We’ve all been there—made a snap judgment, confident in our assessment, only to realize later just how wrong we were. It’s part of being human. We size people or situations up quickly, sometimes based on limited information, and act accordingly. Often, it feels reasonable to do so. After all, life doesn’t always give us the luxury of time to dig deeper.
But what happens when we realize our judgment was off? The best course is to own it: “I was wrong.” Simple words, but they carry the weight of humility and the power to rebuild trust.
The Bible gives us examples of people who made snap judgments but later had to correct themselves. Let’s take a closer look at two stories.
Example 1: Samuel and Choosing a King (1 Samuel 16:6-7, NIV)
When God sent Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel, he was sure that Eliab, Jesse’s eldest son, was the chosen one. Samuel thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But God corrected him, saying:
“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Samuel, a prophet, made a snap judgment based on what seemed obvious—Eliab’s impressive appearance. Yet God reminded him that His perspective goes far beyond the surface. It’s a lesson for all of us: appearances can be deceiving, and only time and deeper understanding reveal true character.
Example 2: Paul and John Mark (Acts 15:36-39, NIV)
Paul, one of the greatest apostles, made a sharp judgment against John Mark after Mark had abandoned a missionary journey. When Barnabas suggested giving Mark a second chance, Paul refused, leading to a disagreement so strong that the two parted ways.
Yet, years later, Paul recognized his mistake. Writing to Timothy, he said:
“Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11, NIV)
Paul’s initial judgment of Mark was harsh, but he didn’t let his pride stop him from admitting his error and restoring the relationship.
Reflection
It’s tempting to double down when we realize we’ve misjudged someone or something. Admitting we were wrong feels vulnerable, even uncomfortable. But there’s great strength in acknowledging our mistakes and setting the record straight.
Next time we catch ourselves making a snap judgment—whether about a person, a decision, or even ourselves—let’s pause and ask: Do I have the full story? Am I seeing beyond the surface? And if we’ve already made the call and later realize it was wrong, let’s take a cue from scripture: own it, correct it, and grow from it.
Snap judgments may be part of life, but how we handle them afterward defines our character.
What’s one time you had to admit you were wrong? How did it change the situation—or even you?
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