Suspicion Is Not a Fruit of the Spirit

The phrase “hermeneutics of suspicion” was coined by the French Philosopher Jean-Paul Gustave Ricœur (sick name). 

The hermeneutics of suspicion is “a style of literary interpretation in which texts are read with skepticism in order to expose their purported repressed or hidden meanings." 

In other words, (my translation):

“Don’t believe the author. Don’t take the words for what they are.”

“There’s always more to it and we need to figure out what that is.” 

“Don’t trust. Question everything.”

It seems like this method of literary interpretation has “concept crept” (to use the language of Jonathan Haidt) into how we view every other aspect of life.

Whether we’re processing current events, assessing organizations, navigating relationships, or interpreting a text message, everyone’s suspicion meter has gone up. A “hermeneutic of suspicion” for all things has become a learned skill for how many are choosing to approach and operate these days. We’re more suspicious as a society than before.

But Christians, followers of Jesus, are also more suspicious than before as well.

Why I’m Not Surprised By Christians Being More Suspicious

Division, scandals, abuse, and a broader shift in society in recent years have understandably led to a decline in trust.

We’ve seen the reports of trusted leaders and those in faith communities living in ungodly ways. We’re also bombarded with conflicting messaging of what’s real versus what’s misinformation. The rage and outrage volumes have been elevated. 

This is the air we currently breathe.

Why I am Surprised By the Grown Suspiciousness of Christians 

I am surprised by this for two reasons: 

1. Christians have mistaken suspicion for discernment. 

Discernment and suspicion are not the same things. They’re very different actually.

Discernment is an acknowledgment birthed out of understanding. Suspicion already assumes and imports an understanding (whether true or not). Discernment holds all things to the burning light of the Scriptures. Suspicion holds all things to the authority of self-regulated emotions. Discernment aims for the love of neighbor. It seeks to help and correct for restorative purposes. Suspicion on the other creates distance and disunity. (And should it create “unity” it’s a shallow and temporary one forged amongst those who share the same suspicions.)

Discernment is to walk in the Spirit. Suspicion is not a fruit of the Spirit. Discernment is godly, suspicion is not.

2. Christians should be the most hopeful people on the planet. 

If you read that through the hermeneutic of suspicion, you probably thought, “And by that, you mean ‘the most naive people on the planet.’”

Or you probably thought, “You are clearly privileged and don’t see some of the real things happening out in the real world.” 

But I say that because it’s true Biblically: We have a “God of Hope” (Rom 15:13). We have a “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). Hope is the Christian triad alongside faith and love (1 Cor 13:13). It’s also true globally: There are Christians who are physically suffering for their faith and are full of hope. It’s been true historically: Christian martyrs and those who endured great injustices were hope-filled witnesses in their day.

Hopefulness is not the same thing as naivete or spiritual bypassing. Hope is to hold to the greatest realities while acknowledging all realities.

Conclusion

In the last few months, my heart has been broken by sad and difficult news of things gone wrong. I’ve experienced grief. I’ve felt anger. I’ve felt the pull towards a hermeneutic of suspicion, to see everything and everyone through a lens of “We’ll see” and “There’s probably more.”

But I know it will poison my soul should I move forward in this way. I need a better alternative than perpetual suspicion. And something tells me our world (which is drowning in suspicion) needs a better alternative too.

Let’s be discerning and call suspiciousness for what it truly is.