Do You Have the Facts? - INCOMPLETE INFORMATION

Reports that contain half-truths or incomplete information are another challenge to reaching accurate conclusions.  A story that is only 10 percent true is 100 percent misleading.  How can we avoid being misled by deceptive stories that may contain some elements of truth? -Ephesians 4:14.

Consider what happened to the Israelites dwelling on the western side of the Jordan River in the days of Joshua.  (Joshua 22:9-34)  They received a report that the Israelites living on the eastern side of the Jordan (the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh) had constructed a large, impressive altar near the Jordan. That portion of the report  was true. Based on this incomplete incomplete information, those on the western side concluded that their brothers  had rebelled against Jehovah, so the Israelites living on the western side assembled to wage war against those living on the eastern side.  (Read Joshua 22:9-12)  Thankfully, before attacking, they sent a delegation of trustworthy men to get all the facts.  What did  the men learn?  The Israelites  from the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh had built the altar, not for sacrifices, but as a memorial. It was build so that in the future all would know that they were faithful servants of Jehovah.  How thankful those Israelites must have been that they did not massacre their brothers based on incomplete information but took the time to get the facts! 

As individuals, we may also become victims of injustice because half-truths or incomplete information is circulated about us.  Consider the example of King David and Mephibosheth.  David showed generosity and kindness to Mephibosheth, returning him   all the land of his grandfather Saul.  (2  Samuel 9:6, 7)  Later, however, David received a negative report about Mephbosheth. Without verifying the information, David decided to strip Mephibosheth of all his property.  (2 Samuel 16:1-4)  When David finally spoke with him, David recognized his error and restored to Mephibosheth a share of the property. (2 Samuel 19:24-29) But this injustice could  have been avoided had David takent he time to get the facts instead of rashly acting on incomplete information. 

What, though, if you are a victim of slanderous accusation?  Jesus and John the Baptizer experienced such a challenge.  (Read Matthew 11:18, 19.) How did Jesus deal with false information?  He did not spend all his time and energy defending himself. Instead he encouraged people to look at the facts-what he did and what he taught.  As  result Jesus said, "Wisdom is vindicated by his works." -Matthew 11:19. 

There is a valuable lesson here that we do well to learn.  At times,  people may say unfair or critical things about us.  We may long for justice and wish that we could do something to undo the damage to our reputation.  Yet, there is something we can do.  If someone spreads a lie about us, we can live in a way that no one will believer that lie.  Indeed, as Jesus' example shows, our personal record of upright Christian conduct can wipe out half-truths and false accusations. 

Next time: Do You Have the Facts? - HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF?

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