The Power of a Proper Perspective | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, March 17
Introduction
The message, 'The Power of a Proper Perspective' by Jentezen Franklin serves as a reminder: it's crucial not to let potential obstacles cloud your recognition of God's ability to assist and His steadfast promise to lead you.
In Numbers 13, the majority focused on fear, and this threatened to overshadow God’s promises in their lives. Notably, ten of the spies viewed the challenges as so formidable that they felt diminished to the size of grasshoppers in comparison.
In the message, Pastor Jentezen challenged us that there are two types of mindsets when entering the Promised Land, grape-tasters and grasshoppers as illustrated in Numbers 13:33. The Promised Land doesn’t represent heaven, but a type of victory. And as you enter the place of victory and dreams, you must have the proper perspective because there will be giants in the way!
Furthermore, Pastor Jentezen highlighted that as God's people ventured into the Promised Land, He had three desires for them: to envision their destination, savor the plentiful grapes as a symbol of the land's abundance, and to challenge their own perceptions.
- Give the group a quick recap of Sunday’s message. What do you remember from the message?
- How did Sunday’s message challenge you?
Let’s explore those points through discussion and a closer look at Scripture.
Big Giants, Bigger Vision
Numbers 13 narrates the story of twelve spies sent by Moses to scout Canaan, a journey spanning 220 miles. Through Moses, God reminded the Israelites that the promised land was abundant and fertile and theirs to possess. The objective in spying out the land was to evaluate the land and gauge its residents. God’s promised land was within their grasp!
Numbers 13:1-3a, 23-25, NIV
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.” 3 So at the LORD’s command Moses sent them out…
23 When they reached the Valley of Eshkol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
Upon returning to Moses and the Israelite community, the spies confirmed that the land truly was as bountiful as flowing with milk and honey (Numbers 13:27). However, the majority of them expressed that the challenges encountered were insurmountable, highlighting the challenges of giants and fortified cities.
Numbers 13:32 NIV
And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
God let the people of Israel bring the grapes back from Canaan to give them a picture of what they could have. Simply put, God wanted them to get a vision of where they were going as a people.
- If the Israelites had embraced a positive perspective on the spies' findings, what potential benefits might have arisen from their exploration of the land?
- Reflect on a time when you faced a "giant" in your pursuit of a dream or goal. How did your perspective influence the outcome?
The original objective of scouting the land was to strengthen the Israelites' faith in God's promise, a goal that, unfortunately, most of the spies failed to achieve.
Tasty grapes!
Like a free sample at the mall, God wants you to have a taste of the promise so you will come in and have the whole thing. While everyone else was talking about how big the giants were, Joshua and Caleb talked about how big the grapes were! You are not called to be a grasshopper; you are called to be a grape-taster.
Let’s discuss the spies' differing reports in these two passages:
Numbers 13:27 NIV
They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.
Numbers 13:31-32 NIV
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
- Why do you think the majority focused on the giants and fortified cities instead of the land's abundance? How does this reflect in our personal journey with God?
- Were the spies allowing their fear of the giants and fortified cities to bring them to a place of disobedience to the Lord?
Let’s define grape-tasters and grasshoppers:
| Grasshopper | Grape-taster |
|---|
| Sees themselves as small and insignificant in the face of obstacles | Emphasize the positives and the rewards that come from overcoming obstacles |
| Like the 10 spies, focuses on the size and strength of the challenges ahead, which leads to them feeling powerless in comparison | Like Joshua and Caleb, see the Promised Land's abundance and fertility, which leads them to further trust in God's promise and provision |
| Focuses on difficulties and barriers rather than the opportunities they present | Focuses on the opportunity and reward rather than the obstacles |
| Leads to a defeatist attitude and the potential to miss out on the fulfillment of one's dreams and God's plan | Maintains faith in God's promise despite the presence of giants and presses on towards their dreams and God’s plan |
In essence, the distinction between a grape-taster and a grasshopper is one of perspective: grape-tasters approach the Promised Land (or any life challenge) with faith, optimism, and a readiness to embrace God's abundance, whereas grasshoppers allow the fear of obstacles to prevent them from seizing the opportunities God has prepared for them.
- In what areas of your life do you identify more as a grape-taster?
- Where do you feel more like a grasshopper?
Sometimes giants show up when you are at the doorstep of the Promised Land. You’re not called to a grasshopper mentality, but a grape taster mentality.
The giants are huge.” “Yeah, but the grapes are huge!” “The devil is so bad.” “Yes, but my God is so good!”
Perception Test
Next let’s talk about comparison. Falling into the comparison trap not only distorts our self-image but also clouds our ability to recognize the unique gifts and paths God has laid out for us.
- Can you recall a recent instance where you found yourself comparing your life to someone else’s? How did it affect your feelings and actions?
It's easy to measure our lives against others' but this can have a negative impact on our spiritual and emotional well-being. By speaking and thinking like victors, not victims, and by placing our trust in God's plan and strength, we harness the profound power of our words and thoughts. These can shape our reality and our relationship with God and affect others, too.
Pastor Jentezen shared that self-perception is contagious. What will you pass down to your family, your children, etc.? Will they be grasshoppers or grape tasters? Remember, a grasshopper mentality represents a viewpoint that focuses on obstacles and limitations, whereas grape tasters see the abundance and opportunities for victory.
- What specific areas in your lives do you need God’s strength to overcome feelings of inadequacy or fear?
- What does it mean to you to speak and think like a victor in Christ? How can we cultivate a habit of trusting in God’s plan and strength, especially in tough times?
Closing Reflection
As we conclude, reflect on the land of dreams God has promised you. Are you facing giants that seem insurmountable? Remember, the size of your giants is a reflection of the size of your vision. God invites us to be grape-tasters, to envision our victories, and to trust in His guidance and strength to overcome the obstacles in our path.
Sharing Insights
Has there been a scripture or a spiritual insight that helped you combat comparison and embrace your unique journey in Christ? Share with the group.
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. - Psalm 27:13 NIV
Prayer
Let's pray together for the courage to face our giants, the faith to taste our grapes, and the vision to see beyond our challenges into the promised land God has for each of us. Let’s pray from a posture of victory and of courage and faith.
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