Scriptures That Haunt Me
It seems in the day and age in which we live there is this great urgency to be a leader, a teacher, a minister, recognized, as if it was some status symbol to be attained to. These thoughts seem rampant and prevalent in the church today. Sadly, many are clawing or buying their way into positions they do not belong in causing much damage to Jesus’ sheep, God’s people. With these thoughts in mind let me lay out some of the Scriptures that still to this day, 44 years into ministry, haunt me; and they should haunt all who aspire to be in such a position.
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” James 3:1 NKJV
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6 NASB 1995
The things that I have heard just within the last 2 weeks about Leaders today have me absolutely appalled:
Apologizing to alternate lifestyle groups on behalf of the church because the church is wrong.
Stating that Jesus was in error 85% of the time because He was not operating in His calling.
Ridiculing people because they were the wrong body type for this ministry, giving off the wrong image.
These are just a few that should make any leader cringe. Can we please stack them up against these 3 verses of Scripture?! I dare say if we took these 3 Scriptures to heart we might just have the reverential fear of the Lord upon our lives!
Whatever happened to not many of us becoming teachers because we incur a stricter Judgement? Let’s face it folks, if we are in leadership, YOU ARE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD!
We are great at quoting that no one should despise our youth (could be physically or spiritually) but we rarely quote the BE THOU AN EXAMPLE part of the verse! Where did that go?
Whatever happened to leaders being concerned about causing little ones to stumble? Does anyone in their right mind believe that any of the three scenarios I have recently heard about would not cause folks to stumble?!
We must do better in leadership! These Things Ought Not Be! But sadly they are. Why aren’t more (quote on quote) “Leaders” haunted by these same verses of Scripture? Could it be that perhaps they became leaders and don't belong being leaders? Some things do need to be called out.
I for one as a personal practice, and those that know me know this to be true, I never publicly name names; but I do come against false doctrine and wrong practices which are evident, refuting them with TRUTH. If you happen to know who is teaching or practicing these things, then you might have an idea of who I may be thinking about.
