Wrong Assumptions

Wrong Assumptions

What are assumptions?

Assumptions are defined as the act of taking possession or asserting a claim; something taken for granted or accepted as true without proof

Therefore wrong assumptions can be defined as something wrongly taken for granted or falsely accepted as true without proof.

Making wrong assumptions is not innate but is a learned behavior in my opinion. Often times we are too lazy to find out the entire truth so we assume.  As Christians often times we believe that if we take God’s word on the surface that its “good enough”. We believe because God is a God of mercy and the Bible tells us that He is good, it’s okay for us to pick and choose what we “feel” is right or wrong. Hence, wrong assumptions. For instance we assume that if we go to church every Sunday and “live right” God is automatically happy with us or is on our side. We assume as human beings in general; that is believers and unbelievers alike; that with such things as material prosperity is as a result of God being on our side so no further action is required on our part and we are not outside His will. But this is not true. It’s a matter of complete obedience. Prosperity is ours no doubt, its promised to us as children of God, however we also understand that as it is written in Matthew 6:13 that we must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us.  John 8:32 says “we shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free”. The key word there is “know”; know the word, know your God, know the circumstances and seek to understand the entire situation, whatever that might be.

Wrong assumptions lead to wrong conclusions

When wrong assumptions are made we don’t get to know the whole truth because we’ve already appeased ourselves with the half truth.

-It’s important to speak with integrity. Jeremiah 9:23 This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,  or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things.  I, the Lord, have spoken!”

-Humility takes us a long way. That one possesses a PHD does not mean that person knows everything. In other words we should not display a” know it all attitude but rather be open minded.

James 4:6, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

-Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don’t gossip or speak against people. We must use the power of words in a way that will direct people in the way of truth and love.

-Don’t take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. Most times people’s words or actions are a projection or their own reality. It’s important to become immune to people’s opinions and actions so you won’t feel or become victimized.

-Ask questions, get clarity

-Be expressive in asking questions. Learn to communicate with others to avoid misunderstanding sadness and drama.

-Put your best foot forward in action and in thought. Don’t be complacent in doing whatever. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

With the recent actions of the Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage in America, people of different beliefs and backgrounds have been expressing their feelings and opinions via social media, myself included. A certain actor/ comedian made this statement that speaks very clearly to making wrong assumptions, he said: “Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle you must hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe, say or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.”

This says so much and it is so concise. The truth is knowing and understanding where people are coming from in their thoughts and actions and addressing just that. Communicating and not imposing your own personal judgments or opinions on people. The truth is the Word, which is written and cannot be compromised. That should be the yard stick for all situations.

~OSF