1497) I tend to give people the benefit of a doubt. In other words, I assume others have the same values as me and I rationalize their actions when they do things outside the realm of these standards. Maybe I’m right but, maybe I’m wrong.

It isn’t always prudent to give people the benefit of a doubt. We live in a world where many believe there is no absolute truth. What’s true for them is true for them and what’s true for me is true for me instead of saying, Yes, there is absolute truth. It doesn’t matter if people’s values or “truth” are polar opposites, as long as you dedicate yourself to that value, then it’s ok. This kind of thinking has gotten us into a lot of choices that are far off the mark of what God teaches us in his word.

How have we gotten so far from the truth? 1 Peter 5:8 enlightens us. Peter says Satan is like a hungry lion, wanting to destroy and eat anyone he can. What is his strategy for hunting? We see it in Genesis 3. Here, Satan doesn’t tell Adam and Eve to just eat the fruit. Instead, he questions God’s authority in a roundabout way. He said, Did God really say not to eat of  the forbidden tree? This is how he was successful in his hunt.

If what Peter tells us is true, wouldn’t it be likely that Satan will try to manipulate us using people’s actions and reactions? Of course, so perhaps always giving the benefit of a doubt would not be wise.