When the twelve spies came back from their 40-day reconnaissance mission into the Promised Land, the majority reported that “the people” and “the cities” in the land were “greater” and seemingly indestructible. The report, although based on false information, “discouraged” (literally, “melted”) the “hearts” of the people (Deut. 1:28). What a negative influence! Compare that with Philemon in the New Testament. Paul wrote that he…