Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

February 14: Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 21:29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple)
30 The whole city was aroused and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple…
31 While they were trying to kill him…

Observation: In the verses above, much trouble was caused by assumption. I believe it was Ed Cole who said, “Assumption is the lowest level of knowledge.” It is a belief that if one thing is true, then the second thing must also true. It is taking a leap that seems logical but has no logical support. If someone stops talking when I enter a room, I assume that they must have been talking about me. And if they stopped talking about me, I assume they must have been talking bad about me.

Application: Several things that help me deal with assumptions. First, I know that my Heavenly Father perfectly knows what people were saying. If I need to know, He is able to make sure I know. Second, I choose to assume something good. If they were talking about me, they were probably trying to decide what to get me for my birthday—which actually happened to me some years back. While I was fighting off thoughts about how people were talking behind my back, they were actually signing a birthday card to give me later. Ha!

Prayer: Lord, with you I walk by faith and not by assumption. I know you and am persuaded that you are able to guide me when I do not have complete understanding. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!