When You Are Misunderstood

2 Corinthians 1:12
 Are you guilty of
“assumicide”?
Assumicide leads to death of relationships
because we end up believing the worst about
others.
• He didn’t call back so he must not want to talk to
me.
• I think she’s trying to ignore me.
• They never hire people like me.
• How could he be a Christian and act like that?
• I’ll bet they are sleeping together.
• You can’t trust someone who dresses like that.
• I don’t like him. I don’t know why. I just don’t like
him.
2 Corinthians 1:12
“Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that
we have conducted ourselves in the world, and
especially in our relations with you, in the holiness
and sincerity that are from God. We have done so
not accordingly to worldly wisdom but according to
God’s grace”
From Acts 18 we know that he spent 18 months in
Corinth winning people to Christ and establishing the
church.

Chief Complaint:
Paul couldn't be trusted because he had changed his
travel plans - not once but twice. He hadn't come
back to visit the Corinthians as he said he would.
That proved he was a fickle man whose character
and message could not be trusted.
 Little things.

Small stuff.

Petty complaints.
Our actions may be questioned.
From a careful reading of 1 and 2 Corinthians it
appears that Paul made three different decisions
about his trip to Corinth:
1. He planned to go to Macedonia and then to
Corinth. (1 Corinthians 16:5-7)
2. He later planned to go to Corinth, then to
Macedonia, and then back to Corinth. (1
Corinthian 1:15-16)
3. He decided to postpone his trip altogether. (2
Corinthians 2:1)
Paul’s answer comes in three parts:

1. My conscience is clear (v. 12).

2. I haven't hidden anything from you (v. 12).
3. I haven't tried to deceive you (v. 13).
Our Words May Be Twisted
Paul doesn't try to hide his change of plans. It's true that he
had changed his mind several times, but whether or not the
Corinthians could understand it, his only concern was for their
welfare.

("Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you
for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm" 2
Corinthians 1:24).
He wanted to come and see them but only if his visit would
bring about healing and spiritual growth.
• Get to know the Lord.
• Make God's Word the standard for your life.
• Rest in his love.
• Revel in his righteousness.
• Think about his greatness.
• Give glory to his name.
Our Motives May Be Challenged
His critics thought Paul was some sort of fickle, fly-
by-night preacher, the kind who is always on a power
trip, a control freak who enjoys having his acolytes
sing his praises. When he didn't show up when they
expected him, what else could they conclude but
that he didn't love them?
"For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of
heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to
let you know the depth of my love for you" (v. 4).

As hard as it may be for some of us to hear, we can't

always solve every problem in the world.
• Some people won't listen.
• Some people love to argue.
• Some people have already made up their minds.
• Some people have an answer for everything.
How to Respond to Misunderstanding
1. Sometimes we will be misunderstood by our
close friends.
How to Respond to Misunderstanding
1. Sometimes we will be misunderstood by our
close friends.
2. The best defense is an honest, clear, non-
defensive explanation.
How to Respond to Misunderstanding
1. Sometimes we will be misunderstood by our
close friends.
2. The best defense is an honest, clear, non-
defensive explanation.
3. We can’t control how people respond to us.
How to Respond to Misunderstanding
1. Sometimes we will be misunderstood by our
close friends.
2. The best defense is an honest, clear, non-
defensive explanation.
3. We can’t control how people respond to us.
4. Pray for those who misunderstand you.
How to Respond to Misunderstanding
1. Sometimes we will be misunderstood by our
close friends.
2. The best defense is an honest, clear, non-
defensive explanation.
3. We can’t control how people respond to us.
4. Pray for those who misunderstand you.
5. We must not return evil for evil.
When they swore at Jesus, he didn't swear back.

When they scourged him, he didn't retaliate.

When the soldiers pushed the crown of thorns on his

head, he didn't curse at them.

When they drove the nails in his hands and feet, he didn't
threaten them.

When the bystanders spat at him, he didn't spit back.

When they swore at him, he didn't swear back.

 It's not about me.
It's not about now.
It's all about God.
It's all about eternity.