A Word to Leaders

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (James 3:1)

God expects all His children to be leaders. Although that notion can be exciting and should be honored, it also comes with great responsibility. We should never use our leadership to manipulate others.

I know many pastors and preachers who know what to say in order to get more offerings or to become more popular on social media or in the “Christian world.” But when you use your gifts to use people and not to simply obey the calling that is on your life, you will end up having greater judgment come against you, both in this world and in the one to come.

I always tell young ministers not to be in a hurry to get behind a pulpit because if you teach things that are not in the Bible and say things to manipulate people, there will be a price that you pay.

God is not mocked. If you sow dishonesty, discord, and disinformation, there will be a return of the same in your life.

Leadership is an honor that should be taken with great gravity. It is an honor to lead people to Jesus. Ensure that you are not leading them to yourself. It is a privilege to speak God’s Word. Make sure that you are not speaking your opinions instead.

It is a blessing to help others with wisdom and revelation. Do not simply give advice.

Always lead from a place of honor and a place of peace, receiving regularly from God.

Practical Application

You are a leader. You may never stand behind a pulpit or counsel people in an office, but you are a leader. Think about how you are interacting with those around you. How are you speaking to them? Are you leading others closer to Christ, or are you trying to become more popular in their eyes by conforming? Be the leader you are called to be.

Romans 2:21; 1 Corinthians 4:2

It’s All About the Heart

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. (Revelation 2:14-15)

There is a warning in Revelation 2:14-15 about people who take portions of Scripture and corrupt them for their personal gain. Jesus called that the doctrine of Balaam. Some people in the church at Pergamos were corrupting what God had said with the intention of gaining more resources and money. Just as Balaam’s false and manipulative words became a stumbling block for the people of Israel, the errant teaching in the Pergamos church made them ineffective for the Lord.

The false doctrine made people feel good. It said they could take part in sinful feasts that celebrated false gods with drunken revelry. It said fornication wasn’t a sin against God. Why? Because if the people felt good about their sin, they would give more to the leaders who allowed them to commit such acts.

Many preachers have done the same and used the Word of God as a means to an end. They preach about false doctrines of grace and minimize preaching what the Word says about sin so they can amass a following who will financially support their church or ministry.

This is nothing more than rebellion against God.

Now remember, these leaders in the church at Pergamos started out holy, called, and anointed. God still had a heart for them because Jesus called upon them to repent. We all miss it and teach things that are much more about our background, our experience, or our feelings, but those things can end up being entirely wrong. You may be wrong about it, but your heart was right. And when your heart is right, your teaching can be corrected, and you can be restored.

Practical Application

Why do you do what you do? Your heart is the most important aspect of your ministry. We are called to love God and love others through our actions. Are your actions at work or at home telling a story of love and mercy?

Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:6

Comparison, Condemnation and Cain

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. (1 John 3:11-12)

In his first epistle, the Apostle John warned believers about the dangers of comparison and condemnation. He is said that instead of judging and comparing each other, we should love one another with the same love that Christ loved us.

To illustrate the danger of comparison that kills compassion, John used the story of Cain and Able from Genesis.

Cain and Abel were the first sons of Adam and Eve. You can read about them in Genesis. Obviously, Adam had taught the boys about worship and sacrifice, and we see the two of them bringing their sacrifices before the Lord. Abel brought his best to worship the Lord with excellence of heart. Cain, on the other hand, brought his leftovers. He was giving to God because it was required of him. He didn’t give willingly, but rather grudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:1).

As Cain looked at Abel’s offering, he started comparing Abel’s worship to his own. That comparison ate away at Cain. His own heart condemned him so much it made him angry at his brother for being righteous. His anger grew until it got to a boiling point, and that comparison and condemnation led him to murder his righteous brother out of jealousy.

John tells this story to illustrate how we ought to love one another. First, we are to do it without comparison; do not judge the motives of your brothers and sisters in Christ and do not fall into condemnation when you see someone else succeeding.

God is love, and as children of His, we are called to love with mercy and grace.

Practical Application

When you are tempted to compare your faith to someone else’s, your giving to someone else’s, or your blessings to someone else’s, decide to celebrate them instead of judging them, knowing that your turn to celebrate will come soon as well.

2 John 1:5; John 13:34