We often have a bad habit of making assumptions or jumping to conclusions. We see something or hear something and without taking the time to check, we fill in any blanks in our knowledge with assumptions and jump to unwarranted conclusions. And generally we will put the worst possible spin on things. Christians really need to make sure of the facts. There is a really good example of how things should go in the book of Joshua. In chapter 22, after the conquest of Canaan, the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh go to the land of their possession on the east side of the Jordan. The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh immediately build “a great, impressive altar” on their side of the river. The Israelites on the west side of the river assume that the altar is to be used to worship in rebellion against God, and they immediately prepare to go to war against them. Luckily, they decide to make sure of the facts first. “Then the children of Israel sent Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest to the children of Reuben, to the children of Gad, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, and with him ten rulers, one ruler each from the chief house of every tribe of Israel…” (vs 13-14). They discovered that the altar had not been built for worship but rather as “...a witness between you and us…that your descendants may not say to our descendants in time to come, ‘You have no part in the Lord.’” (vs 27). Their decision to check before taking action stopped a war from taking place. In Deuteronomy chapter 13 God gave instructions on what to do if one heard rumors about wrong-doing. “Then you shall inquire, search out, and ask diligently.” (vs 14). We would do well if we did the same. Proverbs 14:15 says, “The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.” And Proverbs 18:13, “He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.” In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” John 7:24, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” I think that if people really believed that the standard of judgment they used against others would be used against them in the judgment, they would not be so quick to “assume” or “jump to conclusions”. “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.” (James 2:13).