The power of assumption:

A couple of years ago some friends of my wife and I offered us their trailer for a week. My wife and I pack our motorcycle, and pulled into a largely retired community of fellow campers. My bike is rather loud, and being dressed in leather, we drew a fair amount of attention as we pulled in that afternoon. We noticed a number of curtains drawing back as the quick view from neighboring trailers as we unloaded the bike. My good friend is an OPP officer. We had arranged that he would come and pick me up and I’d do a ride along with him for his night shift – on our last night at the camp ground. My friend, being one of my friends, decided that he’d come in with his lights flashing, as he pulled into the laneway, gave a quick yip of the siren. He got out of the cruiser, come to the door, knocked, I came out, walked to the cruiser, he opened the door, and I got in, and away we went on a shift. I didn’t return till early that morning, which then my wife and I load the bike and I coasted down the hill some distance way before starting the bike as to not disturb the fellow campers as much as possible.

We had a wonderful time at the camp, and where refreshed and encouraged. However, that is not the end. A few days later, I received a call from our friends that had loaned us their trailer. He asked “Um – what happened? – you guys okay?” “Yes, I replied, great why?”, “well, the story around the camp ground is that you beat up your woman and the cops were called and you were taken away in a cruiser”.

The power of assumption. So much confusion and damage is done by the assumption of motives and intentions to others. People can be hurt and damaged and reputations ruined because of unguarded and unchallenged assumption.

So many Proverbs speak to the power of both wise and fool words

The words of the godly lead to life; evil people cover up their harmful intentions

Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites trouble

Don’t talk to much, for it fosters sin, be sensible and turn off the flow

Wise people think before they speak, fools don’t and even brag out it

The talk of a fool is a rod on his back, but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble

Gentle words bring life and health, a deceitful tongue brings trouble

The godly think before speaking, the wicked spout evil words.

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even tempered. Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. (17:28)

We need to take great responsibility for our words, and the assumptions that we make. I cannot control your words and assumptions, but I can mine, and need to. I can encourage others to think wisely and carefully - but I need to make that a daily practice for myself.

Too often our assumptions are just that – we’ve played the role of judge and jury and declared the verdict – convinced that our conclusion is right. But essentially what we do is we close off our minds, and whatever we hear we pre-judge.

Assumption plays a much more powerful role in our life than we think. We constantly engage in it. In fact, it takes a conscious decision and effort to break out it.

We look at people and make assumptions – by how they look, what they’re wearing, how they sound, what position they hold, what their education is, what there experience might be – whether they’re male or female – young, or old, charismatic or Baptist or…a whole host of other issues.

I found myself doing it last Sunday. I was booked to speak at a church – I had no prior information out the situation. I pulled up in front of this little country church and took one look at the people in their suits, white shirt, ties, dress and haircuts and made an assumption. I thought, O boy, I driven all this way for this little, old thinking bunch. I couldn’t have been more wrong. They were open, friendly and eager to know how they could minister better to those whom we serve. They were appreciative and receptive – and giving. I drove way thinking – Cudney, you bucket headed nincompoop your jumping to assumptions. It isn’t the just the few big churches that are going to make a difference for the people we serve, it’s the hundreds and hundreds of little faithful congregations that are just trying to do their best in serving Christ.

We do it on staff teams. We make up our minds about those we work with, those who lead us, the ministry we work for – the people we serve. We do the judge and jury thing and nothing nobody says is going to change our mind.

It can’t happen from the outside, it’s gotta happen within – We’ve got to decide that we will not be controlled by assumption. It’s not easy, for the easiest path is just to let our thoughts have their way. St. Paul urges us “take every thought captive”. There’s an energy-consuming proposition. Often my thoughts are like wild horses that are willful and undisciplined. They lead and rule me, rather than me them. You, know however, that when we do that it leads us to disaster every time.

I’ve tried to be much more careful in my later years with the assumptions I make. I’ve even taken a bolder stand in challenging some of these assumptions of my own motives, purposes and intents. Also, I’m also trying to do better with those that ‘share’ their assumptions with me. One of the quickest ways I’ve discovered to manage this, is informing the person that is doing the informing and assuming that, “you know, I think _______ needs to know this so they can correct it, or be aware of it – lets go talk to________”. People need to own the comments and assumptions they make, and as long as we continue to not hold ourselves, or other accountable potentially destructive assumptions will continue. Anyway, that’s what I think.