One of the most consistent frailties of our human nature is a tendency to make evaluations without knowing all the facts. We seldom wait to hear both sides of a story before we jump to conclusions about a person's behavior. We form opinions on a variety of topics with little or no substantial information. In fact, it seems that we are most opinionated on those issues about which we are most ignorant.

Is it possible that we sometimes speak strongly in an effort to hide our lack of knowledge? Do we sometimes get overly spiritual in an effort to camouflage our iniquities? Our intolerance of others is most likely brought on by a super-demanding ego. We can never afford to be wrong, so we hide behind what we think are convictions. They may be nothing more than a defense mechanism to protect our know-it-all image.

How sad when people can see through the shallow veneer of our supposed intelligence. How tragic when we lash out at others for being wrong when we do not really know ourselves. Insecurity of thought is a terrible ailment of the sinful human mind. Somehow our mental pride will not permit us to bow our heads humbly and say, "Lord, I do not know, please help me understand." If only we could learn how to be wrong and to realize it is not humanly possible to be right on every issue. If only we could learn to repent of our ignorance and ask God for His wisdom.

It is in knowing the truth that we are free from our blundering misjudgments. Is this why Jesus was so insistent that we not become judges? He knows that our perspective is often limited and hindered by our own prejudices. He knows that we are quick to jump to conclusions which have no basis.

It takes a lot of love as well as knowledge to make proper evaluations. Only as our opinions are immersed in grace can there be Godly convictions. There is sometimes a lot of wisdom in knowing that we do not know and in having enough humility to admit it. In so doing, we seek the compassionate perspective of God. He alone can guide us from curious fiction to constructive facts.