by Rose Murdock

In John 11 we read about Lazarus who was sick.  Word came to Jesus that he was sick.  When Jesus heard the news He replied that the sickness was not unto death but for the glory of God and then He stayed where He was for two more days.

The disciples thought they weren’t going.  They saw that someone came and told Jesus the news, Jesus spoke something and in the disciples minds that was it.  They were staying where they were.

6. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?"  John 11:6-8

In the disciple’s minds the subject was over and had been for two days.  They were surprised that He wanted to go now because the last time He was there they wanted to stone Him. The disciples would have accepted Jesus not going for fear of being stoned. They understood that.

But Jesus did not wait to go because He was fearful of being stoned.  The temptation may have been there to be afraid but He would have dealt with that fear by assuring Himself of God’s protection.  You can be sure that during the two days that Jesus waited, He was seeking the Father.  He could have rushed off hastily without seeking the Father either out of anger, (towards the devil for bringing this upon Lazarus), or worry and concern for what would happen to Lazarus.  But Jesus didn’t react in any of those ways.

During those two days, not only did Jesus have to resist the urge to rush off and go, but He may have had to deal with the rising doubts and speculations of those around Him wondering why He wasn’t going.  Some may have said it was because He was afraid of being stoned.  They may have began to question Jesus’ faith in God’s power to protect Him.  They may have accused Him of not really loving Lazarus after all.  This may have stirred doubts about Him in those around Him.  Jesus would know all this.  And He would have to resist the temptation to prove Himself.  To prove He was not afraid, to prove His love, by rushing off to go to Lazarus.

Jesus didn’t want to respond out of any human emotion, whether it was fear, anger, or pride.  He didn’t react to those around Him by trying to prove Himself.  He waited to respond to what the Father would speak to Him.  Jesus said in John 8:29 that He always did those things that pleased the Father.

Many times the opinions of those around us can put pressure on us to react or behave in a way contrary to the Word of the Father.  We may successfully overcome the first temptation to fear or doubt God but then we have to deal with the opinions of those around us which, because of their rising doubts and speculations, may cause us to react too hastily and try and prove ourselves or prove God.  It takes discipline and the fruit of self-control to be able to tune out the pressures around us and listen to the Father.

If we are being accused of something that is not true this temptation to ‘prove ourselves’ may be especially strong.  The devil is famous for bringing opinions to you to try and get a reaction out of you, right during the middle of when you’re seeking God for guidance and direction.  He wants you to react hastily out of an emotion or a desire to prove yourself, rather than following the leading of the Lord.

Jesus did not have to prove He wasn’t afraid.  He didn’t have to prove His love for Lazarus by rushing off hastily.  But He knew He had to seek the Father and remain in the Father’s will so that His protection would be there.  He had to seek God for guidance as to how to bring healing to Lazarus.  He knew healing would come.  That was the first thing He said when He heard the news of his illness.  But He had to seek the Father for how He wanted Him to carry it out.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."  Romans 8:14

In all that we do, in the decisions we make, we need to follow the Spirit of God.  We can’t trust our emotions to lead us.  We can’t allow the pressures that come to us as a result of the opinions of those around us to cause us to react hastily.  We may pat ourselves on the back and think we are doing well because we have successfully resisted fear of what will happen to us and doubt of God’s Word.  But then when it’s time to listen to the Father for guidance and timing we can still mess up if we yield to emotions or opinions of others that are not from the Spirit of God.

"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." Proverbs 18:13

We learn from this verse in Proverbs that it is foolish to reply or respond to a situation before hearing all the facts.  Well, the facts of a situation include what God’s Word has to say about it!  The facts include how the Spirit of God wants us to respond.  So until we include the Word of God and the leading of His Spirit we have not heard all the facts.  Did you notice that as soon as Jesus heard the facts about Lazarus’ sickness He responded with His own fact, "This sickness is not unto death,…"  And He did not react until He was sure it was the Father’s leading.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you can’t ever seek godly counsel from people.  Proverbs 11:14 tells us that in the multitude of counselors there is safety.  But you want to be sure that it’s godly counsel.  Whatever counsel you receive you need to be sure all the facts are considered, including what the Word of God and the Spirit of God have to say.  And it’s important to remember that counsel from others doesn’t excuse us from seeking God’s will for ourselves.  Ultimately, we still make the final decision in matters concerning our own lives.

What situations are facing you today that are demanding a reaction out of you?  Whatever they are, be sure to include the Word of God and the leading of His Spirit when determining how you will react.  If you seek counsel from others, be sure their opinions line up with the Word and the Spirit of God.  Don’t give in to the pressures of fear and doubt.  But don’t give in to the pressures of pride or trying to prove yourself either.  God will not let you down.  And even if it looks like it’s the worst-case scenario—Lazarus has died—God is still able to bring life to any situation—a solution—even when it looks impossible!

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