Why Listening First Matters: Avoid Jumping to Conclusions in Faith and Life

Don't Jump to Conclusions—Hear the Whole Story First

A doctor recently told a friend of mine to get a divorce. When my friend shared this with me, I was shocked. I’ve known the couple for quite some time and couldn’t imagine a medical professional making such a bold statement. But then he finished the story: the doctor had actually said he needed to get a divorce from Little Debbie snacks!

The doctor wasn’t giving marital advice—he was using humor to grab my friend’s attention and encourage a serious change in his eating habits for the sake of his health.

This moment reminded me how often we jump to conclusions without hearing the whole story. I immediately assumed he was talking about his wife, when the real issue was his diet. When we don’t take the time to listen fully, we often misinterpret, misunderstand, and even make poor decisions.

The same thing can happen when we talk to others about Jesus. Many people assume that following Christ means they have to instantly give up everything and completely change their lives overnight. But effective evangelism starts with listening—just like Philip did with the Ethiopian in Acts 8:30:
"Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked."

Philip didn’t start preaching right away. He listened first. He asked questions. He met the man where he was.

When we take time to hear someone’s story, we can better understand their perspective and build a bridge toward sharing the hope of Jesus Christ. Meeting people where they are is one of the first, and most important, steps in helping them see who Jesus really is.