Dust Off Your Feet
Have you had an experience where you’ve shared truth with family, friends, or co-workers, but they haven’t listened? Whether you’re sharing the truth about Jesus, or other everyday facts, like the truth about mask and vaccine mandates, rejection hurts. We want the best for those around us and when they don’t want to listen, it can be really hard. What do we do? Bonnie Jones in the video below has a beautiful word on “shaking the dust off your feet.”
There are five verses in the New Testament that reference this action of shaking the dust off of ones feet, or in today’s terms, walking away. These were the instructions that Jesus gave to his disciples when he sent them out to share the truth. He told them that not everyone would receive them, and this is what they were to do when they were rejected.
Matthew 10:14 - “If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.”
Mark 6:11 - “But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”
Luke 9:5 - “And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”
Luke 10:11 - “‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’”
Acts 13:51 - “So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium.”
These verses are comforting to me as I’ve had to “shake the dust off of my feet” multiple times. It’s not easy leaving and sometimes it’s downright excruciatingly painful when being rejected. However, I take comfort, knowing that whether others receive me or not, the truth remains. Holy Spirit can continue to speak that truth to them in his own time and way, long after I’ve left. Maybe someday they will receive it. This is how you can stay in a mindset of spiritual unity and peace, when others reject you and the truth you’ve shared.
When you’ve been rejected for speaking the truth, may you implement this very practical mindset and powerful action, so that you will continue to be blessed and be a blessing to others who are listening In Jesus Name! Go forth bold, blessed, and brilliant! Please continue to share, subscribe, and comment below. Because of you, this website over the last four years, has had views from more than 100 countries. Thank you!