WHEN MISUNDERSTANDING LEADS TO DIVISION
September 25, 2026
Have you ever experienced a situation where something was misunderstood, and before the truth could be explained, that misunderstanding began to create distance, hurt, or division?
The Bible gives us a powerful example of this in Joshua 22. It reminds us that a misunderstanding does not have to become a division—and that seeking understanding can protect relationships and preserve peace.
Joshua 22
After the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh returned to their land, they built a large altar near the Jordan River. When the other Israelites heard about it, they misunderstood why the altar had been built.
They assumed the tribes had built a rival altar and were turning away from the Lord. The situation became so serious that they were preparing for war against their own people.
But before they acted, they sent Phinehas and representatives to speak with them. The tribes were given an opportunity to explain their intentions.
The tribes explained that the altar was not an act of rebellion. They had built it as a witness—a reminder to future generations that they too belonged to the Lord.
“No! We did it for fear that in time to come your children might say to our children, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?’”
— Joshua 22:24
Once the truth was understood, the conflict changed completely. The people realized they had misunderstood the situation, and the threat of battle was ended.
“And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle.”
— Joshua 22:33
What we learn from Joshua 22
• Something was misunderstood.
• Assumptions were made.
• Accusations began to form.
• Division was about to take place.
• BUT, someone was willing to seek understanding.
• The truth was revealed.
• Peace was restored.
Wisdom for Our Relationships
Proverbs 18:13 says: “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.”
Sometimes division does not begin with truth. It begins with an assumption about the truth. We can hear something, see something, or experience something—and immediately create a conclusion before we have heard the whole story.
A Word About Division
Proverbs 6:19 warns about “a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” God cares about unity and truth. We should be careful not to allow misunderstanding, assumptions, or incomplete information to become seeds of division.
Ephesians 4:3 calls us to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Closing
Maybe today there is a situation in your life where something has been misunderstood. Maybe someone misunderstood your heart. Maybe you misunderstood theirs. Maybe an assumption has created distance where there was once relationship.
I want to speak specifically to the person who has been misunderstood. There has been division in a relationship because of a misunderstanding, and you have not had the opportunity to have your heart, your intentions, or your truth heard. I want to encourage you today that the misunderstanding is not the final version. God sees what has been misunderstood. He knows the truth that has not yet been heard. The Lord is bringing sudden understanding and opening the eyes of their understanding and causing them to see what they could not see before. (Ephesians 1:18) What has been hidden behind an assumption is coming into the Light. What has been misinterpreted is receiving revelation that brings a transformation that produces restoration. The truth is coming forth and causing relationships that have been misaligned through deception and wickedness to come back into alignment. On earth as it is in Heaven.
Joshua 22 reminds us: before we allow a misunderstanding to become division, we should pursue truth, listen carefully, and make room for understanding. If someone did not respect you enough to make room for understanding then I am sorry you endured the pain of it. The Lord is bringing you the opportunity for your side to be heard. If you are the one who assumed something about someone else, then I encourage you to go to them and make room for understanding.
Shalom,
Tammy Lynn
