Some time ago, there was a faithful dog which was a constant companion of a small child. One day both dog and child disappeared. A diligent search by parents, friends, and neighbors proved to be fruitless. The child could not be found.

After several hours the dog returned home, but was covered with blood. Naturally, the father jumped to the conclusion that the dog had become vicious and killed the child. The dog must be destroyed, so he got his gun and killed the dog.

A little later, the child was found in the woods unharmed. Nearby was the body of a panther that the dog had killed in his struggle to protect the child.

So often we are guilty of conclusion jumping. We take action, or at least express our opinion before considering all the facts. The result is usually unpleasant and at times irreparable damage is done.

Solomon showed the foolishness of jumping to conclusions when he said, "He that answereth (Heb. returneth a word) a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame to him" (Prov. 18:13). Not only do we have this problem with "Matters," but in dealing with people as well. On this Jesus said, "Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth" (Emphasis mine, J.T.)?

A man who will not hear all the facts before drawing conclusions has a Klinker in his thinker; it is almost impossible to squeeze the truth into his mind. The most difficult thing to open is a closed mind. Too, have you ever noticed how extremely difficult it is for a person to keep his mind open and his mouth shut at the same time? How wonderful an open mind is when it is matched with a closed mouth. But that's another subject. My point is this, don't waste a human mind by refusing to fulfil its hunger for education with facts, all the facts. When you give people a piece of your mind, then, and only then do they know the kind of mind you have.

So, be careful about what you think, say, and do. You might be guilty of shooting a dog that ought to be praised.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 2, p. 56
January 20, 1983