LEARNING DAILY

 

Gideon 6:27, So Gideon took ten men from among his servants and did as the Lord had said to him. But because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.

 

John 3:2, This man (Nicodemus) came to Jesus by night ….

 

Do you see the common thought between these two verses of Scripture? Both Gideon and Nicodemus were so concerned about what others thought that they did what they needed to do at night so they could not be seen. I would venture to believe that fear of what others think prevents each of us from doing what the Lord desires from us. I would also throw out a thought that too many of us are so concerned about what others think that we act or speak to please them instead of doing the right things. Does that make sense?

 

Both of the Bible characters did what they did so they would not be seen. Gideon was being obedient to what the Lord had told him to do; night obedience is certainly better than no obedience! Nicodemus desired to know more about Jesus, to talk to Him but was afraid for anyone to see him doing so. After all, he was a member of the Sanhedrin, an important person.

 

What does this mean for you and me today? I find our desire to be “liked” and “accepted” to be a major force in how we dress, the importance in how we look, our need to fit in with a group, and for our willingness to just be honest with ourselves and with others. We spend a lot of time trying to fit in, to be what we think others want us to be. Be careful! A trap can be set when this causes us to desire to be more concerned about what others think than what Jesus thinks.  Everything we do must always be brought in line with God’s Word.

 

We can also get out of balance when we decide we are going to do what we want to do and not worry about what others think about it – especially when “our want to do” is contrary to God’s will or godly council. There have been times when my wants have become so strong that I have begun to believe they were God’s plan. After waiting and searching without anything happening, the reality set in that my wants were not God’s will at all. I had not received godly council and my own wants had led me astray.

 

Here is what I have seen over many years. We fear what others think about us. It enters into too many of our decisions. It keeps us from witnessing about God’s love for us and others and what He has done for us. It keeps us from being honest or straightforward with others, especially with those we love. We certainly prosper when we get along with others, but we need to think and act independently at the same time. I associate best with those who are like-minded and accept me for who I am; I trust them. I can ask them what is going on when I think they are not accepting of what I am doing or saying. I can take chances with them, expressing my thoughts and asking questions. I need to do better with that – no longer allowing fear of what others think of me to get in the way saying and doing what Jesus desires from me.