Turning Away From Negative Opinions

January Teaching Letter from Denise Renner

Dear Friends,

Merry Christmas and greetings in Jesus’ precious name! Christ came into this world “in the fullness of time” to redeem mankind from sin and to reconcile us to the Heavenly Father (Galatians 4:4,5). And what a great salvation it was and is that God wrought for us in Christ (see Hebrews 2:3-18)! Denise and I and our family wish you a warm and wonderful Christmas season and the best new year of your life in 2022.

Today I want to talk to you about opportunities and adversaries, but first I want to say thank you for being such a faithful partner with our ministry. As I told you in my letter last month, our ministry is bursting at the seams, and I am so humbled that God would use Denise and me, our family, and our team to minister to the many people who are reaching out to us every day.

Every soul is precious, and it is our heartfelt desire to convey that truth to every person God brings to us — that they are precious to Him and to us. And your gifts are so vital to our ability to touch every one of these treasured souls! So today I want to say a special thank you for all you do with us to take the trusted teaching of the Word of God to people in Russia and all over the world. From the depths of our hearts, Denise and I THANK YOU!

This month is the last month of the year — and I know you are probably preparing for Christmas and many different kinds of gatherings. But in addition to Christmas, it’s also almost 2022. As we come to the end of this year and to the beginning of a brand-new year, the Holy Spirit keeps telling me to “stay on track” with the assignments He has given us. I hear Him saying that even if we hit bumps along the way, everything will be all right if we’ll just stay on track and maintain our God-assigned territory — the many opportunities and assignments He has given us to inspire, strengthen, and equip believers with the sound teaching of the Bible.

But I’ve learned over the years that opportunities and adversaries usually go together — and today I want to encourage you to undergird yourself so that you can stay on track with what God has asked you to do this month and in the coming year.

Over the course of our ministry, we’ve had many great, effectual doors open to us to do the work of the Gospel. I’ll never forget when I received an opportunity to minister on television in the former Soviet Union. It was as if a great door had suddenly swung open to an entire vast territory — a door that had never before been opened for anyone else — and I knew I was experiencing something miraculous. By faith, Denise and I stepped through that door and began to preach the Word of God on television in this spiritually starved corner of the world.

Given the former socialist-communist campaigns against the Gospel in this particular region, this opportunity was as miraculous as the Jordan River dividing for Joshua and the children of Israel. But with this great open door also came a slew of adversaries, specifically dispatched by Satan to instill fear and doubt into my heart. The devil desperately wanted to prevent me from touching the lives of spiritually oppressed people, so he positioned evil people with insidious plans to try to block my view of what God had in store for our ministry.

I’m telling you that it was like the children of Israel looking at the Promised Land from the far side of the Jordan River. From that perspective, they saw only the fruitful land of blessing that lay before them. But once they entered the Promised Land, they had to fight giants of every kind before they could possess that land and enjoy the blessing. In much the same way, if Denise and I had taken our eyes off the Lord during that tumultuous period — or if we had focused only on the problems and forgotten about the fruit we were pursuing for God’s Kingdom — I’m sure we would have backpedaled to get out of the situation!

But we knew this was a God-given opportunity and worth the fight, so we fixed our gaze squarely on the Lord. Girded with the armor of God and the power of the Spirit, we pushed through every obstacle and possessed the ground that God called us to take. As a result, millions of souls began to hear the Gospel for the first time. We knew that only God could have opened this door!

In First Corinthians 16:9, the apostle Paul wrote about the strategic doors of opportunity that open for the Gospel and the adversaries that usually accompany them. He said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” Notice that Paul used the words “great,” “door,” “effectual,” and “is opened” to describe the opportunity that had been set before him.

The word “great” in this verse is translated from the Greek word megale, which means gigantic. The word “door” is the Greek word thura, which typically refers to a door, but in this context, denotes a rare opportunity. The word “effectual” is the Greek word energes, and it depicts something that is powerful and ready to be set into motion. Finally, the phrase “is opened” is the Greek word anoigo, which describes something standing wide open. In other words, the door in question couldn’t be any more open! Thus, an alternate translation of Paul’s words in First Corinthians 16:9 could be rendered, “A gigantic, powerful opportunity is already set in motion and standing wide open….”

Paul continued by saying, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me….” You see, Paul knew that the particular door he was referring to had never been opened to anyone else, and he stood in awe of the unprecedented opportunity. Walking through these kinds of doors is impossible without divine assistance, and Paul was fully aware of God’s role in the matter. That is why he specified that this door had been opened “unto me.”

Paul’s prayer request in First Corinthians 16:9 was not for a door to open because it had already opened. His prayer request was to receive God’s wisdom to deal with the numerous adversaries who were trying to come against him. Paul used the Greek word antikeimenoi to describe the vast number of “adversaries” that were sent to attack him. This Greek word describes something that was piled high and lying all around him. In other words, he was dealing with more than a few minor opponents. On the contrary, it felt like opposition was stacked high on every side!

I’ve learned that the enemy will try his best to keep you from stepping through the gigantic doors of opportunity God desires to open for you. Satan is afraid of what will happen when “his” territory is invaded by someone fully equipped with a full arsenal of spiritual weapons. So know this: God will open doors for you — but He needs you to make a determined decision that you will walk through them, no matter the opposition, with the help of His Spirit.

By opening the door, God has already done His part, which would have been impossible without His assistance. Now He beckons you to come, dressed in the whole armor of God and in the power of His Word — and proceed through that effectual door into new territory. It may look like enemies are everywhere, but it is simply a fact that the devil and his forces flee and collapse when they are subjected to a show of strong faith!

As I mentioned earlier, many great and effectual doors have been opened to us over the years to do the work of the Gospel. In each case, we knew these doors were unique to us and had never before been opened for anyone else. And just as Paul experienced opposition, there were plenty of enemies that came against us with each opportunity. But because we obeyed God, the devil was forced to move out of the way, and we walked right into the virgin territory that God had opened for our ministry.

Even if you think your situation looks threatening right now, I want to tell you that God is with you. He wants to supernaturally open new doors for you — doors that have never before been opened for you. He is not beckoning you to walk through these doors so you can fail. He is with you every step of the way, and He will empower you to defeat every foe and bring Him glory in that new territory that is yours to possess in Jesus’ name!

Your open door may be an opportunity to shine the light of God’s Word and God’s love to your family or friends during this holiday season. It may be a door that will open to you in the new year. Regardless of when it is or what it is, the same God who opens doors will empower you to walk through them — and then He’ll be right with you to give you the wisdom and strength needed to overcome any giant that tries to meet you on the other side.

I know this is not a typical December, “Christmas-style” letter, but this is what was on my heart to share with you today. I want you to always know that if we can join you in prayer, we would be delighted to do so. To be honest, we are praying for you anyway, but when we are alerted to know exactly “how” to pray, it increases our effectiveness as we pray for you. So if you have a special need, please either call or write to let us know how we can get in agreement with you for God to show Himself mighty to you according to Jeremiah 33:3, which says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

And please pray for us as we continue marching forward by faith to push back darkness, to shine the light of God’s Word, and to take territory for the Kingdom of God. Together — as partners — we can make a difference in the lives of throngs of people who are crying out to God for help. They are waiting for God to respond to their prayers, and God wants to use us — you and us together — to bring them the answers they desperately need.

But before I close, I want to say we are specifically asking God to do something special for you this month and before the end of the year. I don’t know what it is, but that is what we are praying. We are asking God to do something special that will bless your life! And please, please pray for us as we continue pushing ahead to build our studio in Moscow, to finalize the purchase of our new headquarters in Tulsa, and to continue to minister effectually to every precious soul Jesus brings to us!

Merry Christmas!

We love you and thank God for you!

We are your brother and sister, friends, and partners in Jesus Christ,

Rick and Denise Renner
along with Paul, Philip, and Joel and their families|Dear Friend,

Happy New Year, friend! 2024 has been an amazing year, and I have seen the Lord do some truly incredible things in many people’s lives. When we don’t limit Him, He is capable of doing extraordinary works in our lives. It’s so important to keep our expectations high as we begin this new year. As you get your footing and begin navigating the ins and outs of starting a brand-new year, I want this to remind you to have high expectations from the Lord in 2025! Just as the Bible says in Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

Another issue that seems to impact our ability to start the year strong is letting the negative opinions of others get to us. Negative opinions from other people — and ourselves — can influence us. But the good news is that we don’t have to let those opinions drag us down! God has a purpose for you, and you have a supply inside to give! We have to be unstoppable and confident in the truth of the Word and what it says about us. Today I want to discuss how Jesus was unstoppable in the face of other people’s negative opinions, and that we can adopt the same unstoppable attitude!

The enemy hates you and wants to see you fail. He resents the presence of God inside you. He stands against the inherent goodness in you and wants to hinder your journey. The devil will use offense, fear of man, and societal opinions to cause you to falter, become stuck, or quit altogether. Today I want to discuss how you can navigate through the negative opinions of others through examining our one true, perfect example — Jesus Christ.

If you’ve read the New Testament, you probably know that negative opinions had no effect on Jesus. During His life on the earth, many people hurled many opinions at Jesus, and today we’re going to study how He continued moving forward in spite of that negativity.

Studying these verses has been profoundly encouraging to me. Despite the barrage of opinions directed at Him, Jesus continued to move forward — a true example for us.  You will inevitably face opinions and opposition, including disapproval concerning your beliefs as Christians and even your personal traits. There will always be those who challenge the Gospel, but Jesus showed how you can keep moving forward regardless of this negativity. As you read my letter to you today and study the Scriptures, I want you to look at Jesus as your perfect example of how to not let the opinions of others get in your way and to be unstoppable!

John 7:1-5 reads:

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

Do you have a family member who doesn’t believe in you or a relative who dismisses your beliefs by saying you’re narrow-minded and need to catch up with the times? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? As you just read, even Jesus faced criticism and skepticism from His own family. They put Him down with their words, but He didn’t argue or get upset. Jesus simply moved forward with what God placed inside Him. This is a powerful example for us: others may have their thoughts and opinions, but it’s most important that we follow what God has said to us and about us. Opinions may swirl around like a storm, but they didn’t faze Jesus, and they don’t have to faze us!

This is such an amazing example for us today. Other people may have their thoughts and feelings about you or what you’re doing, but they’re not important. What’s important is that we move with the gifts and callings God has given us. When you focus on what God has said to and about you, the other opinions don’t mean a thing!

In this chapter, Jesus was judged by his own family and brothers, the Pharisees, the Jews, the chief priests, the authorities, and even the crowd at the Feast of Tabernacles (see John 7:1-52). You can imagine all the negative opinions Jesus dealt with during this feast. All those negative comments whirling around Him, yet Jesus didn’t fold. I want to highlight that Jesus faced temptation just like we do. Even though He didn’t sin, He understands the pressure we face when we’re tempted.

Because Jesus understands the temptation to listen to negative thoughts and opinions and give in to the pressure, you can receive His unstoppable power when you’re faced with the temptation to react to negative opinions. When you’re trying with all your heart to do the right thing and push through negative opinions, remember that Jesus understands this struggle. Just look at the opinions that surrounded Jesus in John 7:

You can see that Jesus faced both approval and harsh criticism, yet He remained focused on His mission. But just like Jesus, if you want to move forward in life, you have to learn to ignore the many opinions coming your way. You can’t make progress just because people like you, give you their approval, or because social media says you can. To move forward, you need to rely on what God says about you and hold tight to it, giving you the unstoppable attitude to overcome and continue carrying out His plan for your life!

To fulfill the unique plan the Lord has given you, you can’t wait for the approval or praise of others. You must move forward because of the conviction you hold in your heart — not depending on an external blessing but on the blessing inside of you!

You can’t wait for approval or praise from others. You must move forward with the conviction in your heart, not because someone praises or approves of you, but because of what you believe inside. You shouldn’t pay attention to negative opinions or be ruled by what others think. If you let other’s opinions define you, you lose your own identity and become what they want you to be. Not only that, but you become limited by their opinion. Instead, be guided by your convictions and not others’ beliefs — whether they think highly of you or not — affect your actions.

Friend, I don’t want to be ruled by others’ opinions, and I hope you don’t either. Ultimately, we will stand before Jesus, not before those people hurling their opinions at us!

The last verse in John 7 says, “And everyone went to his own house” (John 7:53). So after all these people subjected Jesus to their own gossip and ridicule, they took their negative opinions home with them. But what happens next in chapter 8 is phenomenal. It says:

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”

— John 8:1-5

I actually looked up what the commentators meant when they said to Jesus, “But what do You say?” When the onlookers said this, they were taunting, ridiculing, and trying to put Him down. Verse 6 continues:

This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

— John 8:6 

Note where it says, “…as though He did not hear.” The people were constantly taunting Jesus and jeering Him on, but what did He do? He ignored their ridicule and negative remarks and calmly wrote something on the ground before them. No one knows exactly what Jesus wrote that day, but the passage goes on to say: 

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

— John 8:7-9

Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, ignoring their taunts. Although we don’t know what He wrote, we know what Jesus said. “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (John 8:7). Jesus did something amazing by silencing them with His words. He was in a difficult situation because Roman law said that a woman caught committing adultery was worthy of capital punishment, and so did Jewish law. So Jesus was going to break the law either way. But Jesus wasn’t seeking the opinion of the law!

Whose opinion was Jesus seeking? After facing harsh criticism in chapter seven, He went to seek the Father and pray in the mountains. I’m not saying it’s easy to ignore negative opinions and pressure from others who ridicule our faith. They might call us outdated or hateful, just as they did to Jesus. But Jesus sought strength in prayer. Facing the pressure of both Roman and Jewish law, He stood up to the accusers.

The story continues in verse 10:

When Jesus raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

— John 8:10,11

I want to point out that Jesus could have just ignored this woman. He knew what she had been accused of — what she had done. Despite knowing her guilt, Jesus had the Father’s opinion, which was to show compassion and not judgment. He didn’t stone her, ignore her, or condemn her. Instead, He showed compassion and spoke to her.

She stood rightfully accused, but Jesus didn’t listen to the opinions of others. He had the heart of His Father. His opinion mattered over the negative opinion of the commentators and Pharisees. The Father’s opinion was one of compassion and grace — not to judge her, not to stone her Himself, not to ignore her, but to have compassion on her and speak to her. And just like He didn’t ignore the adulterous woman, Jesus doesn’t ignore us when we’re in a difficult situation. Isn’t that wonderful?!

When Jesus lifted His head from writing on the ground and asked the adulterous woman where her accusers were, you can imagine how she must have felt. Her face may have been streaked with tears, dirt, or maybe even blood because we don’t know how her accusers treated her. She looked around and said, “No one, Lord” (see John 8:11). That’s a powerful statement. And what did Jesus say to her? He said, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (see John 8:11).

The woman didn’t argue with Jesus — she didn’t say, “Oh, but I am guilty! I deserve it. Your compassion is great, but I really deserve to be stoned. And the people hate me anyway.” The Bible tells us that she received what Jesus said to her. You see, Jesus’ opinion is the opinion that matters. Not the opinions of your accusers, commentators, rivals, or enemies.

It’s so important that we receive what Jesus says about us — to hold His opinion of us higher than any other opinion man can give. What other people say about us and their negative opinions pale in comparison to the opinion of our Almighty God. Sometimes people’s opinions are good, but sometimes they aren’t so good. And if it’s coming against what has been placed on the inside of you — the truth you know about yourself — you must hold on to that truth. When you hold that truth dear and receive Jesus’ opinion about you, you will develop an unstoppable attitude that no one’s negative opinion can derail!

Friend, there will be times when you may be tempted to ignore someone in trouble. But remember, you have the power of God within you. Instead of walking away, seek the Lord in prayer, and He will show you His compassion, His plan, and His wisdom about whatever situation you may encounter.

If you’re facing a situation where you could ignore the problem, I encourage you to seek the Lord’s wisdom and plan. The God of this world, the creator of everything, lives within you. He knows everything and can give you the answers, boldness, and courage you need to address the situation and bring His heart and righteousness into it.

The adulterous woman’s decision to accept Jesus’ opinion is crucial. We must all come to the place where we govern our lives by God’s opinion of who we are, His will, His plan, and His purpose for us. God had a plan for us before the foundation of the world, including our personalities and the gifts He placed inside us. We cannot let others’ opinions stop us from discovering or sharing the supply inside!

It’s so important for us to receive what Jesus says about us, not what others say. While some opinions might be helpful, we must hold onto the truth within us. We need to accept Jesus’ opinion about us over any negative views others may have.

Before I close my letter to you, I want to share my weekly program, TIME With Denise Renner, with you. Each Wednesday, I get the incredible opportunity to open the truth of the Bible and share what the Lord has put on my heart. If you haven’t joined me yet, you can watch TIME With Denise Renner on my Facebook page, YouTube channel, or by visiting Renner.org. I hope to see you there!

Friend, I pray you’re encouraged by this teaching today. It’s always such an amazing privilege to share the Word of God with you — to open these truths in John 7 and 8. I encourage you to study these chapters and see how Jesus pushed past every negative opinion, and how that woman chose to receive the only opinion that was truly important — the opinion of Jesus Christ! Take this attitude into the new year and watch as you become truly unstoppable!

Prayer is such an important aspect of our lives as believers, and we want to let you know that we take each and every one of your prayer requests seriously. To connect with our prayer team today, call 1.844.473.6637 or send an email to prayer@deniserenner.org. We are believing for you to experience the fullness of God’s blessings in your life and hope to hear from you soon!

We are moving forward together,

Denise Renner

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