Session 2
Are you a person of truth? Are you able to stand without being shaken? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you shared one response, but found that the more times you were asked a question, the more your answer would change?
Nehemiah was a man who knew the truth and could not be shaken. No matter who tried to deter him from doing what he knew was right and true, he stayed true to what God had called him to do and to say. He responded to Sanballat and his messengers with the same message regardless of how they tried to deceive him.
Let’s travel through the beginning of Nehemiah 6:1-4.
“1 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.”
We read in verse 4 that Nehemiah said, “Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.” He would not waver. No one could get him off course.
Tweetable: In a nutshell, Nehemiah was a mentally healthy person. He didn’t have much of a conversation with Sanballat and his gang of people. Nehemiah stood his ground and refused to get caught up in the games that were being played. @GailDudley
Quick story. I co-own READY Publication, a quarterly print magazine alongside my daughter. One day I received an invitation to attend a meeting with someone who had received a copy of the magazine. Both of us are Christian women. During the meeting, the individual asked about my service in ministry, the church where I serve as a pastor alongside my husband, and my speaking and books. It was clear the person was digging for information and questioning my love for Jesus. At times, I have asked God why He has given me such a spirit of discernment because I end up knowing information that could be painful for me. This particular time I was grateful for the gift. After several questions, the person finally said, “READY is not a Christian magazine.” My reply was simple. “No, it is not. We are Christian women who publish READY.”
A few moments later the person changed their statement. They said, “As a Christian woman, you have a magazine that is not what one would call biblically based.” My reply was simple. “No, it is not. We are Christian women who publish READY.”
I was a little shocked when the person tried once again to group what I do as an entrepreneur of a small business alongside my daughter to my Christianity. She said, “As a Christian pastor, your magazine does not speak Christianity.” My reply was simple. “No, it is not. We are Christian women who publish READY.”
Now, I could have given her more information, but why? What would be the point of explaining myself? I realized that I would have ended up in a debate with this person unnecessarily. I would have placed myself in the position of defending myself and what I do as a businesswoman.
Situations such as this can happen to many of us in everyday life situations. The moment we start explaining ourselves the deeper we find ourselves in a hole finding it challenging to come out. Nothing that the woman was saying was true. As Nehemiah 6:8 says, “…(she) was making it up out of her head.” My magazine is not a Christian magazine. I know what it is. However, there are articles included in the publication that references scriptures. This publication has to do with diversity, philanthropy, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, immigration, motivation, politics, and women leaders. We go deep and expose secret conversations. We give a platform for women and girls to share their voices. It is not designed to be a Christian publication.
I know the mission and vision of READY Publication. What’s important is that I am secure enough with my business and product that I did not give room for this person to rattle me or take me off course. Just like Nehemiah. He never allowed Sanballat or any of the messengers to rattle or intimidate him to distract him from doing what he was called to do.
Take a 15-minutes and view this video. Have paper and pen along with your book, workbook, and journal. Take time to pray then work through the questions.
Make this a great week, and take steps to unveil the lies by getting to the truth.
Buy the Who Told You That book and bible study/workbook: click here
