Suspicion

Suspicion

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” 1 Chron. 28:9.

If Solomon had feared God with all of his heart, he would not have had to be afraid of anything or take a chance on anything, and he would not have had any reason to be suspicious. But when Solomon began to be half-hearted, the situation changed for him. He had a wise servant by the name of Jeroboam whom he appointed him to oversee all his work. One day the prophet Ahijah met Jeroboam alone and spoke the word of the Lord to him, saying that because Solomon had forsaken God, He would divide his kingdom and give him the ten tribes. And if Jeroboam listened to everything God commanded him and would walk on His ways as His servant David had done, He would build him a house just as He did for David. Then Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, but he fled to Egypt. 1 Kings 11:28, ff.

Solomon hated Jeroboam. That was the same as if he had hated God. He should have judged himself instead. If he had not departed from God, he would have had no reason to be afraid of Jeroboam. Now Solomon sensed that the ground was giving way under him, and he became suspicious as a result.

We would think that Jeroboam would have learned from this, but he didn’t. After he had become king and saw that the tribes went up to Jerusalem, he was afraid that he would not be able keep his kingdom. Instead of relying on God who had given him the promise, he turned to sin, and it went badly with him.

Joseph was faithful to God with all of his heart. He had to endure much, but he relied on God and was not afraid, and everything turned out well. But after Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers were afraid that he would avenge himself. They had no reason to think that at all because Joseph had never thought to avenge himself, but their own sin produced fear and suspicion.

On the basis of all this we understand Peter’s words: “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” 1 Pet. 3:13. Therefore, if you serve God wholeheartedly, you will have no reason to be afraid, because God will make everything turn out for the best. Consequently, instead of being afraid and suspicious, you need to judge yourself and repent.

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have taken no bread.’ But when Jesus perceived it, He said to them, ‘O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’ Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matt. 16:6-12.

When you have neglected to do something, or if you have done something badly and it has not come into the light, it will be like the scene of a crime; your thoughts will keep going back to it. This is the cause of misunderstandings, suspicions, and much evil. But everything will be good once it comes to light. Only then will you get the right understanding.

The disciples had neglected to take bread along. When Jesus spoke to them, their thoughts circled around bread—about something they had neglected to do—and they misunderstood everything Jesus said to them. But when Jesus brought their thoughts to the light so that they could be set free from the mistake they had made they understood what He meant.

People have many such “crime scenes” in their life—many things that are in darkness. No wonder it is so difficult to comprehend the truth. No wonder they are so suspicious. Therefore purify yourself; bring all of your life into the light, and put your trust in God. Then you will be saved from all your worries and malice. Only then will you understand everything in the right way.

The cause for a person’s suspicion is not the other person’s sin, but his own sin. A suspicious person has much self-life to defend.