Blog: Nehemiah- Critics Are Inevitable

The more you are seen and the more you are known the more complicated your work becomes. You can’t stand for something without automatically communicating something you’re against.

We learn from Nehemiah to fight for that which is good rather than fighting against that which is bad. We are light in darkness so being the best reflection of the light of Christ is the best thing we can do.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  

For God to give you a broader audience of influence is for God to give you a broader audience of critics. Can God trust you to keep your focus when haters start to hate? If you are more emotionally charged than you are spiritually mature God simply has to keep you from having too much influence because critics are inevitable.

Nehemiah 4:1-4 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised… ESV

These mockers minimized anything the Israelites had to work with. The truth was they were working with ruins like most of us are. But the reality is they had been given access to the private resources of the King. We work with what we have but supplies are on the way.

Enemies come and enemies go but not one of your enemies has ever been raised from the dead so keep your focus and keep your faith. Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world!

Critics are inevitable. The next time somebody is being negative about you remember Jesus not only said this is inevitable but actually cautioned us about living so indifferently there is no human reaction: Luke 6:26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you... NIV

Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to someone who is deeply devoted to misunderstanding you!

Nehemiah 4:14-20 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” 15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work…18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built…. 20 …Our God will fight for us.” ESV

Remember your God and fight. Rehearse his greatness and get to work! Don’t be distracted by voices that will try to keep you from focusing on your call.

You don’t have to attend every argument to which you’re invited.

Ministry has enemies. Jesus had the perfect ministry and He had enemies. Then he said if you follow me you’ll have enemies. It is surprising in one way, but when you try to help others and make a difference, you are met with resistance. This is because there is more taking place than just what you see in the natural human realm. Otherwise people around us would say wow that’s great. You were trying to help others. 

The enemies of God are always trying to stop the word of God, and Satan is at work in those who are disobedient (Ephesians 2:2). There is actually a spiritual collaboration where demonic forces strategically cooperate and those who are under their influenced are used to work against you. But if God be for you who can be against you? (Romans 8:31)

When you learn to ignore your enemies, you get your time back, you get your emotional energy back and you get your focus back where it needs to be - on Jesus 

At this point they have not even tried to meet or have a conversation with Nehemiah. Manipulators love to put pressure out there publicly before asking to meet privately, so they have cultivated leverage to coerce you into their agenda.

Please do not allow your social media to be used as a demonic tool of division in our already divided world. When I’ve called this out before I’ve had pushback saying people need a support structure. The problem is it is simply not Biblical. If you have a problem and you post it publicly rather than going to the person (Matthew 18) then you can justify it however you want but it’s wrong. What you post as frustration will breed disdain and hate from those who pick up your offense. In addition you grow what you sow and that will come back on you one day.

Criticism is inevitable. We must learn not to respond to negativities. It’s not easy but with God all things are possible!

Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. ESV

Criticism is inevitable. Take captive every thought and choose to live from a deeper place than the place of emotional reaction. It is Christlike to be criticized and falsely accused without reacting trying to justify ourselves. Jesus didn’t even give an answer to Pilot’s question of accusations that were made against him.

When you settle the issue of God’s love for you then you will finally stop living for the praise of others. The disapproval from your critics will no longer slow you down.

Everywhere we go….

We Bring GP2RL Action Point: Read two chapters of Nehemiah each day this week asking God for courage to continue to move forward in the face of adversity.

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NEHEMIAH: Critics Are Inevitable

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Click here for a downloadable PDF file of this 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 4:1-4 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised… ESV

Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. ESV

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: Read two chapters of Nehemiah each day this week asking God for courage to continue to move forward in the face of adversity.