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Acts 21:27-31 – Assumptions
Are any of us mind-readers? “Of course not! What a ridiculous question!” And of course I am assuming you think that is a ridiculous question!
And yet….have you ever noticed how sometimes we act like we can read minds?
Let’s say we call someone on the phone, but no one answers. After four rings, an answering machine asks us to leave a message. Common occurrence. If afterwards someone else inquires if we got hold of the other person, how would we respond?
If we say, “Nope, they were not home,” think…is that a fact or an assumption? It is an assumption, one which is very likely, and plus it is an assumption that is innocent of impugning evil motives. Admittedly, though, it is an assumption that many of us make unwittingly. Have you ever made that assumption? I will assume the answer is yes!
But if we say, “Nope, they didn’t pick up,” is that a fact or an assumption? Well, obviously it is a fact, but it implies an assumption – they were there. While our description is factually accurate, it can still be misleading. Did we know that even truth itself can be used to imply falsehood? The words say, “Nope, they didn’t pick up.” The words imply, “They didn’t want to talk to me!” But of course, I would never venture to assume you ever thought that about anybody!!
What if we say, “Nope, they screen their calls!”? That can be both a fact and an assumption. A friend of mine uses his answering machine to screen all his calls. He doesn’t like telemarketers. Caller I.D. would be easier, but the answering machine is effective. However, if we are having a personal problem with someone, and they start screening their calls, we might maliciously assume they are home and didn’t want to answer the phone! “They know it’s me and that’s why they won’t answer the phone!” Saying to a third party, “Nope, they screen their calls” can be an assumption that implies a deeper message, one that is not necessarily flattering. Telling others, “Nope, they screen their calls” might lead to the hearer inferring things whether implied or not. Have you ever screened your calls?
O.K. then, what is the only factually true, no intention implied answer, which assumes nothing? “Nope, I left a message on their answering machine.”
O.K. then, what is the point of this article?
I am going to assume that many of us do not realize how often we assume things that are not true, or only might be true. If we are true disciples, loving others like Jesus loves us (John 13:34), then any and every assumption will be innocent. If assuming, we will always “assume the best.” But assuming can still be dangerous, even when innocent. It can become a bad habit, whether consciously or not. I would assume it is safer to not assume.
However, anytime we make an unkind assumption, or use a fact to imply something malicious, then we are saying more than we should say and more than we know. And I am not here only referring to articulating more than what the facts allow or substantiate. When I say we are saying more than we know, I mean we are also telling something about ourselves – and we probably don’t even recognize it. We are declaring that we are hurt, or angry, possibly disappointed, frustrated, or several other negative feelings. We might even be assigning reactions to them that we would do ourselves. What we say about others is often a mirror into our own mind and soul. While others cannot read our mind, we unwittingly give them a clue!
Here is an extreme – but factual – example of the danger of assuming evil:
Acts 21:27-31 – [27] When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, [28] crying out, “Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” [29] For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. [30] Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. [31] While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
The Jews supposed (v.29) Paul had brought a Gentile into the temple. They wrongly assumed this based upon another fact (v.29) which led their evil minds to suppose something beyond the facts. They misused a truth. This assumption said more about them than it did about Paul!
Assuming – when it is patently false – is dangerous and sinful. Assuming is…claiming to read someone’s mind; and yet didn’t we all admit at the beginning that reading minds is “ridiculous?”
Here are some questions about assuming:
- Do we ever assume that which is evil? I shall not assume to answer for any of you.
- How often do we assume that which is only possibly true, and yet innocent? Probably often. No harm done, but still it is an assumption, and it is a bad habit – a habit that might lead to assuming the worse.
- How often do we assume that which might be true, and yet assign evil intentions?
Don’t assume…we are not mind readers. Only God is.
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? (1 Corinthians 2:11)
And don’t assume I tried to call you this week but got the answering machine!
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