Have you ever been a victim of someone’s first impression? Labeled before you even speak a word? Tried and convicted without a shred of evidence? I have, and it’s hurtful. And to dig out from under the pile of undeserved judgment is difficult.
We filter things according to how we were raised and how we perceive the world around us. And when we apply these filters to a situation, we add to or subtract from reality, ending up with a distorted view. And the pure, undistilled, absolute truth lies somewhere just out of reach.
As much as we all hate being lied to, we have the ability within ourselves to color the truth. I expect this may come across as an incomplete thought, but I have it straight in my head. What I am trying to say is think it through before you speak it with your mouth. Gather the facts and discard the rest. If it isn’t factual, if it can’t be substantiated, it doesn’t need to be said. It adds nothing to your argument, only fuel for the fire.
And so it goes, when we make snap judgments and sweeping assumptions, we don’t do anyone any favors, including ourselves. Here are two men in the bible who have been labeled:
Naaman the Leper
Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.
— 2 Kings 5:1
Note all of the positive things said of him. A great man ... highly regarded … mighty man of valor. Yet, it’s the last bit that seemingly defines him. The fact that he is miraculously cured of leprosy doesn’t remove the stigma. He is, for all eternity, known as Naaman the leper.
Doubting Thomas
Although several stories of doubt exist in the Bible, it is Thomas’ incident that seems to catch the most attention, earning him the nickname “Doubting Thomas.”
John’s first account of Thomas actually displays a man of tremendous faith. Jesus had barely escaped a fierce stoning in Jerusalem when, just a few days later, he received word that his friend Lazarus was very ill. Lazarus lived in Bethany, a very short distance from Jerusalem, and Jesus felt strongly compelled to go there.
However, the apostles were aghast and tried to discourage Jesus from returning to an area where he had so recently almost been killed. Ironically, it was Thomas who was the believing one. He bravely encouraged all to go to Bethany with Jesus, even if it meant death for them:
Let us also go to die with him.
— John 11:16
This man, labeled as having little faith clearly had something, as he was willing to die to follow Jesus.
There are three mentions of Thomas in the bible, but only one that would define him.
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