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I Samuel 15:19 and 24 provide us with real insight into an area of anxiety for many people. One that may control your life today. This is Samuel talking to Saul, Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?
Saul gives his answer in verse 24, Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.".
Hmmm! "I feared the people and obeyed their voice." Saul confessed that he was worried about what other people thought of him and what other people would say about him. As a result, he made a horrible decision that was counter to what God wanted.
Too many people, even good Christians, are eaten up with worry over what other people think and say about them. Let me tell you, the worst place to have your peace is in somebody else's head. As Proverbs 29:25 says, The fear of man brings a snare. Saul is a perfect example. He never fulfilled his destiny, he never fulfilled his purpose in life, because he was too worried about what people thought about him even though God chose him to be king.
The apostle Paul's job was to oversee the churches that God had used him to establish, and in this verse he is confessing, "I daily have to battle with worry over these churches. How are they doing? Are they being misled by false prophets? Are they staying true to good doctrine?" He was dealing with worry about those churches. Every day he grappled with that worry, and he had to throw it down.
Someone wisely said this: It is not what I think I am that molds me and drives me, and it is not what you think I am that molds me and drives me. It is what I think that you think I am that molds me and drives me.
Is that your concern today? If so, let me give you some advice: Be yourself. You were created by God as an original, and it would be a shame if you died a copy.
By Bayless Conley
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