Dragging Others Down

 Our attitude has an effect on those around us. We can either lift people up, or we will drag them down by how we act or react in certain situations. If we are uncertain of ourselves, we can make others doubt themselves, too. If we are very optimistic, that will rub off on those around us. This is especially true when we are in a group of people. One or two people can make a difference in how the whole group acts.

God gave Israel rules to follow when the army went to war. (Deuteronomy 20:8) The officers were to speak to the troops and say that if anyone was fearful or fainthearted, he should go back to his house, lest the hearts of his fellow soldiers should be faint like his. God knew that we don't need anything to bring us down when we are having to fight an enemy as a group.

When I read this, I think of the church as God's army. We are in a spiritual war with Satan and his forces. We can beat them every time, if we stand together, and we trust in the Lord and His armor. However, many times we do not win the battles, because we are fearful of fighting. We feel inadequate, even though we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. When this happens, we are fainthearted, and we lose.

I pray that I never have that fear and drag down my brothers and sisters in the church. I don't ever want to be a detriment to the church, as we march against the devil. I pray we will all be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, so that we have confidence in the Lord. I pray that our confidence will influence others to trust the Lord and be victorious, too. Then, the whole church will be lifted up to fight well together.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 21-25.