KEY SCRIPTURE: John 4:27 KJV And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

It is very normal for humans to create mental pictures out of situations, and even make their own conclusions in the minds. This is how people create imaginations about various events, some right and some wrong. The bible narrated that when the disciples returned to see Jesus talking to the woman, they wondered or marvelled, seeing Him talking with a woman, yet they said nothing to Him or asked Him no question. The disciples, I believe, knowing the kind of person Jesus was, would not imagine any wrong thing or act about the master. My concern is since their thoughts began to wonder it would have been good to clear their minds from any wild imagination by asking the master about who   she war. Once again I would say these disciples chose not to make any enquiries because they were certain in their hearts about the integrity of the master.

I have taken this study on this tangent because a lot of relationships suffer because of wrong imaginations. Many people quickly jump into conclusions about the actions and inactions of others. Mr.  A decided not to call his colleague because the friend have not been responding to his calls. This comes from wrong imaginations. There are varying causes for this. His phone may be faulty and can’t call back. Another Mr. B decided to end his friendship because he visited the friend, who could not come out to see him. Sadly, he would not receive any calls from his friend. He is hurt not even knowing why the friend could not come out to see him.

It is always dangerous to wrongly imagine or judge someone wrongly. In the bible we find certain instances of wrong imaginations leading to wrong accusations. Priest Eli mistook Hannah’s passionate prayers for drinking alcohol.1Sa 1:14 KJV “And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.”

In 1 Samuel 17:28 Eliab the eldest brother of David misjudged his enquiries for pride. David was genuinely inspired to make those enquiries.

What you must do:

1. Always get to the second person for his or her explanation before concluding

2. Love believes all things, so accept the explanation they give.

3. You cannot stop your mind from making some conclusions, but you can stop yourself from acting on it, like Jesus disciples did.

THOUGHT:  MAINTAIN A POSITIVE EXPLANATION FOR PEOPLE’S ACTIONS TO PRESERVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Corinth 13:7. EasyEnglish If I really love people, I will never stop loving them. It will not matter what happens. Whatever things may happen, I will still continue to love. If I love, then, during all things, I will still continue to believe. If I love, then, during all things, I will still continue to hope for good things. If I love then, during all things, I will still continue to be patient and strong.

Luke 6:37 EasyEnglish Do not say to someone, “You are a bad person.” If you do not, God will not say to you, “You are bad person.” Do not say to people, “God should punish you because you are bad.” If you do not, they will not say that to you. Forgive other people and God will forgive you.