5 Common But Wrong Assumptions Christians Make

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Merriam-Webster defines an assumption as “a fact or statement taken for granted.” We all make assumptions about things. Occasionally, our most deeply held beliefs might be better described as assumptions. Some assumptions turn out to be true, but sometimes our assumptions turn out to be false. As Christians, we make a lot of assumptions about who God is and what He is like. Some believe God is angry and aggressive, interested only in punishing people. Others believe God is loving, interested in unconditionally loving all people. Then, there are those who believe God is a genie who will do what you want if you believe in Him enough. We often wonder how God views us and what He wants us to do. In order to understand the mind of God, you must first understand His heart. When we trust in God’s love for us and know that He wants what’s best for us, everything that was previously confusing becomes clear. Here are five common but wrong assumptions Christians make about God.

"If I make a decision which honors God, He will honor me with success."

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There is a common assumption regarding God’s will. It’s the belief that success is the ultimate sign of choosing correctly. It’s the belief that if you make a decision which honors God, He will honor you with success. This is a very dangerous assumption. For example, many Christians believe that if they choose the right spouse, the marriage is guaranteed to make it, or if they choose the right job, you will make money and experience tremendous success, or if they obey God by making the right faith decisions, then everything will turn out for the best. While we have a responsibility to do everything we can to make wise choices and obey God’s commands, our obedience will not guarantee immediate success. However, we are guaranteed that a day will come in which we will never regret it.

"I need to work harder to make God happy."

Another common assumption is if we work hard to make God happy, things will turn out for good. Many Christians are convinced that God is watching over them, paying attention to every little thing they’re doing and if He’s not pleased, things will go wrong in your life. The truth is, God is not out to get you. He loves you. He came for you and wants to build a friendship with you, walking and talking in the ordinary moments of your everyday life. While we please God by obeying His commands, precepts and ordinances, we shouldn’t carry the mindset that God will work against us if He is not happy with us. Live out a godly life and happiness will follow.

"God is waiting for me to mess up."

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Do you feel like you’ve made a huge mess of your life? Are you thinking God surely must be tired of all your blunders – the mistakes and the sins you’ve committed. How could God not really be angry at you because of them? Right? No, wrong. The truth is God knew from the start that you would not measure up to His standards. So, on the basis of His goodness alone, He has made a way for you to come to Him, just like you are. God isn’t sitting in heaven waiting for the right opportunity to punish you. Instead, He’s waiting for you to come to Him in faith, so that He can pour His love and restoration into your life. Do you accept His invitation?

"God will never be happy with me."

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So many Christians assume that they have to get their act together and even when they do, God will never be happy with them. But Jesus shows us that in order to be His follower, you don’t have to get your act together, or to be in charge of purifying your own life. You don’t have to start doing all the right things to qualify for a place as one of His disciples. And you don’t have to become a good person. The truth is, you can’t be a perfect person. You can’t follow the Scriptures perfectly. It’s impossible to do everything perfect on your own. None of us can. That’s why we need Jesus. He knows that none of us can get our act together no matter how hard we try. So He did it for us, and then He shared His life with us. He laid down His life so we wouldn’t need to pay the punishment for our sins.