The Power of Suggestion

In our suburb the council picks up the rubbish bins weekly and the recycle bins biweekly.  Because we do not write a schedule in the diary, it can be easy to forget if this week is recycle week or not.  Typically the amount of recycle stuffed in the bin is a good indication as well as looking outside to see what the neighbours are doing.  When in doubt, put the bin out is what I do.

This week was one of those recycling wondering weeks:  we had a full bin but no one had placed their recycle bins out.  As our bin was wheeled to the kerb I found it amusing that bright yellow bin was a suggestion to others it was recycle week--even if it wasn't.  Because of our prominent house position on a corner, I mused over how many people would put out their bins just in case if it turned out to be at the wrong time.  By evening pretty much everyone on our street had their recycle bins out and it was thought provoking how one person doing something could lead others to follow suit.

The power of suggestion is at work all around us more than we realise.  How many times have you read a book, watched a movie, visited a church or hired a contractor at the suggestion of others?  How often has exposure to an idea encouraged further thought or research of the subject?  Seeing others do something as simple as rolling a yellow bin to the kerb has prompted us to think about and even do it ourselves.  Consider how many things we have thought about, said or done because we saw someone else do it first and planted the idea in our heads.  When it comes to things both good and evil it is likely we have gone beyond where we began.

The aim to influence people by suggestion reeks of manipulation and is a common technique Satan employs.  God does not suggest; He speaks plainly and directly with commands to obey, warnings to consider and promises to believe.  Believers need not remain in doubt of His will regarding sin, for He has given us the scriptures, our conscience and the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth.  Satan was glad to suggest to Eve God was wrong, she would not die, and the fruit would make her wise.  Eve took the bait, yet we are not without help in the face of alluring suggestions because the LORD is with us.  By the grace of God we can repent of our sin, foresee evil before we participate in it and do what we know pleases God.

Paul did not make "suggestions" to believers he addressed in his letters but exhorted them to glorify God.  To "exhort" means "to encourage, to embolden, to cheer, to advise."  The faith of a believer is according to knowledge of divine wisdom and realities, not suggestions we can take or leave.  1 Thessalonians 5:14-24 says, "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. ¹⁵ See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil."

A suggestion is a hint, whereas an exhortation incites a commendable action.  If we Christians heed these exhortation how my neighbours responded to seeing a yellow bin at the kerb, by God's grace we will do well.