, which brings trauma to the situation and sometimes damages people. To prevent the problem of infallibility, leaders should remember that they are not to take over God's role of directing. It is also helpful for leaders to not stay in their positions too long. Infallibility can also happen in other circles such as the family.
Applying
Recognize that an inordinate sense of self-confidence can afflict anyone.
Recognize that the antidote to infallibility may preclude holding a leadership role for too long since the temptation for infallibility tends to increase overtime.
Recognize that the safeguard against infallibility is seeking out the counsel of others, even those who disagree, comparing suggestions with the admonishments of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.
Recognize that sometimes we may need to seek additional counsel to make sure our strong opinions don't sway things outside of God's will.
Treat with respect those who disagree.
Appreciate those who agree, but seek out other opinions.
Ask God to keep you humble.
Ask if any of this applies to home or your job site?