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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Avoiding Assumptions</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/a/avoiding_assumptions.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/proverbs/3-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/a/avoiding.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Avoiding Assumptions</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_arrogance.htm" title="Avoiding Arrogance">◄</a> Avoiding Assumptions <a href="/topical/a/avoiding_attachment_to_sinful_environments.htm" title="Avoiding Attachment to Sinful Environments">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Avoiding assumptions is a principle that finds its roots in the wisdom literature and teachings of the Bible. Assumptions can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and erroneous judgments, which are cautioned against in Scripture. The Bible encourages believers to seek understanding, exercise discernment, and rely on God's wisdom rather than their own presumptions.<br><br><b>Biblical Wisdom and Understanding</b><br><br>The book of Proverbs frequently addresses the importance of wisdom and understanding, contrasting them with folly and presumption. <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a> advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage underscores the importance of relying on God's guidance rather than making assumptions based on limited human understanding.<br><br><b>Judging Others</b><br><br>Jesus' teachings in the New Testament further emphasize the dangers of making assumptions about others. In <a href="/matthew/7.htm">Matthew 7:1-2</a> , Jesus warns, "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." This admonition highlights the risk of assuming the motives or character of others without full knowledge, urging believers to exercise caution and humility.<br><br><b>Discernment and Testing</b><br><br>The Apostle Paul, in his letters, encourages believers to practice discernment and to test everything. In <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-21.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:21-22</a> , he writes, "but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." This directive implies a careful and thoughtful approach to understanding situations and people, avoiding hasty conclusions based on assumptions.<br><br><b>The Example of Jesus</b><br><br>Jesus Himself exemplified the avoidance of assumptions in His interactions with others. In <a href="/john/8-3.htm">John 8:3-11</a>, when the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, He did not assume her guilt or innocence but instead challenged those without sin to cast the first stone. His response demonstrated a deeper understanding and compassion, avoiding the assumptions that the accusers had made.<br><br><b>The Role of Prayer and Seeking God's Wisdom</b><br><br><a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> encourages believers to seek divine wisdom: "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Prayer and seeking God's wisdom are vital in avoiding assumptions, as they align the believer's perspective with God's truth and understanding.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>The Bible consistently teaches the importance of avoiding assumptions through reliance on God's wisdom, practicing discernment, and exercising humility in judgment. By following these biblical principles, believers can foster understanding, peace, and righteousness in their relationships and communities.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/a/avoiding.htm">Avoiding</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_sin.htm">Avoiding Sin</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/one's.htm">One's (59 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/forgiveness.htm">Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/avoiding.htm">Avoiding (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/avouch.htm">Avouch</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/scorn.htm">Scorn (65 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/complete.htm">Complete (246 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/transfiguration.htm">Transfiguration</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wrong.htm">Wrong (391 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/reconciliation.htm">Reconciliation (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/reconcile.htm">Reconcile (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fellow.htm">Fellow (166 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/resurrection.htm">Resurrection (42 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/obedience.htm">Obedience (61 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/messenger.htm">Messenger (235 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/malchiel.htm">Malchiel (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/language.htm">Language (112 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tabeel.htm">Tabeel (2 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_arrogance.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Avoiding Arrogance"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Avoiding Arrogance" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_attachment_to_sinful_environments.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Avoiding Attachment to Sinful Environments"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Avoiding Attachment to Sinful Environments" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>