I heard a crude but funny statement (which I won't repeat here) about what we do when we assume things. When I remember that saying I sometimes think about those who don't believe in God or the Bible. They don't know God, but they assume that what they believe about the afterlife is true and worth banking all their hopes and expectations on. That's a really scary place to be in my opinion. And we shouldn't just pretend or accept the idea that if a particular view or idea or path is widely accepted that it's good for us to follow.
If you recall, Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matt. 7:13-14) So if you find yourself going along with the flow and following the masses, don't just assume you're on the right road. That's probably a good indication that you're headed the wrong way.
Here's a devotional by Rev. Roger J. Andrus, that takes a look at the one who makes these kind of foolish assumptions.
The Path of Foolish Assumptions
"Seeing is believing," says man, "and I can see that this is a right path." He is sure he knows and is making no mistake. He prides himself, "I have eyes. I have brains."
That also means that he feels no need whatever for revelation on the matter. He is authority enough. It hardly occurs to him to consult God.
"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool" (Proverbs 28:26)
Yet, no matter how "right" it seemed, it ends in death, that is, eternal separation from God. It was not a path of God nor a path to God.
The picture is that of a journey, and the traveler imagines that he is following a straight path that will lead him to his proper destination of success and happiness. But he finds, when it is already too late, that it led him to an early death and the destruction of all his plans for life.
O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD (Jer. 22:29)
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isa. 8:20)
If I am right, thy grace impart
Still in the right to stay;
If I am wrong, oh teach my heart
To find that better way.
----Author Unknown
Friend, do not assume anything about eternity. Take Christ as your personal Savior today.
Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper