Dealing With Dangerous Distractions Series

Dealing With Dangerous Distractions

Nehemiah 6:1-19

I. INSINCERE DISCUSSIONS (1-4; 17-18)

A. ‘They thought to do me mischief’ (2)

B. Persistent resistance (4)

C. Behind the scenes correspondence (17-18)

D. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid

arguments, because you know they produce

quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel;

instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach,

not resentful. Those who oppose him he must

gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant

them repentance leading them to a knowledge of

the truth, and that they will come to their senses

and escape from the trap of the devil, who has

taken them captive to do his will.

II Timothy 2:23-26 (NIV)

II. INACCURATE RUMORS (5-9; 19)

A. “He said, she said”

B. The Rumor Mill (19)

C. Of 7 things God hates, 3 relate to the tongue

(See Proverbs 6:16-19) Foremost among these is

“He who sows discord among the brethren”

D. Ignore false rumors (8)

E. Commit the situation to God (9b)

III. INCORRECT "SPIRITUAL" ADVICE (10-14)

A. Not everyone who claims to speak for God does

B. 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try

the spirits whether they are of God: because many

false prophets are gone out into the world”

C. Let God take care of your enemies (14)

THEY COMPLETED THE JOB! (15-16)

1. Their enemies lost

2. The surrounding nations recognized God at work