Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash
When you ask a question and don’t get the answer you expect, how do you respond? When something happens in a way you don’t expect, what is your typical reaction?
We all have preconceived ideas about various things in life. But these preconceptions lead to disappointments when a situation doesn’t go as we expect, or when someone thinks differently than we do or in a way that doesn’t fit our expectations of them.
Our preconceptions are just that—pre-conceived. We already have in mind what something is or isn’t. This carries over to how we perceive other people. This is the basis of prejudice. Our preconceptions form the foundation for our biases. This is why we believe what we believe most often.
When there’s an obvious disconnect between what I believe and what actually is, I’ll joke about it and say, “Don’t confuse me with the facts!” But too often, this is no joke for many of us. We believe what we want to believe regardless of what may be true.
This is a dilemma we all face in life. Do we hold to our personally biased beliefs and opinions when confronted with reality and truth that’s different? Or, are we willing to examine or reconsider why we believe what we believe?
Scripture
His neighbors and those who had previously seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some of them said, “He’s the one.” Others said, “No, he isn’t, but he looks like him.” But the man himself said, “I am the one.”
So they asked him, “How did you receive your sight?” He replied, “The man people call Jesus mixed some spit with dirt, smeared it on my eyes, and told me, ‘Go to Siloam, and wash it off.’ So I went there, washed it off, and received my sight.”
They asked him, “Where is that man?” The man answered, “I don’t know.” [vss 8-11]
Some people brought the man who had been blind to the Pharisees. The day when Jesus mixed the spit and dirt and gave the man sight was a day of rest—a holy day.
So the Pharisees asked the man again how he received his sight. The man told the Pharisees, “He put a mixture of spit and dirt on my eyes. I washed it off, and now I can see.”
Some of the Pharisees said, “The man who did this is not from God because he doesn’t follow the traditions for the day of rest—a holy day.” Other Pharisees asked, “How can a man who is a sinner perform miracles like these?” So the Pharisees were divided in their opinions.
They asked the man who had been born blind another question: “What do you say about the man who gave you sight?” The man answered, “He’s a prophet.” [vss 13-17]
(John 9:8-17 GW)
Key phrase—
“What do you say about the man who gave you sight?”… “He’s a prophet.”
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions (also John 9:1-7)
What do other people say about the blind man healed by Jesus?
How does the man who is healed respond to those who question him?
What day does this healing take place?
How does the man describe how it happened and who did it?
What do the Pharisees say about this man’s healing and what seems to concern them most?
Reflection...
Have you heard the expression, “The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it?” This may sound biblical and spiritual but it’s the basis for dogmatic and ignorant beliefs. Dogmatism is not sound doctrine (2 Tim 2:15; Titus 2:1). Dogmatism is the result of preconceived beliefs.
The Pharisees studied the Scriptures religiously. They were zealous about their beliefs. But their preconceived ideas prevented them from realizing who Jesus was or accepting what He said and did.
The Pharisees rejected Jesus, in part, because of the miracles He did on the Sabbath Day. This was a major stumbling block for the Pharisees because of how they interpreted what was allowable on the Sabbath (Matt 12:1-8; Luke 13:10-17).
Even today, many Christian believers don’t accept the validity of God working in miraculous (supernatural) ways. Why? Because of their interpretations of the Bible based on preconceived beliefs and ideas.
When anyone is convinced against believing a certain way, they will deny what is true and real. This mindset carries over into all aspects of life including relationships.
When our preconceived beliefs and ideas go unchecked by what’s true, they will eventually harden us against anything other than what we believe. The question is—
Are you open to the truth of God even when it challenges your preconceived beliefs and ideas?
Taking it to heart...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
How did Jesus heal this man and on what day did it happen?
How do the people talk about the man and how do they treat him?
What do the Pharisees say about Jesus and why do they say this?
What do the Pharisees ask of the man who is healed?
How does the healed man answer the Pharisees’ question?
What practical and simple lesson have you learned from this story?
Personalize it...
Meditate On This— When our preconceived beliefs and ideas aren’t true, our hearts are hardened and our minds become closed. We need to ask ourselves if we’re open to the truth of God even when it challenges our preconceived beliefs and ideas.
Prayer Focus— When you find yourself struggling with biblical truth because of your preconceived beliefs and ideas, ask the Lord to help you trust His Spirit to reveal things clearly and confirm the truth in your heart and mind.
©2021—Word-Strong