Dem Say, Dem Say

Dem Say, Dem Say

"How can we go up? We're trapped in a dead end. Our brothers took all the wind out of our sails, telling us, 'The people are bigger and stronger than we are; their cities are huge, their defenses massive—we even saw Anakite giants there!'" (Deut. 1:28)

There is power in what people say—and if we’re not careful, hearsay can shape our outlook more than truth itself. On one side, word of mouth can be the strongest form of promotion; on the other side, it can be a deadly weapon of discouragement. Proverbs reminds us that “life and death are in the power of the tongue.”

Words carry weight, especially when spoken by people in positions of trust or authority. This was exactly the case in our passage. Twelve men went to spy the land, but ten returned with a negative report. Their words crushed the spirit of the people. Instead of asking “How can we?” with faith to seek a solution, Israel asked it with doubt that paralyzed them.

Notice their complaint: “Our brothers took all the wind out of our sails.” How? Simply by speaking. By painting a picture of impossibility, they sowed fear and unbelief. This is the danger of “dem say, dem say.” When we let what others say define our reality, we risk missing what God has already promised.

That’s why Jesus warns: “Consider carefully what you hear” (Mark 4:24, NIV). Don’t let negative reports occupy your mind. Fix your heart instead on what God has said. Keep His word before your eyes, meditate on it day and night, and let His truth drown out the noise.

If God says you can, then you must believe you can—no matter what “dem say.”

Have a fruitful day,
(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift) 

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