Speak No Words of Unbelief

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

Speak No Words of Unbelief

Today's Text: We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Numbers 13:27

The Message:      Thus far [the spies'] words had been spoken in faith; but see what followed. After describing the beauty and fertility of the land, all but two of the spies enlarged upon the difficulties and dangers that lay before the Israelites should they undertake the conquest of Canaan....      Their unbelief cast a gloomy shadow over the congregation. A wail of agony arose and mingled with the confused murmur of voices. Caleb comprehended the situation and did all in his power to counteract the evil influence of his unfaithful associates. He did not contradict what had been said. The walls were high and the Canaanites strong. But God had promised the land to Israel.      "Let us go up at once, and possess it," urged Caleb, "for we are well able to overcome it." But the ten, interrupting him, pictured the obstacles in darker colors than at first. "We be not able to go up against the people," they declared, "for they are stronger than we.... And all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."      It is right that human beings should be considered as grasshoppers when compared with the Lord God of Israel. But it showed a lack of faith for the spies to speak of the Israelites thus in comparison with the people they had seen in Canaan. The children of Israel had on their side the mighty powers of heaven. The One who, enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, had led them through the wilderness was fighting for them. They had seen His power displayed at the Red Sea, when at His word the waters parted, leaving a plain path for them through the sea. Nevertheless, when the spies saw the walled cities in the Promised Land, they allowed unbelief to enter their hearts, and they returned to the congregation with a faithless report....      This shows us to what desperation unbelief will bring people. My brethren and sisters, when thoughts of unbelief and distrust come to you, remember that silence is eloquence. Speak no words of unbelief, for such words are as seeds that will spring up and bear fruit. There is among us altogether too much talking and too little praying. We think and speak of the difficulties that exist, and forget to trust the Lord. God's Spirit would work mightily in behalf of His people if we would give Him opportunity.-Manuscript 10, 1903.

Commentary: My friend, it is Satan's aim to separate us from our faith in God.  One of his most effective methods of doing this is to lead one to speak words of disbelief, that their influence will lead another and yet another to loose faith.  Satan uses mind upon mind to influence a great multitude.  Whenever we express disbelief in the promises of God, we become agents of Satan, emulating his thoughts and bringing them to bear upon others by the words and attitudes that we express. This is the method he used in the Garden of Eden, and is the same method that he uses today.  The question that we need to ask ourselves is will we cooperate with him in this work of discouragement and unbelief?, or will we take hold of the promises of God and like Caleb and Joshua, give a good report to the people. My friend, the only way that we can stand firm for God in the last days is if we have a living, growing relationship with the One true God through His Son Jesus Christ.  This is only possible if we spend time with Him in prayer and the searching of Him in the Scriptures.  Those who neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures will be overcome by Satan. May you spend time with Jesus in prayer and the study of His word today. God bless,

Video of the Week Who or What is the Holy Spirit? New Gods - Nader Mansour New gods is a presentation that addresses the identity of God the Holy Spirit. Nader Mansour shares the biblical foundation as well as other historical examples that shed light on this question. It also deals with the question of "why is it important?". What does the Bible say about new gods? Have you accepted a new god? How many are ignorantly worshipping a new god? You will not want to miss this presentation! Are you an SDA who has fallen for the trinity? You have not fallen too far, there is hope yet! Presented at the Wenatchee 2013 Camp Meeting, USA.