The Misunderstanding Test

Name of Assembly: United Apostolic Church  
Type of service: Bible Study
Date: October 5, 2021
Series Topic: Test Everyone Christian Will Face 
Lesson 7: The Misunderstanding Test   
Scripture Text: Acts 15:36-40

36 “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God” – Acts 15:36-40.

INTRODUCTION

Alexa, Siri, and other voice assistants embedded in smart devices in our homes occasionally misunderstand what we’re saying. 

A six-year-old talked to her family’s new device about cookies and a dollhouse. Later her mom received an email saying that orders of seven pounds of cookies and a $170 dollhouse were on their way to her home. 

Even a talking parrot in London, whose owner had never bought anything online, somehow ordered a package of golden gift boxes without her knowledge. 

One person asked their device to “turn on the living room lights,” and it replied, “There is no pudding room.”

DEFINING MISUNDERSTANDING

There’s no such misunderstanding on God’s part when we talk with Him. 
On the other hand, differences between individuals often lead to MISUNDERSTANDINGS which is defined as “a failure to understand” or to “interpret incorrectly.”

Misunderstandings are common and can start a destructive cycle of disagreements, arguments, and quarrels that may last for a short period, or it could last a lifetime. 

• It can lead to the Separation of close friends. Acts 15:37 - 39
• Parents and their children consistently struggle to understand each other.
• Wives and Husband
• Employers and Employees

Misunderstandings that arise, hinder progress, relationships, and our peace of mind.

• How often have been misunderstood?
• How often have we misunderstood others?

COMMON CAUSES OF MISUNDERSTANDING 

Usually, misunderstandings occur because of the Gaps that we must deal with. These Gaps are as follows:

• Generation Gap
  A generation gap is a difference of opinions between one generation and another regarding beliefs, politics, or values. In today's usage, the generation gap often refers to a perceived gap between younger people and their parents or grandparents.

The different Generations:

• • Traditionalists or Silent Generation - 1945 and before
  • Baby Boomers - 1946-1964
  • Generation X - 1965-1976
  • Millennials or Gen Y - 1977-1995
  • Generation Z or iGen or Centennials - 1996-now
• Educational Gap
  The educational gap deals with the difference between levels or degrees of formal and informal learning. This gap can inhibit effective communication which can lead to misunderstanding.
• Religious Gap
  The religious gap deals with how valuable one considers their relationship with Jesus Christ versus another person. An example of this is recorded in Philippians 2:19-21,

“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.” 
Timothy naturally cared for the things of Jesus Christ and his brothers and sisters in the faith. He believed that this was more valuable than anything else. Our commitment to Jesus Christ and the thing of His Kingdom is predicated on the value we attribute to Him.

In the United States, religious congregations have been graying for decades, and young adults are now much less religious than their elders. Recent surveys have found that younger adults are far less likely than older generations to identify with a religion, believe in God or engage in a variety of religious practices.

But this is not solely an American phenomenon: Lower religious observance among younger adults is common around the world, according to a new analysis of Pew Research Center surveys conducted in more than 100 countries and territories over the last decade.

One common explanation is that younger generations become less religious in tandem with economic development – as collective worries about day-to-day survival become less pervasive and tragic events become less frequent. According to this line of thinking, each generation in a steadily developing society would be less religious than the last, which would explain why young adults are less religious than their elders at any given time.

Another reason cited is that differences in religious commitment reflect change during the life course. Although young adults often start out less religious than their elders, they tend to become more devout as they age, have children, and begin to face their own mortality. 

However, these explanations are not mutually exclusive – it is possible that young people will become more religious as they age but will still be less religious than previous generations.

• Cultural Gap 
  Any systematic difference between two cultures hinders mutual understanding or relations. Such differences include the values, behavior, education, and customs of the respective cultures. 

The term was originally used to describe the difficulties encountered in interactions between early 20th century travelers and pre-industrial cultures but has since been used more broadly to refer to mutual misunderstandings and incomprehension arising with people from differing backgrounds and experiences. 

Culture gaps can relate to religion, ethnicity, age, or social class. Examples of cultural differences that may lead to gaps include social norms and gender roles.

EFEFCTS OF MISUNDERSTANDING

• Misunderstandings hinder the work of the Gospel 

  “And now I want to plead with those two dear women, Euodias and Syntyche. Please, please, with the Lord’s help, quarrel no more—be friends again. 3 And I ask you, my true teammate, to help these women, for they worked side by side with me in telling the Good News to others; and they worked with Clement, too, and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are written in the Book of Life.” – Philippians 4:2-3 (TLB).

• Misunderstandings can result in mistreatment. 
  Joseph’s brothers misunderstood his dreams. 

“And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.” Gen. 37:26-27

• Misunderstanding can result in loss.

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” – St. John 6:53

“From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” – St. John 6:66-68.

• Misunderstanding can lead to persecution.

  “8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: 9 The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly, beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: 16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. 19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.” – Acts 14:8-19.

• Misunderstandings occur when people misinterpret or mistake the true significance of actions, words, attitudes, or motives:

Examples:

• • Joseph’s family misunderstood his dreams

“8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. 10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?” – Genesis 37:8;10.

They misunderstood the call that was on his life
They misunderstood the purpose 

• • David's motives were misunderstood by his brothers.

“And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.” – 1 Samuel 17:28

WHY THE MISUNDERSTANDING TEST

• To humble us as it reveals our own weakness
  It helps us deal with issues of concern that we might not even notice
  Probably some pride or pomposity that exist
• We do not always communicate effectively
• We do not always see the big picture as God sees it
  • Sometimes we don’t understand the leader’s mission/vision. Where the pastor wants to take the church. Sometimes we don’t even understand where the pastor wants to take us.
  • Churches grow when there is an understanding that I may not know where God is going.

• Showing us our weaknesses teaches us to rely on God and His Word and not just on our own abilities:

“And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” – Deuteronomy 8:3.

• Being misunderstood brings HUMILITY in our lives
  It is hard to be proud when everyone misunderstands your motives, your words,
  or your actions.

People are consumed by Self-Interests:

• • It is a Me-First generation
  • If you don’t Toot your own horn—you won’t be noticed
  • It’s everyone for himself.
  • It is a dog-eat-dog world we live and work in

However, we must keep our eyes on our perfect example – Jesus Christ:

“He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” – St. John 13:4-5

• Misunderstanding reveals PRIDE
  When we are prideful when we are prone to:
  • Self-Importance
  • Self-Indulgence
  • Self-Sufficiency
  • Self-Righteousness

• Misunderstanding reveals the necessity of PATIENCE

Being misunderstood means that we often must lay plans aside until the misunderstanding is resolved among those that are critical to its success.
Not everyone will agree with us, but we have a responsibility of providing clarity where possible.

• Misunderstanding reveals the necessity of FORBEARANCE and FORGIVENESS

Because of the differences, we have as a people (education, social status, generational views, cultural differences, and different weaknesses). We must be patient with the weak, and not be envious of those who are stronger. 

“12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” – Colossians 3:12-13.

• Misunderstanding helps us to MEASURE our MATURITY.

“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” – James 3:2

DANGERS IN DEALING BADLY WITH MISUNDERSTANDINGS

• Anger
• Resentment
• Unwise responses
• Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual baggage
• Despair
• Bitterness 

Conflict and bitterness in the church may be the single most damaging matter to the work of God. In the secular world, how one gets along with fellow workers is more important than experience, intelligence, gifts, and abilities.

• Misunderstandings force us to:
  • Learn to speak more clearly
  • Be more tolerant with others
  • Be patient with the slower pace of others
  • Be humble in face of opposition
  • Control our responses to prevent worsening the circumstance

As misunderstandings occur often and do such damage…it is important for a Christian to learn how to deal with misunderstandings effectively.

CONCLUSION

Everyone will be misunderstood at some point in his or her life. How one deals with
misunderstandings reveal one’s:

• Character
• Maturity
• Ability to Lead

Failing the misunderstanding test often leaves us defeated and embittered. 
Passing it brings us closer to the character of Christ