Satan’s target is Christians primarily leaders. Pride, most often is the fruit of comparison. Satan compared himself with God, wanting to be greater than God-raise himself above God. Notice when Jesus caught his disciples arguing about who would be the greatest- how did he correct them? Explaining how the kingdom works- revealing the greatest in the kingdom of God will be the servant of all. Jesus drove this principle home at the last supper by doing what? By washing their feet! He drove the principal home before his crucifixion. Thereby removing the temptation to compare themselves with anyone.
This may have already been talked about but another sneaky way pride makes its way into our lives is through our sometimes futile attempts to be humble. We catch ourselves comparing ourselves to those around us and in an attempt to squash pride we try to diminish ourselves in our head or even with our words. However, by thinking this way we are still placing ourselves above others because we are saying that we are in a place that was above others and needed to bring ourselves down. This is a false humility that is rooted in pride. It's not about making myself less than those around me, it's about realizing that what's great about me came from a loving Creator who also created everyone around me with greatness inside of them. I don't need to compare my greatness doesn't need to be compared to yours, I just need to remember where greatness comes from in the first place.
I'm wondering if, when we forget who our God is, and we forget to truly surrender certain situation to Him and trust Him with the battle (because the battle ultimately, belongs to Him) discouragement, frustration, etc., can take over and tempt us to say and do things, to make poor decisions, that may not necessarily be who we truly are, or where our heart is... that is the enemy's goal.
I had a situation yesterday with a family member, which in praying about it this morning, caused me to ponder this topic. The family member, and later myself, were both in a position of discouragement. Causing us each to say and do things, that were not necessarily in alignment with God's way. Thus, I learned not to panic, yet not to make decisions or judgements, based from one weak moment of anyone.
This has probably already been said or, at least, referred to in some way, but this morning I am amazed at how, when I was discouraged, and I humbly told God, "I can't figure this one out. IDK how to fight this battle, I desperately need YOUR help, please show me, teach me, guide me."
I gave up thinking it all through (or trying to anyway, I decided I cannot lean on my own understanding regarding this situation, or any situation, for that matter!!) and decided to just spend my time in WORSHIP...
That's when he came through!!
I then sat down to read my Bible,... and low and behold,... there it was, right in front of my face!!
God has a habit of far surpassing my wildest imagination,.... as He did this week! I had no idea that God could do THAT much work on the inside of a person in less than a week!!... (sometimes it seems like progress can be S.L.O.W.!, but obviously, not this week! Lolol))
But it was along this very train of thought!
I think that one helpful way to avoid "falling from grace," is to realize that we do not fight against flesh & blood. If we stay mindful of who the true enemy is and that his goal is to take us ALL down, we stay mindful that that could be us, at any moment! Staying humble enough, that when we do fall (because none of us are perfect!) to be teachable is vital. To allow God to show us where and how we became vulnerable is important. I believe that can only hapoen by staying in the Word and in prayer and using our other weapons (such as worship and, definitely in serving!). I once heard the saying, "Either the Word will keep you fron sin, or, sin will keep you from the Word!" However, I'm' not sure, this idea of a verse a day keeps the devil away was really what was meant in that saying....
But having someone around us who we trust and that is willing to speak truth in love to us and say, "is that in alignment with scripture?" Is important.
Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And that can include our faith, hope, passions, calling, etc., etc. BUT GOD, is a merciful, compassionate, & forgiving God.
Another way that Satan uses to weaken our defenses, is to tempt us to not care for the temple of the Holy Spirit as we should. Satan has provided many idols to Americans that are so cleverly disguised that many have no idea that they are truly idols. (God is opening my eyes to more and more on a regular basis!!) As Christians, we are tempted to live too close to the culture around us... we are suppose to be set apart. The excuse is, many times, "but it's harmless..." Those idols steal our health, our time, our energy, etc. When we are distracted, busy, tired, not well nourished, we are weakened.
Prolonged stress is a very common way the enemy gets in!! The effects of prolonged stress depletes magnesium. A magnesium deficiency can cause mood instability and poor decidion making. It also causes an overload of cortisol and stresses the adrenal glands. With prolonged stress, when the adrensl glands are stressed, other organ systems decrease function to conserve energy in order to respond to the "fight or flight" resoonse. Which can cause hormonal diruprions of various and multifaceted degreees. Again, causing poor decision making.
Rest and taking time away from the source of stressors is pivital!!! True rest, that is!
Our emotions is another area of vulnerability.
I believe that we all experience hurts, rejection, etc. Which can breed fear, particularly, fear of failure. Which can, in turn lead us to trying to avoid both more hurt & failure by depending on performance and perfectionism..... kinda, sorta, a chain reaction, if you will.... honestly, i hadn't thought deep enough, YET, (lol), to get to the subject of pride.... because, now that i think throught it, those, ultimately, boil down to, "i need and can, fix this myself" an unconscious belief that we can get along ok, if we just try hard enough, without Jesus.
OUCH!!
There it is, that pride thing!
This week, my mind has been on the Israelites. They left Egypt, but..... Egypt didn’t leave them. It is SO VERY critical that when we experience hurts, as we all do, to do as Nehemiah did in closing the gaps in the walls against the enemy. Because, when we have open gaps in the walls of our hearts, we are open to the enemy coming in, and going out. Causing all types of chaos in and around us. We, unfortunately, hurt others. All these emotions can lead to bitterness. I personally believe that when bitterness sets in, it becomes a free-for-all in opening oursekves to manipulation, vindictive behavior, etc., etc. It becomes a very dangerous downward slide!!
Filling in those gaps in the wall, takes dependence upon Goc. Let God have His job back, which is the TRUE HEART CHANGE AND HEALING.
My job is #1) to have a heart like Joshua & Caleb, not like the other 10 spies that discouraged the entire Israeli community.
I was just telling people in a meeting this morning that I've come up with a new mantra, or blueprint for my life;
"I want to speak faith, not fear; i want to speak victory, not victimhood, i want to speak God's promises, not be a pawn in the hand of the eneny, i want to speak God's Word, not Satan's worries!"
Our words matter!!!!
#2) Put acrion to our faith in whatever areas God is speaking to us in. That's harder than it sounds because it requires our action IN SPITE OF OUR FEAR!!! We havevto focus on faith, not fear. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
#3) Pray, love, and serve our enemies!! Because, ultimately, humsn beings are NOT the enemy, Satan is. And we are just as vulnerable as the next person. (Staying humble and surrendered to God.
Well, folks, is that enough for one day?? Any other thoughts? Bring 'em on!!
This discussion is good food for thought! I LOVE a good, stimulating conversation that makes me REALLY think!!
So timely. I taught on this a few weeks ago. What’s so amazing were all the comments I received from people about how proud they were, that they don’t struggle with pride. Lol
As many times as I've read the book of Zephaniah, yet a few weeks ago, as I was reading through it again, it suddenly struck me that the main theme throughout, is pride verses humility. So much so that under the title of the book, I wrote that exact thing in capital letters. The book of Zephaniah s.p.e.l.l.s it out!
Personal time on a daily basis spent with Father is the only thing that keeps us humble and dependant on Him. When we soak in the accolades on what a fine job we are doing we tend to take the credit and pride is given fertile ground. The next thing you know Ole Jeds a millionaire. Jed being pride and relationship becoming destitute.
I've heard it said, "Either the Word will keep us from sin, or sin will keep us from the Word." But I'm not sure it means the new idea going around these days of, "a verse a day keeps the devil away." I think it means TRULY reading and meditating and digesting and aligning our lives with His Word. I think it means LOVING His Words as TRUTH and LIFE. Aligning every single area of our lives with His Words!
Jon, let’s start with question how do we stop this from happening..::?
I think that potentially it already has started in all of us to a greater or lesser extent…
I am pondering on how do we start to take ground back from the enemy?
Well we know it has to be a monumental move Of Gods Spirit and not our will and might!
I am reminded of Joseph in the cell with the Cupbearer he pleads with him to tell pharaoh all about Joseph and what does the Cupbearer do forgets him , yet God doesn’t but Joseph has to
Learn to rely wholly on God…?
But how do we stop or prevent this from happening, well there is no sure fire way but here is my starter for 10 …
1 - if I want the promotion the recognition, the. In Gods eyes I am not ready for it…
2 if I want to speak in the pulpit and use contacts to say here look at me this is what I did in my old church .. Then once again I fail miserably
3 if I use my contacts in the church or surround my self with people who like me let them help me and by pass God, then I once again fail at the first hurdle
I hope you don’t think I am alike all of the above, but you got me thinking
Then how in the dickens do you do it, well I don’t think you can but if your will is in line with God then maybe just maybe..
But .. But No buts you can’t !!!
But He can !!!! When he is ready
But that makes me feel frustrated angry fed up vexed all the better people are getting the positions the pay the recognition ! That’s all very jolly inconvenient…
Then I hear God saying But Stephen as he uses my full name I thought you wanted to walk in my footsteps, you go down that route I will not be with you your mission will fail!!
Ouch but Lord!!
No I will not deviate but if you fallow in my footsteps I will bless you more than you can possibly imagine…
So what I think I am saying is when our flesh says this we need to try our hardest to hear the voice of God and chances are he will lead you in completely the opposite direction.. in the path of Success as a releader?
Great thoughts Steve. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I do believe it is important to have accountability and those things, but the scary thing is, you can do all the right things: get the right app on your phone, have a healthy board and governance, never travel alone, give all your passwords to our spouse...and still fall. Now don't get me wrong, we should do all of those things...I do.
But I can ride in a golf cart with someone, them have the score card, and still cheat without them knowing it. (pull out the old foot wedge when theyre not looking).
It's a scary topic.
Maybe it boils down to proximity? Exodus 33...Moses tells God, "if you won't go with us, then don't even send us." Somehow Moses knew that if he had God's presence, he had all he needed.
I think over time, leaders start to gravitate towards things other than God. Money, fame, validation, etc.
Anyway, great convo. I hope more people log on here and comment.
Proximity, bingo, i think that's where it is!! A REAL relationship with the living God, no mayter what we have to do to keep that flourishing.
I've been reading a lot in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and a few of the minor prophets. A theme that has been poppingvout to me is that the Israelites began to worship God out of routine. It became rituals and tradition instead of truly from their heart.
Proximity, yep, there ya go!
Yes, we still may not get it perfect. We still may go through times of severe trial, but it's where our heart is in oyr mess ups, God will keep is in the palm of his hand if we are truly trusting in him.
Great conversation on such a tough subject. As I read this article, my mind went to The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast. How can pastors shift so far off the proverbial track of shepherding?
I think pride is the root cause, and I think it's also forgetting what we were rescued from. A couple of weeks ago, I felt led to study Jeremiah in depth. I'm reading it from the Wesley Study Bible, one chapter, one day at a time. Oh, how quickly Israel forgot who rescued them from the bondage and slavery of Egypt, and instead of looking forward, they looked backward and began to walk in their "own counsels" (Jer. 7: 24). Instead of learning from the moral failures of the northern kingdom, Judah surpassed Jerusalem's wickedness and felt no remorse for their harlotry. Wesley says, from his view of God's perspective, that Judah cannot "frequent my house, and yet retain these odious sins." From the day they walked out of Egypt, God provided for them. He rained manna and quail from heaven, supplied water from a rock, and daily He sent servants and prophets to speak to them, but they chose to trust in the wrong voices and ignored the voice of the Lord.
They no longer had broken spirits but prideful, arrogant spirits. It sounds despicable, but if we are not careful, we, too, will become like Judah, and instead of worshipping the Creator, listening to His voice, and building His Kingdom, our motivation will shift to worship of and satisfaction of self, following our own voice, and building our own kingdom. Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." When we follow our own counsel or listen to voices that elevate our wants, wishes, and desires over God's, our path will end in destruction, and we will not be the only ones affected.
This is so very true! Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy even our passions, our dreams, our callings. And the harder we try to "make it work" the more messed up it becomes, for sure!!! A couple of months ago, i had to come to the point of completely entrusting it back into the hands of Father God because I could see that the enemy was trying to steal it from me. I said, "God, if i continue to hold this is MY hands, the enemy can steal it from me, because i keep messing it up, i am turning this over to You and entrusting it i to Your hands for safekeeping, that way i know Satan cannot steal it from You. You do with it as You wish, it's Yours!
As I’m reading this, God laid on me the idea of just one more. In some churches, we find that the Pastor is always about just one more. We need just one more campus, let’s add one more Pastor, I need to write just one more book, the idea of just one more. When you start seeing this pattern, I also see greed, the root for all failings!!
I’m not saying, that the one more is not right but watch how the one becomes!! When doing the one more, how much connection do you have with your foundation? How much time is spent with on that foundation? When the growth happens, are we forgetting the foundation? In any structure the foundation most be strong. How many of us have house and after years we have to relevel our foundation? Even the strongest of structural engineer has to have work done to keep the foundation intact!!
I feel like this article has inspired me to be a detective, looking for clues throughout scripture to answer these questions. Lol.
I found another answer to this question:
2 Chronicles 34:27:
"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what He spoke agaibst this place and it's people, and because you humbled yourself before Me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, i HAVE HEARD YOU, declares the Lord."
Then again, it wasn’t truly Moses' success, it was God's. Which leads me to wonder, does our humbleness, open the doors for God to use us in a derper way, so that HE, and He Alone, can gain the glory?..... because, ultimately, that's the whole ourpose of our existence,... to bring God Glory. Ephesians 1:12
I have been chewing on this topic ever since it's publication. I'm not sure where it fits as far as seed, root, fruit, or anything like that, but one thing that i can see in my own life, as well as those around me, is the need for acceptance. It can be powerful enough to cause prople to do some really, really crazy things!!!! Whether it be a new neighborhood, a new social club, a new school, a new job or position advancement, or a new faith-based community or "tribe," even our own biological family/siblings.
Yes, there is an element of how those who are already established in that community, treat the "new kid on the block." But i think a larger portion of it is WITHIN ourselves!
An important concept we were taught as nurses is that it can look, from the outside, as if a patient has a great support system around them,, (and it is even possible that the famly, neighbors, small group, etc., truly believes that they are doing everything they are capable of), but if, for whatever reason, that patient does not feel supported from their perspective, that is what is going to be pivital in the patient's outcomes!!
I believe there are powerful things that those around that individual can do to help, like speaking words of affirmation into them. But ultimately, the patient has to decide if they are going to chose to believe the positives, or the negatives. That is an acr of the will to decide to step out in faith and act uoon the positives.
When I have observed serveral businesses that have taken a nosedive, many times due to a change in culture/atmosphere, etc. In hindsight, i can see that the leadership had a chsnge in "advisors."
This is demonstrated in 1 Kings 12. Rehoboam didn’t much care for the older generation of advisors that had counseled his father. He preferred his friends instead.
It is VITAL that our advisors be rock solid in scriptural insight and in living that out. Just because they're the "older generation" doesn't mean we don't know a thing or two.
My Mother used to say, "you’ve never been my age, ... I've been your age..."
Being accountable to those individuals and allowing them to speak truth in love to us, even if it does sting in the moment, is SO critical.
Satan’s target is Christians primarily leaders. Pride, most often is the fruit of comparison. Satan compared himself with God, wanting to be greater than God-raise himself above God. Notice when Jesus caught his disciples arguing about who would be the greatest- how did he correct them? Explaining how the kingdom works- revealing the greatest in the kingdom of God will be the servant of all. Jesus drove this principle home at the last supper by doing what? By washing their feet! He drove the principal home before his crucifixion. Thereby removing the temptation to compare themselves with anyone.
Dang. That’s good David! Comparison! Yes!!
Great point to remember!!
This may have already been talked about but another sneaky way pride makes its way into our lives is through our sometimes futile attempts to be humble. We catch ourselves comparing ourselves to those around us and in an attempt to squash pride we try to diminish ourselves in our head or even with our words. However, by thinking this way we are still placing ourselves above others because we are saying that we are in a place that was above others and needed to bring ourselves down. This is a false humility that is rooted in pride. It's not about making myself less than those around me, it's about realizing that what's great about me came from a loving Creator who also created everyone around me with greatness inside of them. I don't need to compare my greatness doesn't need to be compared to yours, I just need to remember where greatness comes from in the first place.
Bro that’s really good! Thanks for adding this to the convo!
I'm wondering if, when we forget who our God is, and we forget to truly surrender certain situation to Him and trust Him with the battle (because the battle ultimately, belongs to Him) discouragement, frustration, etc., can take over and tempt us to say and do things, to make poor decisions, that may not necessarily be who we truly are, or where our heart is... that is the enemy's goal.
I had a situation yesterday with a family member, which in praying about it this morning, caused me to ponder this topic. The family member, and later myself, were both in a position of discouragement. Causing us each to say and do things, that were not necessarily in alignment with God's way. Thus, I learned not to panic, yet not to make decisions or judgements, based from one weak moment of anyone.
This has probably already been said or, at least, referred to in some way, but this morning I am amazed at how, when I was discouraged, and I humbly told God, "I can't figure this one out. IDK how to fight this battle, I desperately need YOUR help, please show me, teach me, guide me."
I gave up thinking it all through (or trying to anyway, I decided I cannot lean on my own understanding regarding this situation, or any situation, for that matter!!) and decided to just spend my time in WORSHIP...
That's when he came through!!
I then sat down to read my Bible,... and low and behold,... there it was, right in front of my face!!
Habakkuk 2, verses 3, 4b, 14, 20 and Habakkuk 3, verses 3, 4, 16-19.
(Someone needs to write a song with those passages!!!😊)
It was SO very clear to me!
This battle belongs to HIM, and Him alone. I will worship Him.
Blessings,
Hey, i just found the answer!!
Joshua 1:3-9 !!! Particularly, verse 7-8.
There ya go!
I'm so excited I'm ready to jump outta my skin!!!
We were just talking about that last evenin, werent we?!?!! About staying in the Word!!!
Interesting that you should ask!
It's a deep topic!!
God has a habit of far surpassing my wildest imagination,.... as He did this week! I had no idea that God could do THAT much work on the inside of a person in less than a week!!... (sometimes it seems like progress can be S.L.O.W.!, but obviously, not this week! Lolol))
But it was along this very train of thought!
I think that one helpful way to avoid "falling from grace," is to realize that we do not fight against flesh & blood. If we stay mindful of who the true enemy is and that his goal is to take us ALL down, we stay mindful that that could be us, at any moment! Staying humble enough, that when we do fall (because none of us are perfect!) to be teachable is vital. To allow God to show us where and how we became vulnerable is important. I believe that can only hapoen by staying in the Word and in prayer and using our other weapons (such as worship and, definitely in serving!). I once heard the saying, "Either the Word will keep you fron sin, or, sin will keep you from the Word!" However, I'm' not sure, this idea of a verse a day keeps the devil away was really what was meant in that saying....
But having someone around us who we trust and that is willing to speak truth in love to us and say, "is that in alignment with scripture?" Is important.
Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And that can include our faith, hope, passions, calling, etc., etc. BUT GOD, is a merciful, compassionate, & forgiving God.
Another way that Satan uses to weaken our defenses, is to tempt us to not care for the temple of the Holy Spirit as we should. Satan has provided many idols to Americans that are so cleverly disguised that many have no idea that they are truly idols. (God is opening my eyes to more and more on a regular basis!!) As Christians, we are tempted to live too close to the culture around us... we are suppose to be set apart. The excuse is, many times, "but it's harmless..." Those idols steal our health, our time, our energy, etc. When we are distracted, busy, tired, not well nourished, we are weakened.
Prolonged stress is a very common way the enemy gets in!! The effects of prolonged stress depletes magnesium. A magnesium deficiency can cause mood instability and poor decidion making. It also causes an overload of cortisol and stresses the adrenal glands. With prolonged stress, when the adrensl glands are stressed, other organ systems decrease function to conserve energy in order to respond to the "fight or flight" resoonse. Which can cause hormonal diruprions of various and multifaceted degreees. Again, causing poor decision making.
Rest and taking time away from the source of stressors is pivital!!! True rest, that is!
Our emotions is another area of vulnerability.
I believe that we all experience hurts, rejection, etc. Which can breed fear, particularly, fear of failure. Which can, in turn lead us to trying to avoid both more hurt & failure by depending on performance and perfectionism..... kinda, sorta, a chain reaction, if you will.... honestly, i hadn't thought deep enough, YET, (lol), to get to the subject of pride.... because, now that i think throught it, those, ultimately, boil down to, "i need and can, fix this myself" an unconscious belief that we can get along ok, if we just try hard enough, without Jesus.
OUCH!!
There it is, that pride thing!
This week, my mind has been on the Israelites. They left Egypt, but..... Egypt didn’t leave them. It is SO VERY critical that when we experience hurts, as we all do, to do as Nehemiah did in closing the gaps in the walls against the enemy. Because, when we have open gaps in the walls of our hearts, we are open to the enemy coming in, and going out. Causing all types of chaos in and around us. We, unfortunately, hurt others. All these emotions can lead to bitterness. I personally believe that when bitterness sets in, it becomes a free-for-all in opening oursekves to manipulation, vindictive behavior, etc., etc. It becomes a very dangerous downward slide!!
Filling in those gaps in the wall, takes dependence upon Goc. Let God have His job back, which is the TRUE HEART CHANGE AND HEALING.
My job is #1) to have a heart like Joshua & Caleb, not like the other 10 spies that discouraged the entire Israeli community.
I was just telling people in a meeting this morning that I've come up with a new mantra, or blueprint for my life;
"I want to speak faith, not fear; i want to speak victory, not victimhood, i want to speak God's promises, not be a pawn in the hand of the eneny, i want to speak God's Word, not Satan's worries!"
Our words matter!!!!
#2) Put acrion to our faith in whatever areas God is speaking to us in. That's harder than it sounds because it requires our action IN SPITE OF OUR FEAR!!! We havevto focus on faith, not fear. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
#3) Pray, love, and serve our enemies!! Because, ultimately, humsn beings are NOT the enemy, Satan is. And we are just as vulnerable as the next person. (Staying humble and surrendered to God.
Well, folks, is that enough for one day?? Any other thoughts? Bring 'em on!!
This discussion is good food for thought! I LOVE a good, stimulating conversation that makes me REALLY think!!
So timely. I taught on this a few weeks ago. What’s so amazing were all the comments I received from people about how proud they were, that they don’t struggle with pride. Lol
Proud that they don't struggle with pride. That's hilarious! Thanks for reading Robert!
😅🤣😂
Don't we all struggle with pride? Albeit, to different degrees, but, nonetheless, we struggle....
As many times as I've read the book of Zephaniah, yet a few weeks ago, as I was reading through it again, it suddenly struck me that the main theme throughout, is pride verses humility. So much so that under the title of the book, I wrote that exact thing in capital letters. The book of Zephaniah s.p.e.l.l.s it out!
Personal time on a daily basis spent with Father is the only thing that keeps us humble and dependant on Him. When we soak in the accolades on what a fine job we are doing we tend to take the credit and pride is given fertile ground. The next thing you know Ole Jeds a millionaire. Jed being pride and relationship becoming destitute.
“Fertile ground”
Love that thought Timothy. Great word there!
I've heard it said, "Either the Word will keep us from sin, or sin will keep us from the Word." But I'm not sure it means the new idea going around these days of, "a verse a day keeps the devil away." I think it means TRULY reading and meditating and digesting and aligning our lives with His Word. I think it means LOVING His Words as TRUTH and LIFE. Aligning every single area of our lives with His Words!
Just sayin'
Jon, let’s start with question how do we stop this from happening..::?
I think that potentially it already has started in all of us to a greater or lesser extent…
I am pondering on how do we start to take ground back from the enemy?
Well we know it has to be a monumental move Of Gods Spirit and not our will and might!
I am reminded of Joseph in the cell with the Cupbearer he pleads with him to tell pharaoh all about Joseph and what does the Cupbearer do forgets him , yet God doesn’t but Joseph has to
Learn to rely wholly on God…?
But how do we stop or prevent this from happening, well there is no sure fire way but here is my starter for 10 …
1 - if I want the promotion the recognition, the. In Gods eyes I am not ready for it…
2 if I want to speak in the pulpit and use contacts to say here look at me this is what I did in my old church .. Then once again I fail miserably
3 if I use my contacts in the church or surround my self with people who like me let them help me and by pass God, then I once again fail at the first hurdle
I hope you don’t think I am alike all of the above, but you got me thinking
Then how in the dickens do you do it, well I don’t think you can but if your will is in line with God then maybe just maybe..
But .. But No buts you can’t !!!
But He can !!!! When he is ready
But that makes me feel frustrated angry fed up vexed all the better people are getting the positions the pay the recognition ! That’s all very jolly inconvenient…
Then I hear God saying But Stephen as he uses my full name I thought you wanted to walk in my footsteps, you go down that route I will not be with you your mission will fail!!
Ouch but Lord!!
No I will not deviate but if you fallow in my footsteps I will bless you more than you can possibly imagine…
So what I think I am saying is when our flesh says this we need to try our hardest to hear the voice of God and chances are he will lead you in completely the opposite direction.. in the path of Success as a releader?
You did ask Jon 🤗😂
So that’s my starter for 10
Great thoughts Steve. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I do believe it is important to have accountability and those things, but the scary thing is, you can do all the right things: get the right app on your phone, have a healthy board and governance, never travel alone, give all your passwords to our spouse...and still fall. Now don't get me wrong, we should do all of those things...I do.
But I can ride in a golf cart with someone, them have the score card, and still cheat without them knowing it. (pull out the old foot wedge when theyre not looking).
It's a scary topic.
Maybe it boils down to proximity? Exodus 33...Moses tells God, "if you won't go with us, then don't even send us." Somehow Moses knew that if he had God's presence, he had all he needed.
I think over time, leaders start to gravitate towards things other than God. Money, fame, validation, etc.
Anyway, great convo. I hope more people log on here and comment.
Proximity, bingo, i think that's where it is!! A REAL relationship with the living God, no mayter what we have to do to keep that flourishing.
I've been reading a lot in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and a few of the minor prophets. A theme that has been poppingvout to me is that the Israelites began to worship God out of routine. It became rituals and tradition instead of truly from their heart.
Proximity, yep, there ya go!
Yes, we still may not get it perfect. We still may go through times of severe trial, but it's where our heart is in oyr mess ups, God will keep is in the palm of his hand if we are truly trusting in him.
Jon, Steve, and Rachel,
Great conversation on such a tough subject. As I read this article, my mind went to The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast. How can pastors shift so far off the proverbial track of shepherding?
I think pride is the root cause, and I think it's also forgetting what we were rescued from. A couple of weeks ago, I felt led to study Jeremiah in depth. I'm reading it from the Wesley Study Bible, one chapter, one day at a time. Oh, how quickly Israel forgot who rescued them from the bondage and slavery of Egypt, and instead of looking forward, they looked backward and began to walk in their "own counsels" (Jer. 7: 24). Instead of learning from the moral failures of the northern kingdom, Judah surpassed Jerusalem's wickedness and felt no remorse for their harlotry. Wesley says, from his view of God's perspective, that Judah cannot "frequent my house, and yet retain these odious sins." From the day they walked out of Egypt, God provided for them. He rained manna and quail from heaven, supplied water from a rock, and daily He sent servants and prophets to speak to them, but they chose to trust in the wrong voices and ignored the voice of the Lord.
They no longer had broken spirits but prideful, arrogant spirits. It sounds despicable, but if we are not careful, we, too, will become like Judah, and instead of worshipping the Creator, listening to His voice, and building His Kingdom, our motivation will shift to worship of and satisfaction of self, following our own voice, and building our own kingdom. Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." When we follow our own counsel or listen to voices that elevate our wants, wishes, and desires over God's, our path will end in destruction, and we will not be the only ones affected.
Preach it, Sister!!!!
That right there should be enough to take our pride down a step or two, right??!!
This is so very true! Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy even our passions, our dreams, our callings. And the harder we try to "make it work" the more messed up it becomes, for sure!!! A couple of months ago, i had to come to the point of completely entrusting it back into the hands of Father God because I could see that the enemy was trying to steal it from me. I said, "God, if i continue to hold this is MY hands, the enemy can steal it from me, because i keep messing it up, i am turning this over to You and entrusting it i to Your hands for safekeeping, that way i know Satan cannot steal it from You. You do with it as You wish, it's Yours!
It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition is gone, pride is gone.
In order to stop competing with other women, we must stop comparing. C. S. Lewis once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
As I’m reading this, God laid on me the idea of just one more. In some churches, we find that the Pastor is always about just one more. We need just one more campus, let’s add one more Pastor, I need to write just one more book, the idea of just one more. When you start seeing this pattern, I also see greed, the root for all failings!!
I’m not saying, that the one more is not right but watch how the one becomes!! When doing the one more, how much connection do you have with your foundation? How much time is spent with on that foundation? When the growth happens, are we forgetting the foundation? In any structure the foundation most be strong. How many of us have house and after years we have to relevel our foundation? Even the strongest of structural engineer has to have work done to keep the foundation intact!!
I feel like this article has inspired me to be a detective, looking for clues throughout scripture to answer these questions. Lol.
I found another answer to this question:
2 Chronicles 34:27:
"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what He spoke agaibst this place and it's people, and because you humbled yourself before Me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, i HAVE HEARD YOU, declares the Lord."
Isn't that just beautiful??!!
Maybe much of the success of Moses came from his willingness to be humble..... hmmm.... a thought to ponder....
And when he wasn't,... opps, ...well,... we all know that part of the story.... right?
Then again, it wasn’t truly Moses' success, it was God's. Which leads me to wonder, does our humbleness, open the doors for God to use us in a derper way, so that HE, and He Alone, can gain the glory?..... because, ultimately, that's the whole ourpose of our existence,... to bring God Glory. Ephesians 1:12
I have been chewing on this topic ever since it's publication. I'm not sure where it fits as far as seed, root, fruit, or anything like that, but one thing that i can see in my own life, as well as those around me, is the need for acceptance. It can be powerful enough to cause prople to do some really, really crazy things!!!! Whether it be a new neighborhood, a new social club, a new school, a new job or position advancement, or a new faith-based community or "tribe," even our own biological family/siblings.
Yes, there is an element of how those who are already established in that community, treat the "new kid on the block." But i think a larger portion of it is WITHIN ourselves!
An important concept we were taught as nurses is that it can look, from the outside, as if a patient has a great support system around them,, (and it is even possible that the famly, neighbors, small group, etc., truly believes that they are doing everything they are capable of), but if, for whatever reason, that patient does not feel supported from their perspective, that is what is going to be pivital in the patient's outcomes!!
I believe there are powerful things that those around that individual can do to help, like speaking words of affirmation into them. But ultimately, the patient has to decide if they are going to chose to believe the positives, or the negatives. That is an acr of the will to decide to step out in faith and act uoon the positives.
Just my opinion....
When I have observed serveral businesses that have taken a nosedive, many times due to a change in culture/atmosphere, etc. In hindsight, i can see that the leadership had a chsnge in "advisors."
This is demonstrated in 1 Kings 12. Rehoboam didn’t much care for the older generation of advisors that had counseled his father. He preferred his friends instead.
It is VITAL that our advisors be rock solid in scriptural insight and in living that out. Just because they're the "older generation" doesn't mean we don't know a thing or two.
My Mother used to say, "you’ve never been my age, ... I've been your age..."
Being accountable to those individuals and allowing them to speak truth in love to us, even if it does sting in the moment, is SO critical.