I Told You So
Scripture Reading: Acts 27:21-26
Generally speaking, the old “I told you so,” is not a good look. It conveys pride in yourself and unjustifiable condemnation of others. Usually, we use it when we want people to acknowledge our rightness about a subject. We were frustrated at being ignored or rejected and we want our views affirmed and our wounded pride assuaged.
Paul, I believe for different reasons, plays the “I told you so” card in Acts 27. He does so, not to get an ego boost, but to get a hearing for himself, but for the Lord. Paul didn’t do this to take his shipmates down a notch, he did it to bolster their faith and give them hope that their lives could be spared.
The other thing I would point out is that Paul wasn’t exalting his wisdom and his superior knowledge. He was glorifying the wisdom and knowledge of God. Paul told the men on the ship that what he was telling them wasn’t the opinion of his reasoning, it was the words of a revelation from God. He wanted them to have faith in God, not in him. He was just the mouthpiece for the Lord.
In this, Paul was following a long line of spiritual traditions. Joseph and Daniel, when called before kings to interpret dreams, gave credit to God. They turned the gaze of their audiences away from themselves and toward the heavens. All of the prophets spoke of the “Word of the Lord coming” to them. They weren’t speaking out of their experiences and intellect as much as from God’s revelation.
I think it is wise to not say “I told you so often,” but if you must play that card, do so in a way that turns others’ attention to God, the gospel, and Jesus Christ. Do it in a way that gives people hope and helps make the situation better. Otherwise, bite your tongue.
