Jumping To Conclusions
A self-appointed supervisor of a little rural town’s morals accused a workman of having turned to drink because she had seen “with her own eyes” his wheelbarrow standing outside a tavern. The accused made no defense, but that evening he parked his wheelbarrow outside her house and left it for the night!
The Bible has some things to say about false accusations. “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape” (Prov. 19:5). Earlier, the same writer said, “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Prov. 6:16-19). The New Testament refers to “a heart that devises wicked plans” as “evil suspicions” (1 Tim. 6:4). It refers to conjecture, or supposing that something is wrong and then spreading the suspicion as the truth. The word “gossip” is not found in the Bible, but it refers to spreading falsehoods about others. Paul referred to it as slander (2 Tim. 3:3). W.E. Vine defines slanderers as “those who are given to finding fault with the demeanour and conduct of others, and spreading their innuendos and criticisms in the church.” The Lord’s attitude toward that may be indicated in the meaning of the word diabolos (devil), which means “an accuser, a slanderer, is one of the names of Satan” (Vine). The devil falsely accused God to Eve in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:5), and he falsely accused Job to God (Job 1:9-11).
How many times have we jumped to conclusions without knowing all the facts? Someone said “digging for facts is better exercise than jumping to conclusions.” There is enough evil in the world without us imagining it where it does not exist! How would you like it if someone parked his wheelbarrow in front of your house and left it overnight?
The Bible has some things to say about false accusations. “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape” (Prov. 19:5). Earlier, the same writer said, “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Prov. 6:16-19). The New Testament refers to “a heart that devises wicked plans” as “evil suspicions” (1 Tim. 6:4). It refers to conjecture, or supposing that something is wrong and then spreading the suspicion as the truth. The word “gossip” is not found in the Bible, but it refers to spreading falsehoods about others. Paul referred to it as slander (2 Tim. 3:3). W.E. Vine defines slanderers as “those who are given to finding fault with the demeanour and conduct of others, and spreading their innuendos and criticisms in the church.” The Lord’s attitude toward that may be indicated in the meaning of the word diabolos (devil), which means “an accuser, a slanderer, is one of the names of Satan” (Vine). The devil falsely accused God to Eve in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:5), and he falsely accused Job to God (Job 1:9-11).
How many times have we jumped to conclusions without knowing all the facts? Someone said “digging for facts is better exercise than jumping to conclusions.” There is enough evil in the world without us imagining it where it does not exist! How would you like it if someone parked his wheelbarrow in front of your house and left it overnight?