What can cause misunderstandings? - Misunderstandings - TouchPoints

Joshua 22:11-12The rest of Israel heard that the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had built an altar at Geliloth at the edge of the land of Canaan, on the west side of the Jordan River. So the whole community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against them.

Misunderstandings are often caused by the people involved not having all of the facts.

Acts 8:30-31, 34-35Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. . . . The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

A lack of instruction can lead to misunderstanding.

Psalm 56:5They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me.

2 Peter 3:16Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

Misunderstandings can come from distorted or confusing messages.

Job 6:29“Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong.”

Acts 7:25Moses assumed his fellow Israelites would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn’t.

Wrong assumptions can lead to misunderstandings.

Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

Proverbs 30:33As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels.

Matthew 13:14-15“This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’”

Luke 2:9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

Ephesians 6:4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Anger, fear, stubbornness, and other emotions can cause misunderstandings.

Proverbs 17:19Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

Proverbs 20:3Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

Ecclesiastes 10:13Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness;

Foolish individuals often cause misunderstandings, some even do so intentionally.