Acts chapter 21 verses 27-29 (NIV)
When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”(They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)
Here we see the problem of making assumptions when we don’t know the full story. The crowd at the Temple were stirred up by a group of people who had made an incorrect assumption. We may have come across people who make assumptions about the bible who have perhaps never read it, or who may take certain verses out of context, and that’s why we must make ourselves familiar with it, so that we can teach the truth, and if necessary, but with grace, point out someone’s error.
However, we too must be careful not to make assumptions about people who may cross our path. In John Chapter 7 verse 24 we read what Jesus told His disciples about this, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” We would be wise to follow His instructions.
Dear Lord,
Help me to heed Your advice and not make assumptions without knowing the full facts. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.