Don’t assume. That has always been a standard phrase in society. Perhaps it might fall under the heading of be innocent yet shrewd as serpents.  What those around you think may not be what you think. Perhaps a good reason more people need to talk and communicate about more than football scores over the weekend.

[Barna.org] One of the most dangerous assumptions a pastor can make is that church members clearly grasp the truth about the supernatural realities that shape our lives.

For instance, most everyone in America says there’s a God. But what do they believe about that God? A majority of Americans claim to have made a personal commitment to Jesus. Yet what is the character of that Christ? Most adults can vaguely outline their belief that God is triune, but don’t ask them to vouch for the reality of the Holy Spirit, much less the existence of the devil, the great adversary.

The easiest concept for people to grasp is God as creator – our Father. In our surveys most adults embrace an orthodox view of a supreme Creator who is perfect, all-knowing, all-powerful, and sovereign.

When it comes to Jesus, most adults believe that a person has to consciously accept Christ as Savior in order to go to heaven. However, only one-third of Americans firmly embrace the idea that Jesus of Nazareth did not sin during his time on earth. What’s more, many born-again Christians maintain doubt as to the sinless life of Christ. That is, even among individuals who personally believe they’re being saved by faith in Jesus, people are skeptical that Jesus was “tempted in all things, yet was without sin.”

Similarly, only one-third of Americans – and half of born-again Christians – believe in the reality of the Holy Spirit. And if people’s belief in the Trinity is fuzzy, consider that only one-quarter of Americans today, including just 38 percent of born-again Christians, realize they have a real enemy. The sobering news is that these trends are worsening – people’s limited understanding of key biblical principles is eroding.

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