Evil Surmisings

Coming to a wrong conclusion about someone is very harmful. I have no doubt many casual relationships, and even some marriages, have been ruined because of a mistaken conclusion. In so many cases, we think we know. We ask: “How could it be any other way?” We are quick to judge someone’s actions and hastily deem their actions of an evil intent. You have had it happen to you, and maybe you have done it with someone else. The apostle Paul used a word that, when translated, becomes “surmise.” The meaning of the word surmise is, “to conclude that something is the case on the basis of only limited evidence or intuitive feeling.” Paul speaks in harsh language to those who would come to an evil conclusion based on partial information. He calls it evil surmisings.

1 Timothy 6:1-4

1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (emphasis mine)

There was a group of people who were guilty of the very thing Paul warns against. They are found in Matthew 12:22-25:

22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

In this passage we can easily understand the awfulness of evil surmisings. These Pharisees concluded an action of Jesus stemmed from the work of Satan. They literally were calling the work of God the work of the devil. How horrible! Jesus went on to warn them not to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Paul, in 1 Timothy 6:1-4, describes these individuals perfectly. He voices that they are: proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words. Evil surmisings—along with envy, strife, and railings—come from these types of individuals. Now, you and I may have never been guilty of surmising evil of our Lord, but a danger exists in doing so with His people.

It has been said that some men are like ships, those in the deepest fog sound their horn the loudest. When one is proud and knowing nothing, he produces judgments that (the majority of the time) is hurtful.  You and I lack the ability to look into one’s mind and determine a motive behind their actions. We must be careful to obey the command of Jesus to not judge our brother. We must not conclude evil about our brother, but rather allow his works to declare what vine gives him life. “You know a tree by its fruit.” Our surmisings must come from the fruit that is produced. An evil tree cannot produce good fruit; therefore, jumping to conclusions before the fruit ripens may place one in the company of a ship in a fog—tooting his horn loudly, making a lot of noise, but wandering lost.

The way to avoid evil surmisings is really quite simple. First, we must realize our knowledge is very limited. The Pharisees were so sure of their knowledge of the law; they were quick to condemn Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. They were sure, but they were wrong. Secondly, they lacked compassion and love for their fellow man. The harshest words Jesus spoke were to the Pharisees. He called them whited sepulchers, a generation of vipers, and hypocrites. They were so absolute in their view of the Law, but were quick to forget the love that prompted the Law. God gave the law for the welfare of His people, but the Pharisees used this law for the quick condemnation of other people. These factors led them to evil conclusions about many people, including our Lord. The Apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 13:5—(charity) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.

Those who would come to evil conclusions lack love. This is easily illustrated in a mother’s love. No matter how unruly a child may be, a loving mother will find it difficult to deem her child anything less than good. Many times, this is carried over into adulthood to a fault. Love thinketh no evil. Being guilty of evil surmisings of our brother, then, is a result of believing we know more than we actually do and lacking love so we might give the one in question the benefit of doubt. May God help us to prefer our brother with honor.

Mark Parkhurst