Should We Listen to Everyone’s Opinion of Us? [podcast]

Someone has wisely observed: “The way people treat you is a statement about who they are as a human being. It is not a statement about you.”

So true. Think of this in light of how some people rejected Jesus when He walked the earth. And our LORD promised us …

“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:19-20

The divine light of Christ shining in your life is going to manifest and enrage some of those in darkness and stir up the devils whose control they are currently under.

The life and and ministry of Jesus testifies to this. He said:

“The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” John 7:7 

Jesus told us that the devil is a liar and the accuser of HIS brethren who are our brethren (John 8:44; Revelation 12:10).

Jesus promised that we, as His disciples “shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 10:22) The quicker we realize that EVERYONE doesn’t like us, much less love us, the quicker expectations will be set which will prevent discouragement. Should we listen others opinion about us? 🙂

“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.” Ecclesiastes 7:20-22 

Who is the accuser of the brethren?

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren (Satan) is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:10-12

When someone holds you captive to a sin you committed in the past, they prove that they have not repented and confessed their own sins and therefore are not experiencing the saving grace and mercy of Christ themselves. Romans 2:1-3 speaks of these darkened unrepentant tares and how they project what they are guilty of on others. Some of these are reprobates. If they were presently walking with the merciful Savior, they’d be enacting Galatians 6:1-2.

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3

Origin of Lies

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44

Satan’s Mission

“The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:” John 10:10

Jesus Came to…

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

What matters is how God presently views you and not what men think or say of you.

“Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.” Proverbs 29:26

What to think upon:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

“Hid with Christ in God”

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 

What to do with the Devil

“Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

WHO listens to slander?

“A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.” Proverbs 17:4 

HINT: Just because something is repeated, doesn’t make it a fact.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:7-8

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16

Jesus knew it was Satan influencing Peter, one of His own disciples. Here’s how Jesus responded:

“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Matthew 16:23

“Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.” Proverbs 14:7

How do we know someone is of God or not of God – is speaking for God or Satan and self?

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

God’s Love To His People

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:33-39 

What do you think Should We Listen to Everyone’s Opinion of Us?

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