Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”  KJV

            In life, all aspects, too often we have a tendency to rush to judgment before hearing the conclusion of the whole matter.  We form opinions without concrete evidence which opens the door to manipulating information to fit our preconceived notion.  We may not do that maliciously but if we do the result is largely the same.  If we begin with a wrong premise we will arrive at a wrong destination. 

            In Proverbs 18:17 we read – “The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.”  NASU   How many times have you formed a ‘first impression’ only to find out that you based it on limited information and it proved to be wrong?  Oh I know that some have told me, “My first impressions are NEVER wrong.”  I do not argue with them but also do not believe that to be true all the time.  I know it is not for me I have changed my thinking after getting more facts or the facts.

            I had a preacher tell me one time, “I have been preaching 40 years and have not changed my message or my methods.”  At the time I had only been preaching for about 10 years and thought, “Boy, I sure have.”  I have found that as I gain more ‘light’ concerning biblical truths my theology changes.  I am not ‘double minded’ or like ‘shifting sand’ but as I find that something I have believed is lacking and there is more evidence I change my beliefs to fit scripture rather than using scripture to fit my beliefs. 

            Each of us has a point of view but we are one and if we could somehow add your ‘light’, ‘knowledge’, or ‘information’ regarding biblical truths to mine I would be much wiser and enlightened.  I see in part and you see in part and we may not see the same part so if we become ‘members together’ of one another in the Body we become stronger in our faith, fellowship, and function.

             When we rush to judgment we harm ourselves and others around us no matter what that rushing to judgment involved.  You may believe that what you do does not affect anyone else but it does.  You are not an island and there are eyes following you as you go through life.  You, as a Christian, are a representative who is to manifest the Lord Jesus Christ so what you think, say, and do is important.  If you are one that ‘rushes to judgment’ then you will impact others, frequently in a negative way.  We should evaluate and as Paul described in Acts 17:11 that the Berean’s were more noble than those in Thessalonica because the received the word with eager hearts then ‘searched’ the Scriptures ‘daily’ to see if what they heard was truth.  Just because I say it or any other person says it does not make it valid or the whole of truth. 

            So in your pursuit of the Prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus do so with a calm diligence that enables and allows you to examine all the evidence before making your judgment on any matter.  If you are faced with a ‘right now’ situation pray that the Holy Spirit will give you what to say and guide you into what to think in that emergency.  But, in the long haul God expects us to be diligent in our pursuit of His Word and Truth.

            God bless you as you go through your day!