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
