Some people in our lives want our energy and our attention with the motive of control. This is what we find in Nehemiah, Chapter 6. Distraction must be met with discernment or we will lose sight of what matters.
Nehemiah 6:1-4 When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; 3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” 4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. ESV
Nehemiah was discerning, “they were scheming to harm me”. Nehemiah refused to be distracted. He was focused! Not everybody’s tongue belongs in your ear.
What you don't do determines what you can do! Your “yes” becomes more powerful when your “no” becomes more regular!"
Quality sacrifices Quantity and Quantity sacrifices Quality. $1 can equal 4 quarters or $1 can equal 100 pennies. The value of what is given is determined by how it is divided. The value of your life is determined by how you divide it. Be discerning not distracted!
Nehemiah 6:5-8 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter 6 in which was written: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king 7 and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.” 8 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” ESV
An unsealed letter as opposed to a sealed letter. This was purposefully open with the intention of creating public pressure before a private conversation would take place. Social media is the open letter of our day. The same spirit that was at work in Nehemiah‘s day is the same spirit at work, in same ways in our day. We live in a different day, but we do not deal with the different demons.
Their motive is control, and rather than privately, communicating with integrity, they publicly communicate with the obvious intention of making you do what they want you to do. They push you and pressure you and you start to think maybe if I meet with them, it will solve the problem. But again, let me reiterate once again, “Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to someone who is deeply devoted to misunderstanding you.”
Posting on social media to get people spun up before we have a meeting or a conversation about a situation Makes you feel more in control to make me do what you want me to do. The Bible connects manipulative control to witchcraft Galatians 3:1.
When someone is voicing their complaint and then they throw in that famous leveraging statement, “I’m not the only one who feels this way” communicates people aren’t doing what the Bible says to do in the way they’re handling what might even be legitimate concerns. So often people don’t even realize they are being used by the enemy to fight against the work of God because they are so emotionally charged about their carnal agenda coming from their unrenewed mind.
This does not make the person the enemy, but you must be careful not to be distracted by loud voices. If you have ought, concern or offense with a brother or sister go to that person privately (Matthew 18:15-17) DO NOT post this on social media.
Do not associate with people with a quick-tempered carnal disposition (Proverbs 22:24).
Guy left church angry posted rant before service ended. Why pastors interrupt the Holy S. I responded to W.Pstor Did matter? Did I try to explain? Nehemiah didn’t go into elaborate responses and explanations. Focus!
Be discerning not distracted and God’s Kingdom will expand.
Rebuilding the wall took only 52 days. For 141 years the walls could not be rebuilt and then they were rebuilt in 52 days. Discernment came because Nehemiah prayed. Before he led the charge to rebuild, he prayed earnestly for 4 months! A 52-day project had a 4-month foundation of prayer. Before God did something through Nehemiah, God did something in Nehemiah.
“Help” can be a prayer. “Thank you” is a prayer. Constant little Breath Prayers all day long is the practice of this deep abiding with God. Try not to focus on having the right words and just bring your honesty and authenticity to the Lord.
Everywhere we go….
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Continue to read two chapters of Nehemiah each day asking God to give us all discernment to keep us free from distraction.
NEHEMIAH: Be Discerning Not Distracted
DISCUSSION GUIDE
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: Nehemiah is all about rebuilding the ruins of the work of God in our world. God’s people had grown distracted and disconnected from God’s plan for them to be the expression of His Kingdom in the Earth.
Jerusalem had been in ruins since the Babylonian invasion in 586 B.C. Nehemiah lead the third of three returns to Israel after 70 years of exile in Babylon. Even in a state of ruin God was still at work looking for someone who would have a heart to respond to what God was about to do.
This is the condition of the Western church today. Much can be gained by a close examination of Nehemiah’s response in his day. God woke up a fresh movement that brought life but it was met with great challenges. No matter how challenging it was God was always seeing his work through.
God’s work is a work within us as we learn to respond to Him. It is God’s plan is for us to spend time drawing close to his heart and hearing his voice together as a family. This is why we start each meeting with this question first:
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
Ask each person in your group to answer the discussion questions below after reading the verses. Realize, there is great power in just reading the Bible together and allowing the Holy Spirit to awaken His conversational nature in the group.
Nehemiah 6:5-8 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter 6 in which was written: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king 7 and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.” 8 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” ESV
Romans 2:11 …God pays no attention to what others say about you. He makes up his own mind. MSG
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
2. DISCOVER: Have each person give a simple 60 second summary of what these verses are saying, Encourage people to try not to add insights or application yet. Just simply summarize.
3. DEVELOP: What do you sense God may be speaking to you personally as we focus on these verses?
4. DEPLOY: We are to be doers and not hearers only. What will you do this week in response to what you sense God is revealing in this time together?
Everywhere we go, we bring...
GP2RL: Continue to read two chapters of Nehemiah each day asking God to give us all discernment to keep us free from distraction.