“Where can we go? Our brothers have demoralized us with their report. They tell us, ‘The people of the land are taller and more powerful than we are, and their towns are large, with walls rising high into the sky! We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!’”
Deuteronomy 1:28
Ever been around a person who, the longer they talk, the more discouraged you feel? Perhaps they are one who sees a cup half empty, while another sees the same cup half full.
That seems to have been the case with the twelve spies. They all saw the same land, same people, and same cities. However, ten of them reported taller, more powerful giants in large cities with fortified walls. The other two reported the giants were helpless prey “…because the LORD is with us.” However, instead of that hope spreading, the fear of the ten multiplied, until the whole community was so demoralized by their own brothers that before nightfall they all rebelled.
Brothers, trusted members of the family…no wonder their report was devastating. It makes me wonder how my reports affect my family. Like the two spies, I see giants all around me, but I know my physical eyes cannot see the full reality! However, if I open my heart to see from GOD’s view, my mouth will begin to report hope…HE is bigger! From the abundance of my God-centered heart, good reports will automatically flow.
Spreading fear-filled reports can be devastating: the ten spies not only died because of the rebellion their fear sparked, but they also sent their own families to the wilderness to wander for thirty-eight more years!
So, let us beware of how we report!
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