The Power of Negative Thinking

Numbers 14:5-9

INTRODUCTION: In case you were not aware, there is a great debate concerning the powers of positive and negative thinking. Of late, the positivity of negative thinking has overtaken the ranks of Bible-believing Christianity. While we may boast of this trait, the Lord may think otherwise.

I. NEGATIVITY INCREASES NEGATIVITY

A. The Call of Moses (Exodus 3:10-22; Exodus 4:1-17)

1. The Lord’s call (Exodus 3:10)
2. Moses’ initial response (Exodus 3:11-12)
3. Moses’ second response (Exodus 3:13-22)
4. Moses’ third response (Exodus 4:1-9)
5. Moses’ fourth response (Exodus 4:10-12)
6. Moses’ fifth response (Exodus 4:13-17)

B. The Journey Thus Far

1. Negativity at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-12)
2. Negativity entering the wilderness (Exodus 16:1-3)
3. Negativity concerning the water to drink (Exodus 17:1-3)
4. Negativity concerning Moses’ time with the Lord (Exodus 32:1-6)
5. Negativity concerning foot to eat (Numbers 11:1-15)
6. Negativity concerning Moses (Numbers 12:1-16)

C. The Need for Spies

1. The Lord brought Israel to the land to take them in.
2. The people came up with the idea of sending in spies (Deuteronomy 1:19-24).
3. The Lord allowed the plan to go forward (Numbers 13:1-3).
4. The negativity up to this point had to put doubt in the minds of the people.

II. NEGATIVITY HINDERS PRODUCTIVITY

A. The Job of the Spies (Numbers 13:17-25)

1. The job given (Numbers 13:17-20)
a. See the land (Numbers 13:18, 19, 20)
b. See the people (Numbers 13:18)
c. See the cities (Numbers 13:19)
d. Bring the fruit (Numbers 13:20)
2. The job accomplished (Numbers 13:21-25)

B. The Report of the Spies (Numbers 13:26-33)

1. The affirmation of God’s promise (Numbers 13:26-27)
2. The plant for negativity (Numbers 13:28-29)
3. The plea for positivity (Numbers 13:30)
4. The push for negativity (Numbers 13:31-33)

C. The Effect of the Spies (Numbers 14:1-45)

1. The unusual behaviour of the people (Numbers 14:1-4)
a. The people wept (Numbers 14:1); Why? Nothing has changed since God told the people to go into the land.
b. The people wished they’d died (Numbers 14:2).
c. The people desired to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:3-4).
2. The last effort for positivity (Numbers 14:5-10)
3. The anger of the Lord (Numbers 14:11-12, 20-23, 27-35)
4. People died (Numbers 14:36-37, 40-45)

III. NEGATIVITY EXCLUDES NOTORIETY

A. The Forgotten Spies (Numbers 13:4-15)

1. Shammua (Numbers 13:4)
2. Shaphat (Numbers 13:5)
3. Igal (Numbers 13:7)
4. Palti (Numbers 13:9)
5. Gaddiel (Numbers 13:10)
6. Gaddi (Numbers 13:11)
7. Ammiel (Numbers 13:12)
8. Sethur (Numbers 13:13)
9. Nahbi (Numbers 13:14)
10. Geuel (Numbers 13:15)

B. The Remembered Spies

1. Caleb (Numbers 13:6); Note: Since 1880, records indicate that 231,136 U.S. boys have been named Caleb.
2. Joshua or Oshea (Numbers 13:8); Note: Since 1880, records indicate that 1,149,416 U.S. boys have been named Joshua.

CONCLUSION: Up to this point, we have worded things as the world would – as we would. We should, however, word things as God did. He said of Caleb, “he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully” (Numbers 14:24). God said of Joshua that he was “a man in whom is the spirit” (Numbers 27:18) and that he too “wholly followed the LORD” (Numbers 32:12). Of the others, the Lord suggested they had “an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).