DIG FOR THE TRUTH!
Greetings church family!
In the winter of 1692, the small Puritan settlement of Salem Village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony became the epicenter of one of the most infamous episodes in early American history: the Salem Witch Trials. The spark for the trials came when several young girls in Salem Village began exhibiting strange fits, contortions, and outbursts. Unable to explain their behavior medically, the community interpreted the events as evidence of supernatural affliction. Under pressure, the girls named specific individuals in the village as the cause—accusing them of making a covenant with the devil. These accusations spread quickly, often targeting those who were outsiders, socially vulnerable, or otherwise at odds with the tight-knit community.
From there, the process of accusation and judgment spiraled out of control. “Spectral evidence”—testimony that the accused’s spirit or specter had appeared to the witness—was admitted in court, despite its complete lack of tangible proof. The trials became less about uncovering truth and more about affirming the fears already gripping the community. The accused were trapped: if they denied the charges, they were often deemed guilty; if they confessed (even falsely), they might escape execution but had to implicate others, fueling the cycle.
The Salem Witch Trials stand as a classic example of rushed judgment. The community’s leaders, including respected ministers and magistrates, allowed fear to override due process. There was no careful weighing of evidence—only an urgent desire to resolve the crisis and remove perceived threats. Truth became secondary to the preservation of the community’s religious and social order. In this way, the trials also represent the distortion of truth. False testimony was elevated to the level of divine revelation, while rational inquiry and skepticism were viewed as suspect. Accusations were treated as proof, and confession was rewarded even if it was coerced or fabricated. The pursuit of truth was replaced with the pursuit of confirmation for already-held fears.
Proverbs 18:17 is a little mirror held up to our rush-to-judgment instincts. It states, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” At first glance it’s almost amusing: the first speaker sounds convincing, the room nods, a verdict forms — until a second voice arrives and the whole story reshapes. But this proverb carries a sober spiritual warning: appearances and first impressions can deceive, and a faithful life requires restraint, listening, and a search for fuller truth.
We live in a time designed to reward the first, loudest, or most dramatic account. Yet Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people away from snap judgments. “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19). Jesus warned, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24). Leviticus puts a legal and moral onus on fairness: “Do not act unjustly when deciding a case. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly.” (Leviticus 19:15). Wisdom needs humility; humility demands listening.
Why does this matter spiritually? First, premature judgment damages relationships. When we close the door to other voices, we harden ourselves and risk alienating those who need grace. Second, false certainty dishonors God, who alone sees motives and the heart (Psalm 139:1–4). Third, the pattern of hasty verdicts fuels injustice in communities and in churches.
Proverbs 20:5 gives us a practical posture: “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” Insight isn’t passive; it asks questions, seeks context, and refuses the comfort of the first tidy story.
Let us take this message to heart in our daily life. Blessings, church family, and may we be reminded moment by moment that God is for us, God is with us, and God loves us!
Chris Morris
