Acts 19:9
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
It did not matter what the Apostle Paul said or did; there was a crowd that spoke evil and negative about everything he did or said. They spoke evil and negative about him because they despised him for exposing their erroneous lives and ways. They spoke evil of Paul because he threatened their power, and the only way they could destroy what he said and did was to speak negative and evil about him.
We live in times when there are a plethora of negative talkers. The news and talk radio are inundated with negative talkers. In the political world, you will always find the negative talkers who speak evil or negatively about the other side’s ideas or plans. It doesn't matter if the other side has a good idea or even did a good thing, because they are the other side, they choose to be negative about what the other side says or does.
Sadly, this negative talking has passed over to the church. In every church, there are people whose first response is negative about anything the pastor plans to do. Even though this negative crowd may like their pastor, they are prone to negative speaking because they are not doing much themselves. Most negative talking about people or ideas is negative because people are trying to justify their lack of productivity for Christ. They have no other way to justify not producing, so the only thing they can do is to tear down the one who is actually doing something for Christ. My friend, negative talkers are a cancer to the church and to the cause of reaching the lost for Christ. Let me share a few cautions about being a negative talker.
First, your negativity is not about ideas; it is about you justifying not being a part of the idea. I have learned that most negativity ceases when we are not concerned about who gets the credit. Let me remind you that we are on the same team, and to be consistently negative only harms your testimony and keeps those who are trying to do something from wanting to include you in the planning or work being done.
Second, negativity wears down those who are trying to build and do something for God. The weariness of constant negativity will one day destroy what you like about those who are trying do something for God. You likely enjoy being a part of a place that is productive for God, but if you are constantly negative with your responses or ideas, you will one day find nobody wanting to tell you anything that is going on. Negative talking is an anchor to the spirit of the one who is trying to do something for God. If you don't want to wear out those who are trying to do something great for God, you need to withhold your negativity.
Third, negativity is a choice just like being positive is. You choose whether you are negative or positive. Whether or not you intend to be negative, you must watch what you say so that it does not come across as negative. Always listen to how you say something and what you say to be sure that it is not coming across negatively. Likewise, be careful about not always giving an opposing idea to something that is told to you. You will find that your ideas will be heeded if you are rarely the one who points out the negative.
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