"Others Believe What You Believe About Yourself"

Numbers 13.33 NASU

“There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

The spies who were sent into the Promised Land misunderstood the limits of their responsibilities. They were to “spy out the land of Canaan” and report back to Moses what they discovered. Twelve men investigated the land of promise and forty days later fully admitted to Moses, “We went to the land you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey” (Numbers 13.27). 

They also saw giants and some were afraid. Ten of the twelve spies stirred up the congregation and the spread panic. The people reacted: “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt” (Numbers 14.4).

Caleb, one of the faithful spies, tried to quell the rebellion with words of faith…

“Do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be

our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us.”

Numbers 14.9

But it was too late. An entire generation of Israelites allowed fear to swamp their faith. Fear began in the minds of the spies who believed a lie about themselves and transmitted the lie to everyone, including their enemies.

“…we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

Self-appraisal is easily transmitted. You cannot hide it. Somehow what you believe about yourself seeps out to those around you. Your belief about self eventually becomes the belief others hold about you. People take their cue from you. If you believe you are a grasshopper, so will they.

Caleb had “a different spirit,” (Numbers 14.24). He claimed, “The Lord is with us.” If you believe that, others will too.