HOW CAN WE PREVENT ASSUMPTIONS FROM BECOMING DANGEROUS?  Genesis 20:1-18 “Well,” Abraham said, “I figured this to be a godless place. I thought, ’They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ ” (Genesis 20:11)

BEWARE OF ASSUMPTIONS THAT LEAD TO DISOBEYING GOD.

Because Abraham mistakenly assumed that Abimelech was a wicked man, he made a quick decision to tell a half-truth. Abraham thought it would be more effective to deceive Abimelech than to trust God to work in the king’s life. Don’t assume that God will not work in a situation that has potential problems. You may not completely understand the situation, and God may intervene when you least expect it. Josh. 22:9-34 Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, replied to them, “Today we know the LORD is among us because you have not sinned against the LORD as we thought. Instead, you have rescued Israel from being destroyed by the LORD.” (Joshua 22:31)

CHECK ASSUMPTIONS BEFORE ACTING ON THEM.

When the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar at the Jordan River, the rest of Israel feared that these tribes were starting their own religion and rebelling against God. But before beginning an all-out war, Phinehas led a delegation to learn the truth. He was prepared to negotiate rather than fight an unnecessary battle. When he learned that the altar was for a memorial rather than for heathen sacrifice, war was averted and unity restored.

As nations and as individuals, we would benefit from a similar approach to resolving conflicts. Assuming the worst about the intentions of others only brings trouble. Israel averted the threat of civil war by asking before attacking. Beware of reacting before you hear the whole story.

DAMAGING ASSUMPTIONS

HOW DO ASSUMPTIONS HURT PEOPLE?  Job 13:1-12

For you are smearing me with lies. As doctors, you are worthless quacks. (Job 13:4)

ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING THE LIVES OF OTHERS LEAD TO TROUBLE.

Job compared his three friends to doctors who did not know what they were doing. They were like eye surgeons trying to perform open-heart surgery. Many of their ideas about God were true, but they did not apply to Job’s situation. They were right to say that God is just. They were right to say God punishes sin. But they were wrong to assume that Job’s suffering was a just punishment for his sin. They took a true principle and applied it wrongly, ignoring the vast differences in human circumstances. We must be careful and compassionate in how we apply biblical condemnations to the lives of others; we must be slow to judge others. John 3:1-21 After dark one evening, a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to speak with Jesus. (John 3:1-2)

ASSUMPTIONS CAN MAKE US DEVALUE PEOPLE.

Are there people you disregard, thinking they could never be brought to God-such as a world leader for whom you have never prayed or a successful person to whom you have never witnessed? Don’t assume that anyone is beyond the reach of the gospel. God, through his Holy Spirit, can reach anyone, and you should pray diligently for whomever he brings to your mind. Be a witness and example to everyone with whom you have contact. God may touch those you think most unlikely-and he may use you to do it.  Acts 9:1-18 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!” (Acts 9:13)

ASSUMPTIONS CAN MAKE US GIVE UP ON PEOPLE.

"Not him, Lord, that’s impossible. He could never become a Christian!” This was the essence of Ananias’s response when God told him of Paul’s conversion. After all, Paul had pursued believers to their death. Despite these understandable feelings, Ananias obeyed God and ministered to Paul. We must not limit God. He can do anything. We must obey; following God’s leading even to difficult people and places.