In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
False Narratives
The man Sanballat lived in the land of Israel while other Israelites were in captivity. When Nehemiah came back to re-build the walls of Jerusalem, Sanballat, and his friends, saw that has a possible loss of their power. Therefore, while Nehemiah was building the wall, Sanballat was attempting to dissuade them with in a number of ways. In the above approach, Sanballat builds a false narrative that he knows won’t get past Nehemiah, but he also knows many people will believe it and join him in his angst against Nehemiah’s work. This is a common approach to the world around us. They love to create false narratives to convince and ignorant world of their way of doing things; for the purpose of staying in power. False narratives are contrary to God because God is the God of truth. It is easy for us to create a false narrative in our minds and live that narrative out, repeatedly. We often hear the tape of the false narrative play over and over again in our heads and we, eventually, treat it as truth. This is why Paul told the believers in Rome to renew their minds with the truth of God’s Word:
Romans 12:2 (ESV Strong's)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
We can’t know God’s perfect will when we have an old mindset based upon false narratives. Satan is the father of lies and tries to create false narratives for us:
John 8:44 (ESV Strong's)
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
If we want to finish the work God gave us to do we have to avoid and reject false narratives and believe truth. Here is what happens when we think about truthful things vs false narratives. We have peace:
Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV Strong's)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
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