How to Shut Down Trash Talkers and Triumph
Capazin Thornton
Have you noticed that there are a lot of trash talkers in the world today? By trash talkers I mean people who spout off all sorts of impiety towards God and vitriol towards other people, especially people who love God.
Trash talkers are not new. The Bible records the likes of Goliath, King Sennacharib, and Sanballat who made themselves enemies of God and persecuted His people. The Bible records their words and what happened to shut them down.
The goal of Trash Talkers
The goal of trash talkers is (1) to strike fear in the hearts of God’s people, (2) wear them down through threats and intimidation, and (3) cause their work for God to stop.
An anointed leader and project to rebuild
In 444 B.C., Nehemiah (twice governor of Judea) requests and is granted leave of absence from his role as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem to lead the rebuilding of its walls which were broken down and its gates which had been burned.
Trash Talkers versus God’s anointed
The enemy is deeply disturbed
“When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to ask the well-being of the children of Israel.” Neh 2:10
The enemy laughs and accuses the people of rebellion
After Nehemiah rallied the people to rise up and build, Sanballat and two of his friends laughed at them and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” Neh 2:19
Nehemiah declares God’s favor
Nehemiah answered them and said, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.” Neh 2:20
The enemy flies into a rage and ridicules God’s people
When Sanballat heard that the Jews were building the wall he was so angry he went into a rage. He ridiculed the Jews, calling them feeble. His friend Tobiah said the repairs were so defective that a fox climbing the wall could cause it to crumble. Neh 4:1-3
Nehemiah prayed… and continued
Nehemiah prayed. And, he continued working and built half the wall, because the people had a heart and mind to work. Neh 4:4-6
The enemies became very angry
Now the enemies became very angry when they saw the walls restored and the gaps closed. So they conspired to attack Jerusalem and create confusion. Neh 4:7-8
Nehemiah prayed…and became more vigilant
“We prayed and we sat a watch against them day and night.” Neh 4:9
How to Shut Down Trash Talkers and Triumph
When God’s people began to lose strength, to look at the rubbish and doubt their ability to build, when they heard the adversaries planned to sneak in and kill them, and they feared for the safety of their homes while they were away working, Nehemiah took positive action. He positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall at the openings. He sat families together with swords, spears and bows. Neh 4:10-13
Then Nehemiah arose and said:
- Do not be afraid
- Remember the Lord, great and awesome
- Fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
The enemy did not stop his attacks. In the end, however, the people completely fortified the wall and God was glorified. (Neh 6:15-16)
The forces of evil are always deeply disturbed when you set out to pursue your God-given and anointed purpose. They will put you down. They will falsely accuse you. They will threaten you. They will use fear tactics to try to unnerve you and get you to quit.
What do you do?
- Remember the Lord, great and awesome! Praise Him. Praising God will strengthen you and cause the enemy to sit down and shut up. (Ps 8:2)
- Stay focused, in unity, and in faith. Keep on praying and fighting in the spirit for your families, your church, city, nation; and
- Keep building and complete the work God has given you.
In the end, you will stand triumphant!
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Are you pursuing your vision despite the opposition? Please post comments.
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Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher and author in Orange County, California.
2 Responses
This was such a wonderful word in season!! I have already sent this to many of my friends throughout the country because we must be so careful of our words we speak and also the words we listen to each day.
Thank you Capazin for reminding us to be careful of those words we hear and speak. We must always test each one of them by His Spirit of the Lord!!
Thank you, Janice. All Scripture is God-breathed and can profit us. I love the gleanings God gives into the faith and tenacity of Old Covenant saints like Nehemiah. He knew how to cast down the enemy’s words. He knew how to pray, encourage himself and others in the greatness of God, stay focused, and finish the mission. May this generation of believers do likewise.