The benefit of the doubt is the act of choosing to believe someone is telling the truth, even when there is evidence to the contrary. It's often used when there isn't enough evidence to determine someone's guilt or innocence.
Consider the source speaks to caution regarding the accuracy of information.
'Benefit of the doubt' and 'consider the source' are two opposing bits of wisdom.
'Benefit of the doubt' tends to unqualified trust.
'Consider the source' tends to requiring an understanding of the one who is speaking.
The power of speech is far greater than most people are aware.
What was Eve's mistake in the garden?
She gave 'benefit of the doubt' to the serpent and listened to what he had to say.
Since this was the first encounter of a human with the enemy, there was no track record to be referred which she could use to 'consider the source'.
But here we are today with millenia of human history for reference. But more importantly we have the Words and life of Christ Jesus for reference.
Here is wisdom:
Do not give people the benefit of the doubt. Get to know something about them before trusting them. Always consider what they say relative to the Word Of The Lord.
How do we put this in practice?
First of all, if a person has rejected the Truth of Christ Jesus, they have lied to themselves and so are fully capable of lying to you or anyone else.
So, know whether or not a person is a believer.
➛ if not a believer, they have nothing you need
➛ if they are a believer, consider what they say wrt the Word Of The Lord
Because there are so many media outlets today with people of various backgrounds providing content, giving the 'benefit of the doubt' to them is extremely dangerous.
Don't do it. Or at least minimize your exposure. And if you hear something from them that feels like a lie, turn them off and don't give them any benefit of the doubt.
If you do not have the self-discipline to do this, there is a very high probability that you will eventually be deceived.
Even people that you know something about can be used by Satan to speak things into your life that are destructive.
But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get you behind me, Satan: for you savour not the things that be of the Lord, but the things that be of men. Jesus looked at the disciples to make sure they were listening. Then he rebuked Peter acknowleding that Satan was speaking through him. This happened because Peter did not grasp and so was not in agreement with the things of the Holy Spirit. Rather, he was considering only the flesh. |
So, knowing the Word Of The Lord which reveals the Will Of The Lord is critical for being able to recognize the original source of what has been spoken.
When you detect that Satan is speaking to you indirectly through Children Of Satan you should do what our Lord Jesus Christ did. He cut Satan off with the Word Of The Lord.
Every idea is either inspired by the Spirit Of The Lord or by the Spirit Of Satan. There are no neutral ideas.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: |