The Lord just may be speaking through His prophetic voices so that we can be victorious through all of our battles.
In a recent message, Bible teacher Perry Stone shared what he described as a “now word” from the Lord—a timely insight rooted in the story of Nehemiah that speaks directly to today’s spiritual climate.
Stone began by pointing to the town of Ono, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 8:12, a name that literally appears as “o-n-o” in Scripture. While the name itself signifies a “strong place,” its use in Nehemiah 6 becomes symbolic of something much different: a place of distraction designed to pull God’s people away from their divine assignment.
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Drawing from Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls after the Babylonian captivity, Stone reminded viewers of the opposition faced by Nehemiah and Ezra. “Three men rose up against Ezra and against Nehemiah,” Stone said, referencing Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem the Arabian. “They started out by mocking him… then by threatening them. And the threats and the mocking became what is called a distraction.”
The enemies invited Nehemiah to meet in the valley of Ono. But Nehemiah, discerning their intent to harm and derail the work, refused. “I’m doing a great work so that I cannot come down,” Nehemiah responded, as quoted in Nehemiah 6:3. Stone noted the power of this reply, saying Nehemiah understood the danger of “lowering himself to their level of attack and mocking.”
Stone applied this principle to modern believers, warning them against the lure of unnecessary conflict, especially in the age of social media. “There are too many voices coming from all directions,” he said. “The enemy uses people’s voice… to get you out of focus.”
He cautioned Christians against engaging in debates and arguments that only serve to derail their calling. “We do not come off of the wall of ministry. We do not come off of the position of the authority of the Holy Spirit to lower ourselves… to argue and debate people over things that absolutely are total nonsense.”
In a world filled with distractions, Perry Stone’s message serves as a vital reminder to stay focused on the work God has called us to. Just as Nehemiah faced opposition meant to derail his mission, we too encounter voices and challenges designed to pull us away from our purpose.
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Our calling is too significant, and the work too urgent, to let anything or anyone draw us down into meaningless battles. By staying true to our God-given assignment and keeping our focus on the eternal, we can fulfill the purpose for which we were created, bringing glory to God and advancing His kingdom.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
