Joel Osteen - Refusing Negative Seeds

Negative words from people, experts, or circumstances act like seeds that can take root and limit our destiny if we dwell on them, but just as David refused King Saul’s discouraging doubts to defeat Goliath and my grandmother rejected a Parkinson’s diagnosis, we must guard our minds, refuse those seeds, and believe God’s report to step into victory and the impossible.

Words Are Seeds—Choose Wisely What Takes Root!

I want to talk to you today about refusing negative seeds. We all have voices that are trying to keep us from our destiny. Sometimes it is people telling us what we cannot become and how we are not going to accomplish the dream. It may be experts—they have all the training, all the skill—and they are telling us the facts.

Medical science: «You are not going to get well.» «You do not have the qualifications for this position.» You watch the news, and you hear all about the economy, inflation, viruses, division. This can bring fear and worry: «What is going to happen?»

Guard Your Mind—Be Selective!

Words are like seeds. If you dwell on them long enough, they will take root and become a reality. The good news is: you get to choose what gets planted in your soil. The Scripture says to guard your mind. That is saying: do not let just any seed get in there—be selective.

If that seed is negative, discouraging, bringing fear, pushing you down, do not give it the time of day. You need to say, «No, thanks. I refuse that seed. I am not letting that defeat take root in my soil.»

People Often Speak Negativity Without Realizing

Sometimes people do not even realize that they are doing it: «I am sorry about that diagnosis—my grandmother died of the same thing.» «I would not take that new position if I were you—that is way over your head.» «Are you still single? I do not know if you will ever meet anyone.»

Do yourself a favor: let that go in one ear and out the other. If you start dwelling on it—“What if I do not get well? Well, maybe this is over my head. I am worried that I am not going to meet someone”—you are giving that seed permission to become a reality.

Tune Out the Can’t-Do-It Voices

Do not let the doubt from other people keep you from your destiny. You have to tune out all the negative, can’t-do-it, not-able, never-going-to-happen limiting words. They may speak that, but you do not have to receive it. If you do not dwell on it, those words will die stillborn—they will have no effect on you.

Victoria and I were at a restaurant one time, and our son Jonathan was six months old. He was lying in the little carrier in the seat next to me.

Terrific Twos, Not Terrible!

About 30 minutes later, this older couple got up to leave, and they came over to our table. The lady said, «We were just admiring your little baby and how good he is—how he just lies there so peaceful and quiet.» We thanked them. Then the husband said, «But you just wait until he gets to be two years old. He will turn into a tyrant. You better enjoy it now, because he is going to be trouble—those terrible twos are coming.»

We just waved and said, «Goodbye, ” and I thought, „Do not let the door hit you as you leave.“ But something rose up in me. I told Victoria, „I do not receive that. He does not determine our future. His opinion is not our reality. It is not going to be the terrible twos—it is going to be the terrific twos, the awesome threes, the fabulous fours.“

You’re the Exception—Believe It!

Do not get in agreement with negative things people speak over you. What they are saying may be true for a lot of people, but you are the exception. You are the one to have awesome children. You are the one to get well when the medical report says you will not. You are the one to break the addiction, to take your family to a new level, to see favor that people could never imagine.

For this to happen, you have to be selective about what gets planted in your soil. When these negative seeds come, it is really easy: refuse it—do not dwell on it; do not go around talking about it; do not start expecting it to happen. Keep your mind filled with positive, hopeful, faith-filled thoughts.

David Refused Saul’s Doubt

David was 17 years old when he heard Goliath taunting the Israelites. This giant stood over nine feet tall, and he was the champion of the Philistine army. None of the Israelites dared to face him. When he came out shouting his threats, they all ran and hid.

David was half his size—he had no training, no armor—but he went to King Saul and told him that he wanted to face Goliath. Saul said in 1 Samuel 17:33, „David, do not be ridiculous. You are just a boy. He has been a warrior since he was a youth.“ He was saying, „David, what are you thinking? You do not have a chance. You are too small. You are not qualified. This is way over your head.“

The Real Victory Was Refusing the Seed

Whenever you are on the verge of a new level, negative seeds will come trying to talk you out of it. David had a choice: to let those words take root—“I am just a boy; I am not up to par; I cannot do this”—or was he going to guard his mind and not let the doubt, the inferiority, the opinion of Saul talk him out of his destiny.

This was a defining moment. David could have walked away, gone back home. He could have missed who God created him to be had he not learned this principle. We see David defeating Goliath as the great victory—that is when God took him to a new level—but the real victory took place when he did not let Saul’s demeaning words keep him from stepping up. Had he not refused the negative seeds, he would have never made it to Goliath.

Before You Conquer Giants—Face the Sauls

Before you conquer your giant, before you reach a new level, there will be a Saul trying to discourage you—a Saul telling you, „You cannot get well; you cannot start your business; you will never break that addiction; you will never meet the right person.“ Your real victory is when you refuse the doubt, refuse what the naysayers are telling you.

You have to win the battle in your mind before you will defeat your giant. Too many people get talked out of ever seeing their Goliath because they listen to Saul.

Not Everyone Will Cheer You On

You would think that Saul would be excited that someone finally stepped up to face Goliath. He had been taunting the Israelites for 40 days—now this young man, David, had the courage to take him on. Surely Saul would say, „David, that is awesome. You can do this. We are all behind you.“

But when God puts big things in your heart, do not expect everyone to cheer you on. Do not expect all your family and friends to encourage you and tell you how great you are. That is when the Sauls will show up—people that cast negative seeds, try to get you to doubt, second-guess yourself, discredit you, make you feel small like you do not measure up.

People Don’t Determine Your Destiny

Do not let those seeds take root. People do not determine your destiny—God does. When He called you, He did not check with people. He did not consult with your friends, your neighbors, your boss, your family, or your enemies to decide if they think you can do it: „Are you big enough? Smart enough? Talented enough?“

He put things in you that other people cannot see. Do not get upset with them if they think you cannot do it: „You are just a boy. You do not come from the right family.“ They are looking at the outside. They are judging from a human point of view, but God has put things in you that will defy the odds.

That Slingshot Has God’s Blessing!

His favor on your life will cause you to go places you could never go on your own. They may think, „Man, all you have is a slingshot. You do not have a chance.“ What they cannot see is that slingshot with the blessing of God will bring down giants. „Well, you are just a boy.“ Yes, but a boy with the favor of God can become the king of Israel.

God would not have allowed the giant if you were not well able to defeat him. The giant is a sign that a new level is coming. But here is the key: before that happens, King Saul will show up. The real test is not Goliath—the real test is Saul, the negative words, the doubt, the fear, the insecurity trying to get you to question yourself, question whether you really heard God, question if you really have what it takes.

Dismiss Doubt—Step Into Your Future

Dismiss the doubt. Refuse those negative seeds. You are at a defining moment. You are on the verge of stepping up to a new level, the verge of seeing God do something you have never seen. Are you going to shrink back and let people’s opinions talk you out of it—let the doubt, the fear take root? Or are you going to do like David: dismiss it and move forward in faith into the awesome future God has in store?

When my father passed in 1999, I had only ministered one time. I had worked behind the scenes for 17 years, and I never wanted to be up in front of people. I liked being behind the scenes, but I knew I was supposed to step up and pastor the church.

The What-Ifs Tried to Stop Me

It did not make sense to my mind: I did not have the training; I was not necessarily qualified; I did not have a big personality like my father—but I took that step of faith, and I started speaking on the weekends. I was so nervous and so unsure of myself.

I would finish one message and walk off the platform so relieved—the next thought would come: „What are you going to speak on next week? What if you have nothing to say? What if no one comes? What if people do not like you? What if the church goes down?“

If you notice how the enemy loves to bring the what-ifs—and it is always worst-case scenarios: „What if that pain in your little toe is cancer? What if the company lays you off and you cannot pay your mortgage? What if your child does not pass that class?“

Turn the What-Ifs Around!

These negative seeds can cause worry and anxiety where you cannot enjoy your life. Instead of letting them take root, why do not you turn the what-ifs around and dwell on the best-case scenarios? Dwell on something hopeful, something that builds your faith.

„What if no one comes?“ What if the church explodes? „What if you never get well?“ What if you recover and feel better than ever? „What if your child does not pass?“ What if he makes the honor roll? „What if you never meet anyone?“ What if they show up this week? „What if you get laid off?“ What if you get a promotion? What if you start your own business? What if you step into abundance and overflow that you have never seen?

A Destiny Moment in the Lobby

Quit letting the negative play in your mind. You choose which seeds get planted in your soil. You have to take control of your thought life.

A few weeks after I started ministering, I was in the front lobby after the service. I had just come off the platform, and I was walking behind these two ladies. They did not know I was there—I overheard them talking. One said, „He is not as good as his father.“ The other answered back, „Yeah, I do not think the church is going to make it.“

I was already insecure, worried about what people thought, wondering if I was good enough. That was like the worst thing that could have happened.

Grace Rose Up—Like a Sleeping Lion

When I heard that, I felt fear shoot through my body—almost like panic: „Oh no, it is not going to work out. I do not have what it takes.“ As I was processing it all, something rose up in me like waking up a sleeping lion. I felt a boldness, a confidence, a power that I had never felt before.

I thought to myself, „You ladies do not know who I am. You do not know what God put in me. You were not there when He formed me in my mother’s womb. You were not there when He called me, equipped me, and anointed me. You were not there when He crowned me with His favor. You may not think I can do it, but I do not need your approval. You do not think I have what it takes—that I am just a boy—but there is a slingshot you cannot see. There is a giant that is about to come down.“

The Real Battle Was in My Mind

I was at a destiny moment. If I would have let their seeds take root, I would have talked myself out of it. If I had kept dwelling on that—“You are not like your father. You are not good enough. It is not going to last”—I would not be up here today.

I was on the verge of a new level of my destiny. Getting the Compaq Center was not the real battle—the real battle was not letting those two ladies convince me that I did not have what it takes.

Grace Is There in Destiny Moments

Now I look back and think, „How did I not let them discourage me?“ You know, I was so unsure of myself, but in those destiny moments, the grace of God will always be there to empower you. The Scripture says, „When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God will raise up a barrier.“

It was not a coincidence that out of the thousands of people at church that morning, I just so happened to walk behind those two ladies. I could have walked behind somebody who said, „Man, that was great today—I really enjoyed it.“ That was a test.

Before Breakthrough—Negative Seeds Come

Before you accomplish the dream, the enemy will make sure there will be negative seeds. Before your health turns around, before your child gets back on course, before you break that addiction—these seeds of doubt, discouragement, can’t-do-it, not-good-enough, never-going-to-happen.

Do not believe those lies. Turn it around and declare what God says about you.

Declare God’s Report Over Your Life

When thoughts tell you you have seen your best days—nothing good is in your future—“Father, You said my latter days will be better than my former days. You said the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter.»

«Well, your children will never get back on course—just accept it.» «No—as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Father, thank You that my children are mighty in the land.»

«Oh, you are never going to have that baby—you have tried for so many years.» «No, Father—You have said in Psalms You would make me the happy mother of children. Lord, I thank You that my baby is on the way.»

Jesus Ignored the Negative Report

In Mark chapter 5, Jesus was walking by the shore, and a man named Jairus came and fell at His feet. He said, «My little girl is very sick—she is about to die. Please come to my house and pray for her.» Jesus agreed to do it, but along the way He kept getting delayed.

That is when the woman came up and touched the edge of His robe, and He stopped—she was healed; He stopped and talked with her a little while. All this time Jairus was thinking, «Please hurry up—we do not have long.»

About that time, these messengers came to Jairus saying, «We are so sorry, but your little daughter has died. There is no use bothering Jesus anymore.» The Scripture says Jesus overheard what the messenger said, but He ignored their comments.

Ignore the Negative—Don’t Let It Root

Notice the principle: you may overhear some negative words, overhear negative reports, but you have to learn to ignore them—do not give them the time of day; do not dwell on it. You are not denying the problem; you are not acting like it does not exist—but you are not letting it take root.

You cannot have faith if there is doubt, fear, worry about this medical report: «Joel, the expert said it is not going to work out.» Sometimes—take this in the right sense—you have to turn your mind off: «Lean not to your own understanding.»

God Has the Final Say

Yes, use common sense, but there are things we face where there is no solution in the natural. If you try to figure it out, you are going to get confused, discouraged, and talk yourself out of it. You cannot stop that you heard it, but you can take the next step and ignore it.

Jesus went in and prayed for the little girl, and she came back to life—a great miracle. There may be things in your life that look dead. Every circumstance says, «It is too late—never going to get well, never accomplish your dream, never see your family restored”—but God has the final say.

My Grandmother Refused Parkinson’s

When you believe, all things are possible. Do not give those negative seeds any room in your soil. When you are in a battle, when you are up against giants, you need your heart filled with hope, filled with faith—knowing that God is bigger, that He is fighting your battles, that He is making ways where you do not see a way.

My grandmother on my father’s side of the family was a very feisty woman. She only stood 4 feet 11 inches tall, but she would fight a tiger. She lived out in the country her whole life—do you ever see The Beverly Hillbillies? She was Granny. Her name was Ellie Mae; she chewed tobacco; she dipped snuff. I come from a very sophisticated family.

„I Refuse to Have It—I’m Too Old!“

When my grandmother was up there in years, she went to the doctor for a checkup. He said, „Miss Osteen, I am sorry to tell you this, but you have the beginning stages of Parkinson’s disease.“

Well, my grandmother did not know what Parkinson’s was, but she knew she did not want to have anything to do with it. She got up off the table, bristled back, and said, „Listen here, sir—I do not have Parkinson’s disease. I refuse to have it, and besides, I am too old to have it.“

He looked at her like she was a little bit crazy—and she was—but you know, my grandmother never did have Parkinson’s disease. I do not know—if she had it, the symptoms never showed up.

Don’t Let Sickness Become Your Identity

But I know you cannot wish things away, but something happens when you do not let the seed take root. I am not saying bury your head in the sand, deny reality—I am saying: do not let it get down in your spirit where it becomes your default setting—you are always thinking, „I have this disease; I am limited.“

No—your body is a temple of the Most High God. See any sickness, any addiction, any pain as foreign: „You do not belong here; you are not welcome—I am God’s property.“

There’s Another Report—God’s Report!

Doctors tell us what medical science says. They give us diagnoses based on their skill, their training, their expertise—and they can help us get well—but at times they come to limitations. There is nothing more they can do medically speaking.

While we respect the diagnosis—that is one report—but there is another report from the God who created you, from the God who made you in His own image, from the God who knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. He is called Jehovah Rapha, the Lord your healer.

Whose Report Will You Believe?

Isaiah 53:1 said, „Who will believe the report of the Lord?“ In life we have different reports: here is the medical report; here is my financial report; here is what King Saul says; here is what those two ladies said. Now we get to choose which report we are going to believe.

„He will never be as good as his father”—but there is another report: „I can do all things through Christ. I am strong in the Lord. God being for me is more than the world being against me.“ Why do not you choose the report of the Lord?

Believe the Report of Overflow and Healing

„You are not going to get well. Man, that sickness is permanent—learn to live with it.“ There is another report: „God is restoring health back into me. I will live and not die. With long life He will satisfy me.“

Or how about, „Man, you are always going to struggle. You will always have lack and not enough.“ How about this report: „I will lend and not borrow. My cup runs over. I live under the open windows of heaven—blessings that I cannot contain.“

What seeds are you letting take root? What you are dwelling on is what is going to come to pass.

The Miracle Mom Defied the Odds

I talked to a woman that was pregnant with triplets, and because of some other complications it was considered a very high-risk pregnancy. She went to a special group of doctors that specialized in this, and she was told that she would be bedridden after three months of pregnancy and the babies would be born at least four months prematurely. They had seen this happen again and again.

She was respectful, but she did not let the seed take root. She told her doctors that she was going to be the exception—that her babies were going to be born full term and she was not going to be bedridden.

She Refused Negative Pronouncements

They looked at her like, „Yeah, right.“ At one point the main doctor said, „You are going to get gestational diabetes—something that occurs during pregnancy that can now lead to long-term diabetes. He said it is not if you will get it—it is when you will get it. You have all the signs; it is just a matter of time.“

She asked the doctor very politely to not pronounce things over her that have not yet happened. She said, „I would prefer you to say: the statistics indicate you will get gestational diabetes.“ She did not want that defeat being spoken over her.

Full-Term Triplets—No Complications!

You cannot always keep it from coming, but you do not have to let it take root. They thought she was kind of odd, a little far out—but do you know? She carried those triplets the full nine months. She was never bedridden. She drove herself to the hospital to deliver, and she never did get gestational diabetes.

Now those doctors call her The Miracle Mom. They said, „We have never seen anyone like you.“

God Defies the Odds When You Refuse Negativity

It is amazing what God will do if you do not let negative seeds take root. Whose report are you going to believe—the report of the Lord or the report of people? People are limited; God is unlimited. People are natural; God is supernatural. People look at facts, statistics, what is supposed to happen—God goes beyond normal logic.

He parts Red Seas; He brings little girls back to life; He turns a shepherd boy into a king. He gave Sarah a baby at 80 years old. He took Joseph from a slave in prison to the prime minister of Egypt.

Refuse the Seeds—Step Into Greatness!

Who knows where God is going to take you? You have not seen, heard, or imagined what He has in store. You may not see how it can happen, but you do not have to figure it out. All you have to do is believe, and God will cause you to defy the odds.

Are negative seeds limiting your future? Take inventory of what is growing in your soil. You may need to uproot some things. God can still do what He promised, but you have to get in agreement with Him.

Before you go to the next level, the enemy will send these negative seeds to try to hold you back—a seed of doubt, a seed „You cannot do it, ” a seed „You will not get well, ” a seed „You will never defeat Goliath, ” a seed „You cannot get up in front of those people.“

Pass the Test—See God Show Out!

There will be these defining moments. What you do with the seed will determine whether you step into your greatness or whether you shrink back in fear.

Pass that test. Start refusing negative seeds. Do not let what people speak over you determine your future. Do not let what the expert said cause you to live in doubt. Do not let your own thoughts talk you out of what God put in your heart—believe His report.

He would not have put you in that situation if you were not already equipped, empowered, and anointed. You are strong; you are blessed; you are healthy; you are qualified; you are valuable; you are victorious.

Now guard your mind and keep those negative seeds out. If you will do this, I believe and declare: like David, you are going to defeat giants. Like Jairus, God is going to do what looks impossible. Like the Miracle Mom, you are going to defy the odds and see God show out in your life—healing, favor, breakthroughs, the fullness of your destiny, in Jesus’ name. And if you receive it, can you say amen? Amen! I receive it as well!