Is being half-right better than all wrong? Not if it makes you presume you know more than you do.
Erasmus in c. 1500 first recorded the proverb, “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.” H.G. Wells wrote a short story, C.S. Lewis a poem, and Michael Flynn a novel, all sharing the title, “The Country of the Blind.” In the following verses (Job 34:31-37), Elihu describes Job as such a man. He may be considered wise among spiritually blind men, but not with God, whose “eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps” (v 21). Job, like a one-eyed man, sees only part of reality. He perceives God as supreme but not sympathetic, mighty but not merciful, active in the world but not attentive to poor Job. Is Job going to say to the Lord, “Teach me what I do not see” (v 32)? Are you asking the all-knowing God to reassess and adjust His conclusions—based on His full-orbed knowledge and all-encompassing character—to agree with your imperfect perception? “Should He repay it according to your terms…?” (v 33). Divine justice can’t acquiesce to the criminal’s plea, “If I have done iniquity, I will do no more” (v 32). In other words, “You may think I’ve done something wrong. Whatever it is, I’ll promise not to do it again. Can we just let by-gones be by-gones?” Of course not, says Elihu. If that’s what you’re thinking, “You must choose, and not I; therefore speak what you know” (v 33). How often have I thought to disagree with the Lord, He who knows everything and I who know so little (see v 35)? How often have I thus charged Him falsely (see vv 36-37)? How often have I presumed on His grace? Listen: “There is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (Ps 130:4). His abundant mercy shouldn’t cause us to take Him for granted, but to reverence Him who, at such great expense, forgives.