What Hold's Sway?

During my daily Scripture reading, this verse struck my heart. ❤️

“Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.” - Matthew‬ ‭22:16‬b ‭NIV‬‬

King James Version says, “for thou regardest (blepō) not the person of men.”

blepō means: to turn the eyes to anything

As I have been meditating on this passage, I have been questioning and examining the deep motives of my heart. Not all I have found there has been pretty....

I'm asking these Questions:

• Am I dead enough to my flesh so that people’s opinion of me holds no sway?

• Are my eyes continually captivated by the face of God, or am I glancing at the expressions on people’s faces to seek approval?

• Do I treat all people alike regardless of status, or do I seek favor from those I esteem as holding a higher position?

• Do I boldly speak out and teach the way of God in accordance to the truth despite its unpopularity or when it goes against public opinion?

• Does anything other than God’s opinion hold influence over what I say, think, and do?

Jesus attention was riveted to God alone. He had no regard for any person’s opinion regardless of position or power of influence. Jesus did not turn his eyes, turn his thoughts, or direct His mind to the face of man to be swayed by what they thought, said about him, or did.

Jesus did only what He saw His Father doing regardless of who opposed him. We are commanded to follow Christ’s example.

ABBA Father, Please search and try my heart. Uproot anything in me that is not pleasing to you. Draw my eyes to Your face alone. Help me to die to myself and come alive to You and your opinion only. May man’s opinion hold no sway over my heart. May I follow Jesus' example in all things despite the disapproval and opposition of man. Amen.

“Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God truthfully, without concerning Yourself about [what] anyone [thinks or says of Your teachings]; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone’s favor [and You treat all people alike, regardless of status].” - Matthew ‭22:16b‬ ‭AMP