Nehemiah 6:1-3 (NLT) Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. 2 So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, 3 so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”

• The enemy is an expert at distracting leaders. Satan’s goal is to engage you in conversation (Eve with the serpent)

YOUR REPLY IS KEY TO VICTORY: What have you been replying?

“I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet you?”

Question: Who was Nehemiah “working” for?

Answer: God! Work unto the Lord

Colossians 3:23 (NLT) Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Question: So what does the enemy want to prevent you from doing?

Answer: The work of God. That’s all he cares about.

REMAIN IN AWARENESS: NEHEMIAH WAS AWARE

• Nehemiah was aware, it says he “realized” in this Nehemiah shows us as leaders how to stay focused on the mission under warfare, you must realize and then you must have the right response.

Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT): “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

Nehemiah 6:4-9 (NLT) Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. 5 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, 6 and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. 7 He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’ “You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.” 8 I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.” 9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.

NEHEMIAH STOOD FIRM AND WAS AWARE OF THE WARFARE:

• Nehemiah stood firm and was aware of the warfare They came even a 5th time. Nehemiah didn’t fold to the pressure of warfare, he was ahead of it, he knew what it was and he knew who His God was and he knew he was on a God assignment. He sensed warfare!

A. Bait to defend yourself:

• “There is a rumor” – Nehemiah 6:5

B. The threat:

• “This report will get back to the king” – Nehemiah 6:7

C. The response:

• “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.” – Nehemiah 6:8
• Both Nehemiah and Jesus responded to the enemy with authority, refusing to be manipulated by lies.

Matthew 4:10 (NLT):“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

• Truth and lies don’t mix, if you want to get the lies out, come with truth!
• “They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued to work with even greater determination. – Nehemiah 6:9
• Note: You see the leadership maturity in Nehemiah with how he responds to all this warfare.

WHEN YOU THINK IT’S OVER… IT’S NOT

• Don’t get comfortable after a victory, stay alert and on guard, don’t rest during a time of war.
• Note: David fell with Bathsheba because not only was he lustful but he was resting during a time of war; out of position.

Nehemiah 6:10-13 (NLT) Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”11 But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” 12 I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.

• Don’t be intimidated! Respond with authority!! You can get through this battle you are in!

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT): “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Philippians 4:13 (NLT): “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

• Key Takeaway: Leading through opposition will require courage, wisdom, and reliance on God’s strength.

Nehemiah 6:15-16 (NLT): “So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

• Key Takeaway: Trust God for results and give Him the glory for your success. Confidence in Him inspires the team and silences critics.
• Note: This framework blends biblical principles with timeless leadership wisdom, equipping leaders to grow and inspire others.

THE FIGHT CONTINUES – STAY BATTLE READY

• And Tobiah kept sending threatening letters to intimidate me.

Nehemiah 6:19 (NLT) They kept telling me about Tobiah’s good deeds, and then they told him everything I said. And Tobiah kept sending threatening letters to intimidate me.