How a Spirit of Assumption and Accusation Can Cause Trouble in Your Life

Recently I was with my niece and she was on her tablet looking for a video. At one point I thought she was going through her sister’s messages and told her not to do look at her sister’s message. She told me “I am not. I am looking at my messages.” I quickly said sorry and asked her to forgive me. I assumed that she was doing the wrong thing without checking the facts. Then I accused her. Has that ever happened to you, where you saw or heard something and then assumed the worst and then accused that person?

Unfortunately, that happens more often than it should in our relationships. And oh how we would help ourselves by removing that spirit of assumption and accusation in our lives. Probably we would have better relationships and perhaps some relationships that have been tarnished would be active today.

In Joshua 22, you will learn that 2. 5 tribes of the twelve tribes of Israel were ready to claim their land and move forward. They received their blessing from Joshua and were on their way to their land, but on their way they decided to stop and build an altar. The Bible says “When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan" (v 10).

When we see the word imposing it means a big altar, which means one you can’t miss. The author does not tell us why they built an altar but that they built one. Word got to the other Israelites and when they heard this news “the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them ” (v10-12).

How did we go from goodbye you are blessed to these tribes building an altar and now the entire assembly of Israel is coming to war against them? How did the people of God go from 0 to 10 in one moment?

I will tell you how …. by a spirit of assumption. They assumed that the reason the altar was being built was to worship another god other than Yahweh. They assumed the worst and they didn’t check the facts. What about you? When you see or hear something do you quickly interpret the situation without checking the facts?

Like, I saw so and so at the mall so he/she is addicted to shopping?

I heard so and so is leaving their job, the company must be bad.

This person did not respond to my text, they don’t like me!

If we are not careful, we can assume the worst about someone or a situation and believe in a lie that is simply not true. When it comes to small matters in life it’s not big deal but when it pertains to bigger things like your marriage, kids, job, government … this is where things get ugly.

When you hear or see something that bothers you what should you do? Simple, just investigate and confront the parties involved. That is what the Israelites did. They went to speak to the 2.5 tribes. Who do you need to speak to so that you get clarity and understanding about a situation?

Now when you investigate and confront the person remember this as well, don’t do what the Israelites did they accused them of a long list of things. They accused them of sinning and straying from God. On and on they went about how what they did was wrong.

They were right to investigate and confront but they were wrong in their approach. In your walk with God, when you want to learn the truth about a situation, don’t accuse. Listen for facts and then make a decision.

At this point the 2.5 tribes speak up and explain the reason we made this altar was to ensure that the future generations understood that their land was theirs and not separate from the other tribes.

After hearing the motive and reason for building the altar Israel was pleased and reported it to the assembly who were happy too.

A situation that quickly escalated was quickly was diffused.

The same can happen for us by investigating and listening for the truth so that you and I can walk away from assumptions and accusations and experience peace in our relationships and life.

Is there someone you may need to apologize to for quickly assuming and accusing them of lies?

Is there someone you need to call to investigate something that is troubling you so that you learn the truth?

And now that you have learned the truth do you need to accept the truth of the matter and change your perspective?

Do you need to change your mind about your spouse? Your kids? Your boss?

Relationships and life can be hard but with the Holy Spirit, who works in our lives and who lives in us, he will always guide us in the right direction and the TRUTH.

Live your life based on the truth, not on your assumptions or accusations.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for assuming the worst about a situation and people. Help me overcome my tendency to accuse others when I should learn to listen and seek to learn the truth. Lord grant me peace in my life and in my relationships. You are a God of order and peace and I want my life to reflect your love and peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.