Overcoming Naysayers: Trusting God's Vision for Success
Summary
In today's world, many self-help books claim that desire and determination are all you need to succeed. However, this is only partially true. While these qualities are important, they are not sufficient on their own. Success also requires the right tools and skills, as highlighted in Ecclesiastes 10:10, which states that skill will bring success. Just as a sharp axe makes chopping wood easier, honing your skills through learning and practice is essential for achieving your goals.
One crucial skill is learning how to deal with naysayers—those who doubt your abilities or the feasibility of your dreams. Throughout history, anyone who has accomplished something significant has faced naysayers. Even David, before facing Goliath, had to overcome the doubts of those around him. It's important to remember that naysayers are not necessarily bad people; they may even love you and want the best for you. However, they do not understand the vision God has given you.
To handle naysayers effectively, there are four key steps. First, remember that they are not God. Their opinions should not hold the same weight as God's. Proverbs 29:25 warns that the fear of human opinion can disable you, but trusting in God protects you from this. Second, do not get distracted by negativity. Like Nehemiah, who focused on rebuilding Jerusalem's walls despite opposition, stay committed to your mission. Third, never retaliate against naysayers. Instead, respond with grace and leave judgment to God. Finally, focus on God and His promises. When faced with criticism, find strength in the Lord and His word, not in the approval of others.
Ultimately, what matters is not what others think of you, but what God thinks of you. By trusting in God's promises and focusing on His vision for your life, you can overcome the negativity and fulfill the purpose He has set for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Skill Over Strength: Success requires more than just desire and determination; it requires skill. Ecclesiastes 10:10 teaches that a sharpened axe, or skill, makes the work easier and more effective. Therefore, invest time in learning and developing the skills necessary for your goals. [00:58]
- Naysayers Are Not God: Naysayers may love you and want the best for you, but they are not God. Their opinions should not dictate your actions or beliefs. Trust in God's vision for your life, as His opinion is the one that truly matters. [05:03]
- Stay Focused Amidst Opposition: Like Nehemiah, who rebuilt Jerusalem's walls despite ridicule and threats, stay focused on your mission. Every opportunity comes with opposition, but persistence and focus on God's purpose will see you through. [10:29]
- Respond Like Jesus: When faced with criticism, do not retaliate. Instead, respond with grace and leave judgment to God. This approach not only aligns you with Jesus' example but also invites God's blessings and power into your life. [21:05]
- Anchor in God's Promises: In times of doubt and negativity, find strength in God's promises. Bank His words in your heart, as they are the foundation of your identity and purpose. What God says about you is what truly matters. [24:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - The Myth of Desire and Determination
- [00:40] - Ecclesiastes 10:10: Skill Brings Success
- [01:30] - Sharpening Your Skills
- [02:01] - Understanding Naysayers
- [03:11] - Facing Opposition
- [04:05] - David and Goliath: Overcoming Doubt
- [05:03] - Naysayers Are Not God
- [06:52] - Fear of God Over Fear of Man
- [07:24] - The Importance of a Big Vision of God
- [09:09] - Nehemiah's Focus Amidst Opposition
- [10:29] - Opportunity and Opposition
- [12:22] - Avoiding Distractions
- [17:31] - Never Retaliate
- [22:33] - Focus on God and His Promises
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ecclesiastes 10:10 - "If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success."
2. Proverbs 29:25 - "The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that."
3. 1 Peter 2:23 - "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ecclesiastes 10:10, what is the relationship between skill and success? How does this relate to the analogy of a sharp axe? [00:58]
2. What does Proverbs 29:25 say about the impact of fearing human opinion, and how does trusting in God provide protection? [05:21]
3. In the story of David and Goliath, what were the "four giants" David faced before confronting Goliath, and how did they manifest as naysayers? [04:34]
4. How did Nehemiah respond to the opposition he faced while rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, and what can we learn from his focus and determination? [12:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the analogy of a dull axe in Ecclesiastes 10:10 illustrate the importance of developing skills in our spiritual and personal lives? [00:58]
2. In what ways can the fear of human opinion disable us, and how does trusting in God change our perspective and actions? [05:21]
3. How does the story of David and Goliath demonstrate the importance of overcoming naysayers, and what role does faith play in this process? [04:34]
4. What lessons can be drawn from Nehemiah's response to ridicule and threats, and how can these lessons be applied to modern challenges we face? [12:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied solely on desire and determination without honing your skills. What steps can you take to sharpen your "axe" in your current pursuits? [00:58]
2. Identify a situation where the fear of others' opinions has held you back. How can you shift your focus to trust in God's vision for your life? [05:21]
3. Think of a naysayer in your life who doubts your abilities or dreams. How can you respond with grace and maintain focus on God's promises? [04:34]
4. Nehemiah stayed focused on his mission despite opposition. What distractions are currently hindering your focus, and how can you address them? [12:04]
5. Jesus did not retaliate when insulted. How can you practice responding with grace in situations where you feel attacked or criticized? [20:46]
6. Consider a promise from God that you can anchor yourself in during times of doubt. How can you remind yourself of this promise daily? [24:48]
7. Reflect on a personal goal or vision you believe God has given you. What practical steps can you take this week to move closer to fulfilling that purpose? [08:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Skill is Essential for Success
Success in life is not solely dependent on desire and determination. While these qualities are important, they must be complemented by the right skills and tools. Ecclesiastes 10:10 illustrates this by comparing a sharpened axe to skill, emphasizing that skill makes work easier and more effective. In today's world, honing your skills through learning and practice is crucial for achieving your goals. Just as a craftsman sharpens his tools, you must invest time in developing the skills necessary for your personal and professional growth. [00:58]
Ecclesiastes 10:10 (ESV): "If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed."
Reflection: What specific skill do you need to sharpen to better pursue your goals, and what steps can you take this week to begin improving it?
Day 2: Trust in God's Vision Over Human Opinion
Naysayers are a part of life, often doubting your abilities or the feasibility of your dreams. However, their opinions should not dictate your actions or beliefs. It's important to remember that naysayers, even those who love you, are not God. Trust in God's vision for your life, as His opinion is the one that truly matters. Proverbs 29:25 warns that the fear of human opinion can disable you, but trusting in God protects you from this. By focusing on God's promises and His vision, you can overcome the negativity and fulfill the purpose He has set for you. [05:03]
Proverbs 29:25 (ESV): "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."
Reflection: Who in your life do you find yourself seeking approval from, and how can you shift your focus to seeking God's approval instead?
Day 3: Stay Committed to Your Mission
Every opportunity comes with opposition, but persistence and focus on God's purpose will see you through. Like Nehemiah, who rebuilt Jerusalem's walls despite ridicule and threats, you must stay committed to your mission. Distractions and negativity can easily derail you, but by keeping your eyes on the goal and trusting in God's guidance, you can overcome any obstacles. Remember that the path to success is not always smooth, but with determination and faith, you can achieve what God has called you to do. [10:29]
Nehemiah 6:3 (ESV): "And I sent messengers to them, saying, 'I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?'"
Reflection: What distractions are currently hindering your progress, and how can you refocus on the mission God has given you?
Day 4: Respond with Grace, Not Retaliation
When faced with criticism, it is easy to react defensively or retaliate. However, responding with grace and leaving judgment to God aligns you with Jesus' example and invites His blessings into your life. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, demonstrating that grace is more powerful than retaliation. By choosing to respond with kindness and understanding, you not only reflect Christ's love but also open the door for God's power to work in your situation. [21:05]
1 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you were criticized. How can you respond with grace and leave the judgment to God?
Day 5: Anchor Yourself in God's Promises
In times of doubt and negativity, finding strength in God's promises is essential. His words are the foundation of your identity and purpose, and what He says about you is what truly matters. By banking His words in your heart, you can stand firm against the challenges and criticisms you face. Trusting in God's promises allows you to see beyond the present difficulties and focus on the greater purpose He has for your life. [24:48]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What specific promise from God do you need to hold onto today, and how can it help you overcome the challenges you are facing?
Quotes
If the axe is dull and its Edge is unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. Now, anytime you come to church, like right now, you're sharpening your axe because I'm going to teach you some skills that will help you succeed in your life. When you're in a Bible study, when you're in a small group, when you take a course, a class, you're never wasting your time when you're sharpening your axe because skill will bring success. [00:48:12]
The naysayers in your life, they're not bad people. They're not bad people. In fact, there are naysayers in your life who love you, and there are naysayers in your life who actually want what's best for you. They're just mistaken, and the reason why they're mistaken and they say it can't be done and you can't do it and all this is because they don't know what God has said to you. God gave you a dream. [02:40:79]
Remember, they are not God. They may be good people, they may love you, they may be great people, but they're not God, and so don't treat their opinion like it's God's opinion. Remember, they are not God, the people who are negative in your life. Proverbs 29 verse 25 says this: the fear of human opinion disables, but trusting in God protects you from that. [05:03:16]
The bigger God gets in your mind, the smaller people's opinion gets in your mind. The bigger people's opinion gets in your mind, the smaller God appears. So the starting point, if you want to be a leader, you got to get a big vision of God because that will shrink all the problems. The bigger God feels in your life, the smaller your problems are. [07:27:56]
Every opportunity comes with opposition. You can count on that one in life. As a leader, you realize that every opportunity comes with opposition. I've never done anything in my life that wasn't opposed by somebody. With every opportunity comes opposition. Opportunity plus opposition equals God's will. So Nehemiah's enemies are trying to do everything they can to stop the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. [10:20:12]
I'm doing a great work. I can't stop to come and meet with you. In other words, why would I allow myself to be distracted? Four times they sent the same message, notice how persistent they are, and each time I gave them the same reply: I'm doing a great work. I don't have time to discuss it with you. Now, I want to warn you that this trap of being distracted is even bigger today because of a thing called the internet. [12:31:88]
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never attack back to a naysayer. Just leave it all in God's hands. Don't be a smart mouth. Don't be sarcastic. Don't retaliate. Now let me show you some verses on this. Let's read Proverbs 11:12 aloud together. Read it with me: it is foolish to speak scornfully of others. Oh, stop right there. It's foolish to speak scornfully of others. [17:31:19]
I am most like Jesus when I stay silent under attack. I am most like Jesus when I stay silent under attack, and I just put it in the hands of God and realize one day it's all going to even out. God's going to settle the score. The truth will come out. All the nasty stuff that's been said about you that's false will be worthless. What will matter is what God said about you. [21:00:44]
Stay focused on God and his promises. Don't focus on the problem. Don't focus on the people. Don't focus on the naysayers. Stay focused on God and his promises. Become a promised person. Learn the promises of the Bible. There's about 7,000 of them in the Bible, promises of God to you. 1st Samuel chapter 30 says this: bitter people spoke against David and talked of stoning him. [22:33:64]
The Lord is for me, so I won't be afraid. What can mortals do to me? You know what? People can dislike you, and it won't harm you. You need to understand this. You don't need anybody else's approval to be happy, and you're probably not going to get it. If you haven't got it by now, you don't need anybody's approval to be happy. You're as happy as you choose to be. [23:31:72]
Show me how much you love me, Lord, and save me according to your promise. Have you been saved? God has a promise to save you. He says save me according to your promise. Then I can answer those who insult me because I trust in your word. Psalm 119:1 says I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart. That's what you need to do instead of banking all the negative things people have said about you. [24:48:48]
What God says about you is what matters, and the other doesn't. Now, David says save me according to your promise. Have you been saved? What is the promise of God? The promise of God is this: Romans 10:13, whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. That's promise. [25:12:44]
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