One of my favourite songs by Ron
Kenoly is “whose report will you believe?” The chorus to the song is “we shall
believe the report of the Lord!” I love the song because it challenges us to
believe God’s report even when we are surrounded by all sorts of reports from
others and from within.
These reports or opinions are often based on what people perceive which may not always be right. Nevertheless opinions often
affect us positively or negatively. If a person is regularly told, “you are no
good”, “you will amount to nothing”, “you are worthless”, etc., it is only a
matter of time before the person starts suffering from low self-esteem and
engaging in destructive behaviours. The reverse is the case when a person is
regularly praised and complimented.
Just because people have all sorts
of opinions about us doesn’t mean we must listen to and believe them. We have to
make a determined effort to filter out what we hear, taking in the good and
constructive ones, and leaving out the damaging critical ones. This was what
happened to David when he chose to ignore his oldest brother’s disparaging
comments just before he fought with Goliath in the book of 1Samuel chapter
17:25-32.
As some of you know, David was the
youngest son of Jesse and had been anointed king instead of his older brothers earlier on.
But even after his anointing, he was still a shepherd, because the time had not
come for him to assume his kingship. So on this day while his older brothers
and indeed all Israelite men of military age were at the battlefront facing the
Philistines, he was tending to his father’s flock. His father asked him to
take provisions to his brothers, and so he went, after making sure the flock
were cared for by a shepherd.
On getting to the battlefront, he
overheard Goliath the giant, taunting the Israelites and insulting their God.
The Israelites were naturally scared of this giant who was formidable and none
dared to confront him even with all the rewards the king had offered.
As David enquired about the
rewards for defeating Goliath, his oldest brother Eliab, who had overhead him became
very angry. And this was what he said, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few
sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart
is; you came down only to watch the battle."
His anger was clearly unjustified,
and his belittling opinion of David was unnecessary. He may have been resentful
of the fact that David was anointed king instead of him. Regardless of what
provoked that angry outburst, it was done to incite David to lose his cool.
It would have understandable if David got angry and defensive when his brother belittled him and
then lied that his heart was wicked. Secondly it would also have been easy for him to believe what his brother said about him. After all Eliab was the
oldest son who would take over authority after the death of their father.
Fortunately David knew too much
about what God thought of him to become bothered about the disparaging comments
of his oldest brother. He clearly ignored him and turned to another person to
ask his questions. Because he chose to dwell on God’s opinion of him, he
ignored contrary opinions, and rather spent his energy on fighting Goliath,
which thrust him into fame.
Like David, we will hear all sorts
of opinions about us. We will even have opinions about ourselves. But you have
to ask yourself “are these opinions similar to God’s opinions of me?” The Bible
says that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. If the opinions you dwell
upon are positive, then you will act positively, but if you harbour negative
thoughts, its only a matter of time before you start doing something negative.
What do you think of yourself? Do
you see yourself as a failure? Do you think because
Regardless of where that negative
opinion comes from or how long it has been playing in your head, if it does not
align with God’s opinion, then push it out of your head. Just because your mother
or father or pastor, or husband or wife, or friend, said something in anger
about you does not necessarily make it right. I challenge you to begin to see
yourself the way God sees you and to filter out any contrary opinion. Do you
want to know some of the opinions God has about you? Well here are a few:
· "Before
I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” - Jeremiah
1:5
· "I
have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing
kindness” - Jeremiah 31:3
·
“For I know the
plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to
give you a future and a hope.”
- Jeremiah 29:11
·
“Can a
mother forget the baby at her breast and
have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” - Isaiah 49:15
·
“The LORD is like a father to his children, tender
and compassionate to those who fear him” - Psalm 103:13
· “I can do
all things through Christ who strengthens me”
- Philippians 4:13
· “I am
fearfully and wonderfully made” – Psalm 139:14
These verses should get you going when negative thoughts or
opinions come against you. Remember as a man or woman thinks in his/her heart,
so is he/she. Also remember that God loves you unconditionally, no matter how you
might feel or what others may say. Make very effort to think right and you will begin to do right and
feel right. God's blessings!
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