 |
|
The presence of misunderstanding in the lives of men is a strong evidence that man’s intelligence is unreliable. In fact, misunderstanding is the so called “thinker problem” and its presence is being manifested in all areas of life.
Apparently, a person who has a high intelligent quotient and thus enjoying high regard from other people is not exempted from misunderstanding-related problems; neither a man with emotional intelligence is free from this inevitable image cutter.
As long as we live, the stinging effects of misunderstanding are unavoidable. Even the Lord Jesus Christ was greatly misunderstood by His hearers and observers during His earthly ministry. He is the Truth and no fault was found in Him, and yet He was misunderstood many times. How much more to inferior beings like us? Truly, a misunderstood man is compared to a shattered image projected by a wrong perspective.
Living and dealing with people who have different levels of intelligence, education, interest, spirituality and behavior can really put a simple person to an unavoidable stage of misinterpretation.
Misunderstanding separates friends and associates in a tragic way. It paints an undesirable image for the victim and unfairly instills hatred to the minds of others. Consequently, it shatters one’s true image.
The Bible offers us essential points to consider so we may gain spiritual wisdom which will surely pave our way to a distinctive spiritual maturity.
II Kings Chapter 5 is an excellent chapter that can greatly help us to see a wider scope of understanding regarding the problem of misunderstanding. We count it a blessing to know why people are being misunderstood and how other people are being gravitated by the dangerous power of misunderstanding.
Without God-given spiritual intelligence, man’s high IQ and emotional intelligence would not be enough to help him realize the depth, the danger and the ultimate solution to misunderstanding.
The common causes of misunderstanding:
I. Wrong Move And Contact.
- Know your contact person.
- Be precise in every link.
Living in a modernized civilization demands right connection and failing to do so imperil one’s image, capability and survival. Misinterpretation creeps in every time a man loses his capability to connect himself to the right people. Undoubtedly, he becomes a misunderstood loser.
On Christian standpoint, every believer must see to it that he puts his trust in the right person which is the Lord Jesus Christ. Unbelief on his part obscures his identity and he will surely become an object of misunderstanding.
In the case of Naaman, he went to the King of Israel instead of going to Elisha and they were misunderstood. The unpleasant result could have been avoided if they strictly searched their way to Elisha which was the right person for them to ask for healing. Hostility mounted up because of misunderstanding. Obviously, multiplied hatred and division are sad consequences of misunderstanding.
II. Obscure Message.
- Sending right message to the wrong person creates misunderstanding.
- Receiving obscure message is alarming to the receiver.
On the human side, misunderstanding is an aptitude problem on the part of a certain person, and misleading message on the part of the other person. Any man could send a wrong impression to others through his inappropriate words, actions and the way he deals with a particular individual. On the other hand, any man could also misunderstand another person because of his standpoint based on his own knowledge and understanding on a certain thing.
III. Personal Viewpoint.
- Limited viewpoint is unreliable.
- Personal preference must be appropriated.
We must realize that every individual has his own viewpoint. It has been said that some have musician’s ears, some have artist’s eyes and some have gourmet’s taste. Considering these helpful things shapes us to become men of understanding.
Naaman’s viewpoint revealed that he was a typical army general; on the other hand, Elisha’s standpoint showed that he was a typical man of God who served the Lord according to His blessed will.
Familiarization on different view points helps us to have better dealing and understanding of people. Bird’s eye view, man’s eye level view, worm’s eye view are worthy to be considered. For a higher level of perception, we must also learn how to see through the eyes of the spiritual, intellectual, uneducated, emotional and carnal men. Doing so requires humility and right heart with God.
IV Questionable Attitude. (2 Kings 5:12-14)
- Questionable attitude reveals questionable aptitude.
- Negative attitude keeps a man from positive fortitude.
Naaman’s negative attitude toward Elisha’s words almost kept him from being cleansed. Questionable attitude intensifies existing misunderstanding and triggers man’s anger. Take note of verses 11 and 12. Thank God for people who recognize the trustworthiness of God’s servant.
V. Questionable Associates.
- Image destroyer.
- Self-destroyer.
Was not Gehazi a close associate of Elisha? Was he not also the man who lied and put Elisha to some degree of misunderstanding? How many good men are being misunderstood and destroyed because of questionable associates? Good associates are a blessing, but questionable friends are potential destroyer of our real image.
Gehazi’s tragic life conveys a relevant message for us to consider so we may not become an innocent victim of misunderstanding. On the other hand, it warns us not to destroy believers’ godly image, but become an image builder in the midst of a perverse generation.
Through the guiding power of the Word of God, may we realize the beneficial results of weighing things on the weighing scale of Truth so we may not be damaged severely by the devastating effects of misunderstanding. The Word of God, as a part of our thought life, speech and action, will surely elevate us to a new height of spiritual wisdom.
Sometimes, we are misunderstood, or we misunderstand others and experience humiliation, but if we do what is right in the sight of God, sufficient grace of God is given to us so we can handle our problems carefully. As a good result, we can effectively communicate to others as we share the Gospel of Christ.
 | BaptistInfo.com | - The End |
|
Copyright © 2007 |
|