Have you ever believed a lie about someone else and found your relationship with that person to be strained because of it?
Maybe it was a rumor, or something shared as a prayer concern that wasn’t all that accurate. Maybe it was something you saw the person actually do, but what you saw was out of context, not really the whole truth. Maybe it was the way you interpreted the words or action of the other person, and you let that filtered impression stand as truth. Or maybe you project your own feelings about yourself into someone else, giving you a false impression of them.
It is altogether to easy to form the wrong impression of a person. Trust me, though I don’t intend it, I have been there before. I’m guessing you have experienced this too. You don’t intend to judge someone else, and yet you see them through jaded glasses. Maybe you so fear someone will behave a certain way that you interpret anything they do as confirming that belief.
There is an old Lakota Indian proverb that counsels us “Never criticize anyone unless you have walked a mile in their moccasins.” Ephesians 6:15 says to be equipped “with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Putting on the right shoes helps us build understanding based in truth.
When we find ourselves thinking something to be true about another person, let’s presume goodness. That means that a curt reply or a hurtful word should not be too quickly taken to heart. Maybe the word was not actually meant to be hurtful, but rather it was our pride that interpreted it that way.
Let’s seek understanding as we follow God’s counsel to live in harmony and in an understanding way with one another. Be cautious in the face of a lie and quick to believe the truth, especially about others.
“I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” Colossians 2:4
