Endtime Indications - 1/23/8
Rate cuts expected as governments try to calm world markets*
=B7 Brown to meet French, Italian, German counterparts
=B7 Demand for new regulations as US Fed slashes rates
* Patrick Wintour and Andrew Clark in New York
* The Guardian,
* Wednesday January 23 2008
This article appeared in the Guardian on Wednesday January 23 2008 on
p1
of the Top stories section. It was last updated at 02:21 on January 23
2008.
A pedestrian walks in front of a financial display screen in London
on
Tuesday January 22 2008. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Britain was pushing last night for an emergency meeting to calm
financial markets as governments around the world tried to reassure
nervous investors. Gordon Brown has convened Downing Street talks
with
his German, French and Italian counterparts to discuss banking
regulation and ways to disclose banks' bad debts more quickly.
In an attempt to avoid a repetition of the current credit crisis, the
prime minister will call for measures to improve transparency in the
banking system, to coordinate national regulators, to review the role
of
credit rating agencies, and to strengthen the management of liquidity
risks.
The move came after another frantic day of trading in global markets
which prompted the US Federal Reserve to make an emergency cut in
interest rates.
It also led Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, to warn
last
night that Britain faces its biggest economic challenges in more than
a
decade in the coming year and predict that economic activity could
slow
"quite sharply" in the short term.
In its biggest one-day reduction in rates for two decades, the Fed
slashed the cost of borrowing by three-quarters of a percentage point
to
3.5%. Its action followed a secret meeting on Monday night convened
in
response to a dramatic sell-off in European and Asian markets.
The intervention provided temporary relief for the markets, sending
the
FTSE 100 index up 161 points to close at 5,740, after an early fall
of
more than 200 points. But the turmoil continued in stock markets
around
the world on another day of extraordinary volatility:
=B7 US shares fell 460 points in the first five minutes of trading
yesterday after being closed for a holiday on Monday;
=B7 Trading was halted in India and other markets as shares fell
sharply.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 8.7%, bringing its total loss over two
days
to $321bn;
=B7 Japan's Nikkei index suffered its biggest one-day fall in a decade;
=B7 The Australian stock market experienced its worst ever one-day
decline.
Brown may face a struggle in persuading European governments to adopt
his proposals. The Northern Rock crisis has damaged the credibility
of
Britain's light-touch approach to regulation, after images of queues
building up outside the stricken lender were seen round the world.
Ministers offered reassurance that the UK economy can withstand
global
turbulence but there were more signs of financial misery in the US.
The
international gloom has been prompted, in part, by concerns that a
$150bn package of tax cuts outlined by George Bush on Friday would be
insufficient to avert a US recession.
The Fed's rate cut came a week before its scheduled rate-setting
meeting, a sign that it saw the situation as unusually serious. In a
statement the central bank cited "a weakening of the economic outlook
and increasing downside risks to growth".
Henry Paulson, the US Treasury secretary, welcomed the move: "I think
it
shows this country and the rest of the world that our central bank is
nimble and can move quickly in response to market conditions."
Economists have criticised the Fed's chairman, Ben Bernanke, for
failing
to take decisive action earlier, since defaults in America's mortgage
industry have been reverberating since the summer.
"Right now it's 50-50 whether you're going to have a recession in
America," said John Silvia, chief economist at the US bank Wachovia.
"In
the first quarter, growth will be negative and the Fed is struggling
to
keep it in positive territory for the second quarter."
Defaults on so-called sub-prime mortgages in America kicked off the
crisis, causing a slowdown in consumer spending and huge write-offs
of
liabilities by big Wall Street institutions.
The Fed's cut will increase pressure on the Bank of England to follow
up
December's quarter-point cut in interest rates with further action.
Analysts suggest that there could be a sharper cut in rates at the
monetary policy committee's February meeting. But the former treasury
minister Ed Balls, a close Brown ally, said Britain's already low
interest rates and low inflation would provide insulation against
problems elsewhere in the world.
Alistair Darling, the chancellor, said on Monday evening that times
were
"very difficult and turbulent". The Treasury pointed out that Britain
is
forecast to be the fastest growing economy in the G7 this year.
But Brown's move to call the No 10 meeting runs the risk of
backfiring.
Britain initially offended the Italians and the European commission
by
envisaging the event as a discussion between France, Germany and the
UK.
The meeting is intended to signal that the EU economy remains sound.
The Dow Jones yesterday opened with a 460 point drop. But by the
close
it had pared back its losses and was down by 128 points to 11,971.
1-1-11-Prayer
"Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire
to live honorably in everyway. I particularly urge you to pray so
that I may be restored to you soon." (Heb. 13:18-19).
Leaders recognize the need for prayer, Christian leaders are
especially vulnerable to criticism from others, pride (if they
succeed); depression (if they fail), and Satan's constant efforts to
destroy their work for God. They desperately need our prayers!
For whom should you regularly pray?
Read John 17:1-26
Jesus prayed for his disciples, including those of us who follow him
today. He prayed that God would keep his chosen believers safe from
Satan's power, setting them apart and making them pure and holy
uniting them through his truth. The lives of Jesus' disciples reveal
his character, and he is present to the world through them.
Does your life reveal Jesus' character and presence?
Jesus prayed for all who would follow him, including you and others
you know. He prayed for unity, protection from the evil one, and
sanctity (holiness), knowing that Jesus prayed for us should give us
confidence as we work for his kingdom.
What two phrases sum up your goal for the past year? How does this
relate to God's purpose?
How are your prayers for others like and unlike Jesus' prayer? Do you
prayers reflect the short-term urgent, or the long-term important
needs that people have?
If Jesus prayed only for the urgent needs of his disciples, how would
this prayer be different?
Goals
Participants may:
1. Discuss together the what and the how of prayer.
2. Deepen their relationships with one another by seeking God in
prayer with other group members.
3. Experience together the joys and difficulties of prayer.
4. Become better able to pray with others.
5. Experience Christian community in prayer.
Opening Prayer
Lord God, you invite us to approach you freely in prayer. Teach us to
approach you confidently both alone and in the company of others.
Teach us how to lead others into your presence, to go hand-in-hand
with them to the throne of grace and love. Amen.
Lead-In
In this lesson, we will learn more about prayer by discussing it and
praying together. We will explore our own feeling about prayer. We
will explore what intimacy with God and with each other can mean as we
pray to him.
Prayer
Prayer is supposed to be matter-of-fact for Christian, taken for
granted as part of the faith environment. Yet it remains one of the
most difficult resources to use appropriately and effectively in
training relationships. This is true for clergy and laity alike, but
especially for lay people. Many believe that praying with someone is
a right limited to clergy. Nothing could be further from the truth.
It is every Christian's right and responsibility to pray with others
as the opportunity arises.
A major reason people are reluctant to pray with others is their
uncertainty as to how to go about it. They are unsure about why they
should pray with others, when to pray, how to pray, what to pray
about, and even where to pray.
While the focus of this lesson will be the use of prayer in more-or-
less structured training sessions, much of this material will apply
to everyday encounters with others. I hope this lesson will reaffirm
your existing skills and suggest new ways to use prayer in training
situations.
Why Pray with Others
God invites his people to draw near and share their concerns with him
by means of prayer. God also specifically invites his people to
approach him in prayer together. James 5:16 urges "Pray for one
another." The context clearly shows that the reference is to two or
more people praying together.
Not only do we pray for each other because God urged it; we also pray
together because Jesus added his special promises to shared prayer:
"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they
ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two
or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of
them" (Matt. 18:19-20).
What a powerful incentive to pray together! When you pray with
another, God is the third party in a training relationship, actively
concerned for you and for the person with whom you are praying. In
prayer God has promised to listen to you attentively, to understand
your needs, and to answer your requests. Thus, your motivation for
praying with others extends far beyond the fulfillment of a religious
formality.
Another reason for mutual prayer is the beneficial effects on your
relationship with the other person. Consider what an intimate
personal experience prayer is. As you are honest with the God "from
whom no secrets are hid," you are also honest and open with each
other. As you draw nearer to God, you will naturally draw closer to
each other.
Intimacy that grows as a result of joint prayer, is intimacy seldom
experienced in contemporary society.
Jesus said:
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to
your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will
reward you" (Matt. 6:6).
Some people think this means that prayer always needs to be very
private and personal, taking place only between God and the person.
The context shows that Jesus is warning against false piety, not
against praying together. He is warning people against parading their
religiosity for others to see. Your purpose in praying with others is
very different. You are sharing their burdens and involving God in
the process.
When to Pray
When It's Natural
Prayer should come as a natural part of a total visit. Because prayer
cannot be programmed beforehand, You need to determine the proper
moment to pray. That judgment depends on the other person's needs,
not yours. In other words, don't pray when you are ready to pray,
but when the other person is ready. Careful listening will help you
ascertain when prayer is appropriate. Your goal is for prayer to be a
natural part of your conversation, not an intrusion or interruption.
Not as an Injection
Prayer should not be tacked on to a visit artificially. It is not an
injection enabling you suddenly to bring in the Christian viewpoint.
If a visit has not demonstrated Christian. If for some reason you do
not include a prayer, this does not mean that your visit is not
distinctively Christian. Whether you pray or not, your entire visit
must reflect Christian distinctiveness through your love and care for
the other person. When you pray, it needs to be part of a total
Christian visit.
Not as a Technique for Leaving
Although it is a common practice to close a visit with prayer, you
occasionally might want to pray with people at times other than the
end of a visit. Prayer is not a technique for closing a visit. There
are obvious and better ways to close such as:
=B7 Good-bye, I enjoyed talking with you today.
=B7 How about if we get together again.
=B7 I need to go now.
A danger of always closing with prayer is that the individual you
visit might come to look on the prayer as a way to say good-bye rather
than communication with God. The person might feel disappointed when
you mention prayer, because it signals that you will be leaving.
Remember that prayer can come appropriately at any time during a
visit.
Not to Manipulate
There is always the danger that prayer might be used as a means of
manipulating another into action that you want to see happen.
This prayer is merely an attempt to force the person's hand by
arousing feelings of guilt. A prayer of this sort will probably have
negative results. If the other person expresses a desire to pray for
a change of heart on some matter, that's different. Then, the prayer
is coming from the expressed needs of the other person, not your own
hidden needs.
How to Pray
Introducing Prayer
Initiating prayer is awkward for some people. What do you say when
you sense that prayer is appropriate? You might want to avoid a
simple declaration like, "Let us pray." You might say something like:
=B7 Would you appreciate a prayer right now?
=B7 We have talked about this problem and you have expressed a
lot of feelings. Would you like to share these with God in prayer?
=B7 You have set a personal goal for yourself. Would you like
to pray about it, asking God for his help?
=B7 I'm really glad things have gone well with you this week.
Shall we share our thanks with God in prayer?
These introductions leave the individual with a choice. Prayer needs
to be a willing response if it is to be true prayer.
When the Person Says No
Most of the time, when you ask someone if he or she would like to
pray, your suggestion will be welcome. Of course, the person can also
say no. On those occasions, he or she will usually give a reason.
One reason could be that the person has already prayed extensively
about the matter. If this is the case, remember that prayer should be
based on the other person's needs, not yours.
Sometimes people say no to prayer because they don't like to pray.
Although you have excellent reasons why prayer is beneficial, you
can't force another to value prayer in the same way. To force prayer
on someone can achieve opposite results from those you intend.
People could also say no to prayer because they prefer to pray
privately and are reluctant to ptay with someone else. While you need
to respect their feelings, you might want to explain gently the
benefits and joys of praying together. However, the final decision on
whether or not to pray is theirs.
Whatever reason people have for saying no to prayer, you need not
become defensive, nor think that you are being rejected. Moreover, as
your relationship develops there might be other occasions when the
person will feel more open to prayer. Be patient.
Addressing God
In prayer of any kind, you begin by addressing God. But what kind of
God are you inviting into the relationship? Remember that God invites
you to address him as your loving Father. Remember - and let your
prayers show it - that God is a loving God who involves himself in the
lives of his children. Jesus Christ, God's Son, became a human being
and shared in all of human experience. He truly understands all of
what you talk about when you pray to him, and knew it beforehand.
Remember it is His will that is important, not His children's will.
The prayer is for us to use as a way of understanding our relationship
to Him.
Honesty
Do not avoid the pain and apparent injustice of a situation. Some
people think they have to "Clean up" their thoughts when they talk to
God. To them feelings like anger, sadness, bitterness, or fear have
no place in prayer. Consequently, they end up being dishonest with
God. Martin Luther's first rule of prayer is "Don't lie to God."
Feel free to share all emotions and experiences with God. God is
loving and understanding and wants honesty from us, not prettied-up
piety.
It is only by sharing painful moments honestly with God that people
find themselves able to grow.
Choosing Meaningful Words
Be sensitive to the needs and expectations of the person you are
with. Choose language that the other person understands and with
which he or she is comfortable. While the age of the person can
affect your choice of words, you need not use language you are
unfamiliar with, like slang with a teenager if you are an adult.
Rather, choose words that are natural for both of you. You might want
to avoid religious expressions such as "thee," and "thou" unless that
is more comfortable for you and the other person.
It is possible to be excessively critical of language or style. If
you find yourself stumbling along and groping for words, keep going.
What to Pray About
Pray about what you and the person you are training wish to clarify in
both of your minds, the relationship of the trainee to his God. This
prevents vague prayer and renders it more meaningful for the other
person. Both you and the other person will benefit if you are clear
about the relationship you will bring to God before you pray.
Building a Prayer
Building a prayer simply means that you and the person discuss what
needs to go in the prayer before you start to pray. As you build a
prayer, you discover the needs of the individual by asking open-ended
questions, enabling the person to express his or her real concerns.
When Someone Asks You to Pray
On occasion another person might request a prayer. You might be
tempted to immediately fold your hands and begin praying. But
remember that prayer should meet the other person's needs - no matter
who suggest it. A good response might be something like: "I would be
glad to pray with you. Before I do, I'd like you to share with me
what you're thinking about and what you would like to clarify before
your God. I think we could share them better with God that way."
This is not an evasion technique, but a way to provide quality
training.
Using Prewritten Prayers
although most of the praying I have talked about so far is
extemporaneous, you could also choose to use a prayer book in your
training. Here are some specific suggestions for the use of prayers
from books or other resources:
=B7 Become well-acquainted with the prayer book you will use.
This enables you to choose appropriate prayers quickly without paging
through the book while the person is waiting.
=B7 Choose prayers that meet the needs of the individual.
=B7 If the person's need is of a nature that the printed prayer
speaks to it generally or incompletely, add a sentence or two that is
more specific.
=B7 Read the prayer in a natural voice and at your normal rate.
=B7 The Psalms are a "prayer book within the Bible." Become
familiar enough with them through study and your own personal
meditation that you can choose a psalm appropriate to a person's
relationship with God without fumbling around.
=B7 The Lord's Prayer is always appropriate, either by itself,
or with another prayer. One of its advantages is that the other
person can join you.
Where to Pray
You can pray with a person anywhere, provided you adjust your style of
prayer to the surroundings. When a visit is in a private home, the
setting is usually conducive to quiet moments of prayer. But prayers
can also be appropriate in public places like a hospital. If you are
with someone in a waiting room, however, you might want to postpone
prayer or move to a place with fewer distractions.
Even in a patient's room, there is not always total privacy. If
another patient is in an adjoining bed, you might want to adjust your
style by praying more softly with the person you are visiting. Or,
depending on the other person's religious orientation, you might want
to include him or her in the prayer. Be sensitive so as not to bully
other people into being included when they do not want to be.
Remember also that the person you are visiting can be in such a state
of crises, pain, or sickness that he or she really needs your
undivided attention. Don't dilute your training to someone who really
needs your intensive training at that moment.
Prayer is our response to God's gracious invitation to share with
Him. It is based on a child's need to communicate and share with his
Father his needs and concerns, trust and commitment, and shared love.
As you go about being a training Christian, both you and the person
for whom you share in prayer will find strength and assurance, knowing
what you share with God is left in the hands of God, who is a loving
Father.
Suggested Prayers
Spiritual Problems and Spiritual Growth
Several Years ago, a publicity-seeking preacher announced that he
would preach the shortest sermon in history. On Sunday morning the
pews were filled as the preacher stepped up to the pulpit to deliver
his "sermon" which had only one word:
"Love."
At a time when the word love has so many meanings, it is possible that
the congregation and perhaps even the preacher failed to realize the
significance of what was being said. The Bible tells us that God is
love, that we can only love because he loved us first, and that Jesus
came to die for us because of God's love. Love has been called the
mark of the Christian. The one who does not love "does not know God,"
but everyone "who loves is born of God and knows God." Clearly love
is at the basis of Christianity - not the transient, self-centered
sentimentalism that forms the foundation of so many modern love songs,
but the giving, patient, other-centered, Christ-honoring, divinely
bestowed love which is described in the pages of Scripture.
Regretfully, many Christians do not feel very loving and neither do
their words or actions express a loving attitude. Many feel defeated
by sin, internal conflicts, and the pressures of life. Some are
frustrated because their growth seems to be so slow. Others are
concerned because their lives seem so joyless, there is no "sparkle"
in their worship, and they are caught in a net of "spiritual
dryness." They read the Bible but the words seem dull and
irrelevant. They pray, more out of habit than desire, but their
actions aren't very loving and their consciences seem insensitive and
blunted.
This is not a state which God desires, but it is a common experience,
perhaps even in the lives of the trainers or potential trainers who
read these words. Training those who have spiritual problems is a
challenge at any time, but it is even more difficult when the trainer
struggles with problems similar to those of the trainees.
Periods of spiritual dryness cause a tremendous amount of suffering in
the life of a Christian.... Inwardly everything is dead in him....
But the world around him needs and expects his love. The sick and the
dying want to be comforted. Hurt and lonely people want to be
understood. His/her family, students, congregation and fellow
Christians want to be ministered to and strengthened. Nobody really
knows what desperation is who has never faced another being craving
help when inside he feels completely empty and dry.
Unlike most of the previous lessons, this one can speak to the needs
of trainers and trainees alike.
The Bible and Spiritual Problems
In an age when people like to be progressive, successful, and able to
get things done quickly and efficiently, it is difficult for many of
us to realize that God is never in a hurry. His goal is that each
believer will mature into Christlikeness, but he knows that none of us
will ever succeed completely, this side of heaven. He wants us to be
holy and to follow in Christ's steps, but he knows that none of us
will ever do that completely. He wants us to "put on the whole armor
of God," but he realizes that we cannot fight life's battles alone.
He wants us to present our bodies to him as "a living sacrifice," but
he realizes that this presentation will not be continuing and
unselfish. He wants us to stop sinning and to flee from youthful
lusts, but he realizes that we are fooling ourselves if we say we have
no sin and so he tells us to confess our sins and expect forgiveness
when we do fall. He sets up a high standard for our behavior because
he is just and holy, but he has provided a Savior to pay for our sins
and failures because he is loving and merciful. He has adopted us as
his children and requires us to "do justice, to love kindness and to
walk humbly" with God, but he is compassionate, gracious, and
"abounding in loving-kindness," because he knows that we are nothing
but dust so long as we remain in this world.
Clearly God has high standards. To expect anything less than
perfection for his human creatures would be to lower his standards and
make him less than God. Along with his holiness, perfection and
greatness, however, there also are divine attributes of love, mercy
and compassion. God is realistic. He knows that we are weak so he
has not left us to stand alone. Inn a spirit of love, he sent his Son
to pay for our sins, and His Holy Spirit to live within, guiding,
strengthening and teaching us. We may think that he is far away, at
times, but he is ever near, sticking closer than a faithful brother.
The goal of the Christian life is to be Christlike in worship,
character and service. In the Old Testament, worship included the
offering of sacrifices to atone for sin. Now that Christ has died for
our sins, "once for all, the just for the unjust," we are to present
our bodies, minds, spirits as a "living and holy sacrifice, acceptable
to God." This commitment of self to God, along with verbal praise, is
how we worship, and give honor and glory to God - our meaning and
purpose in life - thereby preparing ourselves for the "Quality of
Life" here and in our everlasting reward and existence.
But such worship also involves a continuing change in character. We
are not to conform to worldly standards. Instead we are to be
transformed" mentally and in terms of our actions. We are to
disentangle ourselves from sin, to be holy,, to be like Christ, to
walk in his steps and to let the Holy Spirit make us to be people who
are characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness,
fruitfulness and self-control.
The Christian, however, must not be solely God-centered and self-
centered. There must also be service to others. We please God when
we are involved in "doing good and sharing." Indeed, the Christian
view of success radically contradicts that of the world in which we
live. "If you want to be great," Jesus said, in essence, "be a
servant." Humble ourselves, and in due time, he will build us up and
give us the abilities and ministry that we need and want.
Christlike worship (giving glory to God), Christlike character, and
Christlike service (humility) - these are the goals of the Christian
life. And by reaching for these goals, we receive the best "Quality
of Life" here on earth and in our everlasting existence. In one sense
we press on to reach these goals, like a runner straining toward the
finish line. But in another sense we grow not by effort, but by
yielding ourselves completely to his control and direction. Christian
growth, writes Richard Halverson, "is not the struggle to become the
kind of person we think God wants us to be, but a surrender of our
bodies, all our faculties, our right to ourselves, to God - that He
may make us and mold us into the image of His Son, that through us His
life and love and grace might flow."
There is a never ending need for help in Christian growth. This need
is nothing old or new. For centuries, believers have struggled with
spiritual deadness, periods of stagnation, and the need for help in
Christian growth. It could be argued that the entire Bible is written
for such people, teaching us about God, his attributes, and his power
to mold believers into clean vessels, ready for the Master's use and
His reward - Quality of Life.
The causes, effects, training and prevention of spiritual problems are
all discussed in the Bible. No other subjects are more Bible-based
and less illuminated by psychology than the subjects of spiritual
growth and solving spiritual problems. And the Christian lifestyle
trainer alone can help with such problems since it is only the
believer who has "the mind of Christ" to understand and help others
comprehend and assimilate "the things of the Spirit of God."
The Causes of Spiritual Problems
It's probably true that most people who have lived an intensely
religious life have had to struggle through periods of spiritual
dryness and despair. "Often the intensity of such suffering may be in
direct relationship to the intensity of a person's life with God, just
as deep valleys show up only in the face of high mountains." This
realization may be comforting, but it does little to help us solve our
spiritual problems unless we can identify some possible causes.
1. Where We Are. Let us begin with the recognition that for some
people the problem is that they are still nonbelievers: individuals
who may attend church and engage in "good" behavior, but who still are
outside of God's kingdom.
Christianity is not a matter of goodness or badness, of right actions
or wrong. It deals with one's inner nature. It is more concerned
about what we are than what we do. This is stated repeatedly in
Scripture but nowhere with greater clarity than in Ephesians 2.
Prior to conversion we are "dead," controlled by the devil and
separated from God, regardless of our deeds. But it is God who saves
us and makes us his children. This salvation comes not because of our
efforts, but because of his giving us salvation when we completely
yield ourselves to him. "For by grace you have been saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result
of works." When we accept God's gift of salvation, he begins to work,
molding us into the kinds of persons he wants us to be. Since he
created us and knows us intimately, his plan is the best for the
"Quality of our Lives."
For some, the chief causes of spiritual struggles is that the
individuals are still not believers. For others, there has been a
commitment to Christ but there is no real interest in spiritual things
and hence there has been no growth. Such persons may be long-time
Christians but they are "babes in Christ," not much different from
nonbelievers. "Where we are" in terms of our relationship to Christ,
therefore, has a major bearing on spiritual problems.
2. What We Do. Have you ever considered what most disturbed Jesus
during his time on earth? It was not pornography, violence, racism,
abortion or the other things which most rankle us today. Jesus
reserved his strongest attacks to condemn sin and to fight what
perhaps angered him the most - supposedly religious people
representing His Father badly. Both of these can cause spiritual
problems.
(a) Sin. This involves specific acts such a lying, stealing, or
committing adultery, but as used in the Bible sin involves something
more. Sin is any action or attitude which violates or fails to
conform to the will of God. We can sin by what we think, by what we
do or fail to do, and by what we are. Sin is a powerful force which
can master and enslave us, especially when we fail to repent, admit
our sin, or to change from committing that sin. Sin is the major
cause of spiritual stagnation and loss of vitality.
(b) Misrepresentation of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and His
Father. In Jesus' day, the Pharisees were the representatives of
God. They did not interpret His Word properly, imposed their controls
over His, did away with the Love relationships He desired, and
encouraged following rules rather then having a meaningful
relationship with Him through spiritual growth.
But what about spiritual growth? Does this come by following rules?
Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees clearly indicates that the answer
is "no." True spirituality comes when we walk humbly before God with
an attitude of thanksgiving and praise, accompanied by an awareness of
our weaknesses, our tendency to sin, and our need of his continued
grace and mercy. This, of course, does not involve us in a passive
"do-nothing attitude." The Christian must be alert to the devil's
schemes and, as we shall see, prayer, meditation on the Bible,
fellowship, and a sincere attempt to refrain from sin are all
important to spiritual growth. But the power and even the desire for
such holy living must come from God - not from our determination to
follow man-made rules. Clearly the Scriptures condemn both legalism
(the strict keeping of rules) and its twin partners: gnosticism (the
belief that spirituality is gained by superior knowledge) and
asceticism ((the conscious denial of pleasures, experiences and
material things).
3. What We Think. Most human problems, it seems, begin in the mind.
It is our thinking that leads us to self-sufficiency, pride,
bitterness, and non-Christian values - each of which can create
spiritual problems.
(a) Self-sufficiency. This is common in a culture which praises
"self-made men" and universally accepts "rugged individualism." Even
in the church we advocate "determination" and "possibility thinking,"
with little or no reference to the will and power of God. Self-
sufficiency is the mark of lukewarm Christianity. To the believers
who maintained, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of
nothing," Jesus urged repentance and threatened to "spit you out of my
mouth." Self-sufficiency is the absolute antithesis of spiritual
maturity.
(b) Pride. Self-sufficiency and pride go together. Pride involves a
trust in one's power or resources, and a tendency to derive
satisfaction from the contemplation of one's own status, capabilities
or accomplishments, especially as these are compared with others who
appear to have less. It has been suggested that pride is more easily
seen than defined, and more easily detected in others than in
oneself. Pride is self-centered, self-satisfied and ultimately self-
destructive.
(c) Bitterness. According to the writer of Hebrews, bitterness can
spring up to cause trouble and create defilement which apparently
includes immoral and godless behavior. Anger, including bitterness,
was discussed in a previous lesson. It is a powerful and subtle
source of spiritual problems.
(d) Distorted Values. What is really important in life? The answer
to this question is often seen in how people spend their money, their
time (including their spare time), and their mental energies -
especially when their mind is free to "wander." Often, people value
money, selfish pleasures, business success, acclaim and other issues
which are important in the society but destructive to Christian
growth. Such values are subtle in that they draw us away from God and
create a false sense of security.
In contrast to self-sufficiency, pride, bitterness and distorted
values, the spiritually maturing person is transformed mentally, so
that his or her thinking seeks and intends to do the "good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.
4. What We Lack. Both physical problems and deterioration can come
when there is a lack of food, air, rest and other physical
requirements. In a similar manner, spiritual problems are caused by a
lack of those basic ingredients which cause health and growth.
(a) Lack of Understanding. Probably, it would be distressing for us
to know how much spiritual pain and turmoil arise because people lack
understanding and clear biblical knowledge. Consider, for example,
the ideas that we are saved by good works, that God's love and
continued approval depend on our personal actions, that Christian
growth depends entirely upon ourselves, that doubt or sexual urges
will arouse God's wrath, that God punishes acts of disobedience in the
Christian's life, or that God doesn't really care about our needs and
concerns. These and a host of similar misconceptions can create
restlessness, uncertainty, spiritual doubt and apathy.
(b) Lack of Nourishment. Just as a baby never grows without food, so
a Christian never develops without continued prayer and reading of
God's Word, the Bible. For some, spiritual problems come because they
never spend much time "taking in" spiritual nourishment. For others,
there is so much "giving out" that the giver runs dry. It is a
spiritual law, writes Walter Trobish, that "the one who gives out much
must also take in much.... If he gives out continuously without
taking in, he will run dry."
(c) Lack of Giving. People who eat too much become fat and, in
time , uncomfortable. A similar condition can occur in our spiritual
bloating. Christians are not to be a sponge, soaking up and retaining
everything. Instead, we are to be a "sprinkler" used by God to bring
instruction and blessing to others. The essence of Christian love is
giving and sharing - so we don't grow fat.
(d) Lack of Balance. During his three-year ministry, Jesus lived a
balanced life. He ministered, interacted with individuals, rested,
spent time in prayer and worship, and relaxed with friends. He had a
purpose in life, sought God's help in daily living, and took care of
himself spiritually, physically, intellectually and socially.
Many modern people lack this balance. They "run themselves ragged,"
fail to get proper exercise or rest, do not eat a balanced diet, and
are so busy - even "doing the Lord's work" - that their efficiency and
spiritual vitality runs down. A balanced life requires planning,
discipline and a realization that no person in the body of Christ is
so important that he or she is indispensable.
(e) Lack of Commitment. To be a disciple, Jesus taught, one must be
willing to take up a cross and follow him. True Christian growth must
be preceded by a commitment to let Jesus Christ be LORD and CONTROLLER
of ONE'S LIFE. Any "holding back" interferes with spiritual maturing
and contributes to lusterless Christianity.
(f) Lack of the Holy Spirit's Power. The Holy Spirit lives in the
life of every believer, but the Spirit can be quenched and pushed
aside. When that happens, spiritual lethargy is assured. In
contrast, when the Holy Spirit controls a life, that life develops
strength, understanding, unity with others, love, joy, peace, self-
control and the other spiritual fruit - all of which are designed to
bring glory to Christ.
(g) Lack of Body Life. The Christian is part of a group or "body"
which consists of other believers, all of whom are important and
gifted, all of whom love Christ,, and each of whom should seek to
know, love, pray for, help, encourage, challenge, exhort, teach and
minister to the others. When Christians attempt to grow on their own,
to build their Christian "empires" or rise on the Christian status
ladder, they are out of God's will. He has placed us in the body and
expects us to grow there, not forsaking the other brothers and
sisters.
5. What We Fight. Whether or not we consciously recognize it, the
Christian is in a battle. Jesus was tempted when he began his
ministry - and surely at other times thereafter. The giants of the
faith, both those mentioned in the Bible and others, battled the
forces of evil, and the struggle continues today. In this continuing
world war there are no islands of neutrality. We are either fighting
the devil or aligned on his side - in attitude if not in activity.
At times the battle is in the intellectual arena - where confusion,
doubts, nonbiblical thinking, and overt heresy are at issue.
Sometimes the battle is physical as we struggle with disease and
injury. Often the conflict centers around psychological
discouragement, anger, anxiety, guilt and other internal conflicts.
At times - especially when we are tired, not feeling well, emotionally
or intellectually drained, fresh from a spiritual retreat, or basking
in the light of success - the attack is more intense. And at times
each of us loses a battle.
But to lose a battle is not to lose the war. The Bible already tells
us how to prepare, warns us of Satanic tactics, assures us that the
Holy Spirit in us is greater than the devil's forces, and declares
that Satan in time will be banished forever. In the meantime, the
fight continues, and some people crumble spiritually because they are
unprepared and not alert.
6. What We Receive. The sufferings of Job do not really fit any of
the above categories (although it could be argued that Satan was
really battling God by trying to bring down Job). Job's struggles
came from the devil, with God's permission, for reasons which Job
never understood. As we look over the preceding paragraphs perhaps we
see most of the causes of spiritual problems. By identifying the
causes we can identify the place to focus our training. But the ways
of God are not always comprehensible by our little human minds.
Sometimes we must stand with Job, shake our heads, wonder why, and end
with an ultimate trust in the sovereignty of him whose ways re not our
ways and whose thoughts are not our thoughts.
The Effects of Spiritual Problems
Spiritual problems create spiral effects. Many of the causes listed
above also become effects. An attitude of pride, for example. often
leads to more pride. Sinn stimulates more sin. Wrongful
representation of God breeds more of the same. Self-sufficiency,
distorted values, misunderstandings, selfishness, theological error -
these are all like creeping vines which keep getting larger and more
able to squeeze out the vestiges of spiritual life that remain.
In addition to the causes which also become effects, there are other
results which come from spiritual problems in a person's life.
1. Spiritual Effects. When spiritual problems are left unchecked
they can lead to compromising behavior, an increasing tendency to miss
worship services and personal devotions, spiritual naivet=E9, a
decreasing sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading and control,
hypocrisy and phoniness, a boredom with religious activities and a
greater tendency to self-reliance. The fruit of the Spirit - love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control - are experienced less and shown to others with
decreasing frequency.
These spiritual effects are not evident immediately. Many spiritually
dry or dying people are good actors - especially if they know and can
use the accepted theological jargon. Even Moses, whose face once
shone as it reflected God's glory, tried to hide from his fellow
believers. he put a veil over his face so that the Israelites could
not see that the spiritual glory was fading away. Many people do the
same today. They hide their fading spirituality behind a veil of
clich=E9s or pious (but hypocritical) actions. It is not until they
turn to the Lord that the veil is taken away.
2. Physical Effects. It is well known that psychological tension and
conflicts can influence us physically. This is known as psychosomatic
illness. Apparently there is also a spiritually produced sickness and
even death. Not all sickness results from the sick person's sin, but
sometimes sin does lead to illness.
3. Psychological Effects. Guilt feelings, self-condemnation,
discouragement, anger, fears, defensiveness, insecurities, misplaced
values - each of these can have a variety of causes, but each can also
be the result of spiritual deadness or waning vitality.
4. Social Effects. Christian fellowship can be a beautiful
experience, but Christian fights can be vicious. In describing
spiritual immaturity, the Apostle Paul listed two characteristics as
being of special significance: jealousy and strife. When there is
spiritual growing, the barriers between people disintegrate; when
there are spiritual problems, then unkind criticism, cynicism and
interpersonal tension are among the first and clearest signs of
trouble.
5. Evangelism Effects. Confined to a Roman prison, Paul once wrote
about people who were preaching the gospel, not from motives of good
will, but out of selfish ambitions," hoping to stir up envy and
strife. The same situation exists today. Many men and women seem so
intent on building followers or converting people to their own point
of view, that the Person of Christ is forgotten, even though his name
may be mentioned often. The true disciple points people to Christ and
seeks to have a part in building a body of believers that have Christ
as their Lord (and who is control of their lives) not being in man-
controlled lives. When Christ is pushed behind the glory of some
human leader, even a Christian leader, then we surely have evidence of
spiritual insensitivity, distorted values, and deadness in the leader
and/or in the followers.
Training and Spiritual Problems
The approach and course of spiritual training depends largely on the
nature of the trainee's problem. If the trainee raises theological
questions, for example, the training might differ from help given to a
person who is involved in deliberate sin. If a trainee is sincerely
concerned about spiritual lethargy, our approach might differ from
that taken with a trainee who is bitter and unwilling to change. As
with every other type of training, therefore, it is important for
trainers to listen carefully, to show acceptance and empathy, and to
determine - if possible - what the real problem is, and what are its
causes. As you listen and talk with trainees who have spiritual
problems, remember that this type of training involves the following:
1. Prayer. Before, during and after training, the trainer must seek
divine guidance. More than any other form of helping, spiritual
training can involve us in conflict with satanic forces. For this
reason the trainer needs special strength, wisdom and direction. At
times you may choose to pray directly with the trainee. Always you
should spend at least some time alone in prayer concerning the
trainee.
2. Modeling. In a thought-provoking book, David Mckenna has shown
how the life os Jesus should and can be a model for every believer.
But since Jesus is no longer here inn the flesh, the best models that
many people have are Christians in whom Christ lives. On several
occasions the Apostle Paul repeated the theme: "Be imitators of me,
just as I also am of Christ." Peter urged church leaders not to be
"lording it over those allotted to your charge" but instead to "be
examples to the flock." Whether or not we seek or desire the role,
Christians - including Christian trainers - are examples of Christian
living. The trainer who is not seeking to imitate Christ and to grow
as a Christian will not be effective in spiritual training. The
trainer who wants to be effective in training those with spiritual
problems must recognize that he or she is a model which trainees will
follow - and occasionally react against.
3. Exhorting. As used in the Bible, this word does NOT mean "to
preach at someone," to use sharp words or to demand obedience.
Exhortation involves a God-given ability to come alongside to help, to
strengthen those who are spiritually weak, to reassure those who are
wavering in their faith, to support those who are facing adverse
circumstances, and to encourage those who lack assurance or security.
At times the trainer will point out sin, gently challenge the
trainee's thinking or conclusions, encourage the trainee to change,
guide as decisions are made, and give support as new behavior is
attempted.
4. Teaching. Trainers teach by example but they also teach by
instruction. Spiritual training is often a gentle, sensitive form of
Christian education (with the emphasis on the very practical and
personal application), conducted on a very personal - one-to-one
basis. Such teaching may involve giving information, answering
questions, making suggestions, stimulating thinking, pointing out
errors, and sometimes giving advice. The teaching may concern a
variety of issues, often including one or more of the following.
(a) The Attributes of God. Confusion and spiritual problems often
come to those who understand and ponder one or two attributes of God
while overlooking or forgetting the others. To emphasize the wrath of
God without seeing his mercy is to plunge us into fear and guilt. To
stress his mercy and love without his holiness and justice can lull us
into a false sense of security and non-concern about spiritual issues
or responsibilities.
A right conception of God is basic not only to systematic theology but
to practical Christian living as well.... There is scarcely an error
in doctrine or a failure in applying Christian ethics that cannot be
traced finally to imperfect or ignoble thoughts about God.... Among
the sins to which the human heart is prone, hardly any other is more
hateful to God than idolatry.... The essence of idolatry is the
entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him.
God wants us to know him. That, writes James packer, is our main
purpose in life. "Once you become aware that the main business that
you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into
place of their own accord." Knowing God is a continuing challenge
which no human mind could ever complete. It is a process which comes
first by listening to God's Word, seeking to understand, to obey and
to apply it to our lives, through the help and guidance of the Holy
Spirit. Secondly, we know God by thinking about his character as
revealed in the Bible and in the world, and expressing thanks for his
love and fellowship. Third, we know God by obeying his commands.
Then we know God through participation and service in his body, the
church.
The trainer has the challenge of helping trainees to know God. Such
knowledge rarely comes by hearing lectures about God. The trainee
must see God in the trainer's life style, conversation, attitudes and
periodic references to Scripture. Such teaching places considerable
responsibility on the trainer. We cannot teach others to know God
unless we ourselves are growing in this knowledge in the ways
mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Helping trainees to know God,
therefore, requires a knowledge and spiritual depth that far exceeds
the teaching of any course on training.
(b) Christian Love. Love - the giving, sacrificial, unconditional,
Christlike love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13 - has been
called "incomparably the greatest psychotherapeutic agent; something
that professional psychiatry cannot of itself create, focus, nor
release." It is the attribute of God which led him to care for us and
to send his Son to earth so that we might become personally acquainted
with the Divine. Trainees need to hear about God's love. Even more,
they need to experience and observe this love as it flows from God,
through the dedicated trainer 9and other Christians), into the lives
of trainees who feel unloved, unaccepted, guilty, confused and
spiritually needy.
(c) Sin and Forgiveness. The Bible never "covers over" sin or denies
its prevalence and destructiveness. God hates sin and eventually
punishes unrepentant sinners. In contrast, those who are "in Christ
Jesus' are not condemned. God's Son, Jesus Christ, came to pay for
our sins. When we sin, therefore, there is a way to be forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This can be a
liberating realization. God doesn't want sacrifices and penance. He
wants confession and a desire to change. When he hears our confession
he forgives and completely forgets.
The Bible also instructs us to confess our sins to one another. This
is not done to get divine forgiveness, since God alone forgives and
only when we confess to him directly. Confession to others can be
therapeutic, however. Often it stimulates others to forgive us and
sometimes it helps us to forgive ourselves. Confession to others can
also be accompanied by the healing power of prayer.
The trainer must share this biblical perspective on sin and
forgiveness. At times, it will be necessary to confront trainees with
their sin. In so doing, the trainer must show a forgiving,
nonjudgmental attitude. We cannot talk about forgiveness, but refuse
to demonstrate forgiveness.
9d) Holy Spirit Control. It has been said that the most important
thing in the life of any Christian is to be filled with the Holy
Spirit. In Ephesians 5:18 Christians are commanded to "go on being
filled with the Spirit," a process which involves the following:
=B7 self-examination (Acts 20:28, 1 Cor. 11:28);
=B7 confession of all known sin (1 John 1:9);
=B7 complete voluntary submission to God 's control over our
life (Rom. 6:11-13);
=B7 asking in prayer for the Holy Spirit to fill us (Luke
11:13);
=B7 believing that we then are filled with the Spirit, and
thanking God for this (1 Thess. 5:18).
Spirit-filling is not a "once-in-a-lifetime" event. It is a daily
process of "breathing out" sin through confession, and "breathing in"
the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Such repeated filing (which is
somewhat equivalent to "walking in the Spirit") is not always
accompanied by emotional "highs" or ecstatic experiences (although
these do come at times), but it does lead to joyful thanksgiving, to
mutual submission, and to the development of love, peace, patience,
self-control and other fruits of the Spirit.
Many of the spiritual problems discussed in this lesson arise and
persist because believers attempt to solve the problems and grow on
their own. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches, strengthens and
empowers us to meet and overcome the spiritual problems of life.
Trainees must be aware of this foundational truth.
(e) Discipleship. In the Great Commission, Jesus instructed
believers to "make disciples" - a process which involves evangelism
and Christian education. At times, the trainer will want to
evangelize, sharing the good news of the gospel. At times, the
trainer and trainee will discuss the meaning and importance of Bible
study, prayer, trust in God, meditation, discipline in our devotional
lives, and reaching out to others.
We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all
wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for
this purpose I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily
works within me.
With qualifications, it might be stated that this is the trainer's
ultimate purpose. The qualification comes because some well-meaning
but insensitive trainers have been too hasty in presenting the gospel
and urging trainees to make a commitment to Christ. To proclaim,
admonish, teach and present everyone "complete in Christ" is an
ultimate goal, but this can be done too abruptly, too quickly and too
enthusiastically. After seeking the Holy Spirit's leading, the
effective and sensitive trainer gently moves into discussions of
spiritual matters, aware that it is the Holy Spirit who convicts
people of sin and brings them to repentance and growth as disciples.
We are to be divine instruments in that process.
(f) Balance. Trainees with spiritual problems need to be alerted to
the importance of such "non-spiritual" influences as proper diet,
rest, recreation and exercise. Help trainees develp a balanced life
style which avoids misrepresentation of their Lord and self-
sufficiency; deals with pride and bitterness (through discussion,
understanding and prayer); reexamines values, goals and priorities;
eliminates theological misunderstanding; and evaluates the problems of
spiritual undernourishment and overfeeding (with is accompanying lack
of giving).
(g) The Body. Christianity, as we have stated earlier, is not a "do-
it-yourself" religion. God made us social creatures and recognized
that it is not good for us to be alone. Clearly in the Bible, the
church is pictured as a body which has many parts.
Each person in the body is important. Each has been given one or more
special gifts (such as teaching, counseling, hospitality or
evangelism). Each is expected to develop these gifts in order to
serve and "care for one another," and to build up the church, "so that
in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom
belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever."
Christian training can be only minimally effective if it exists apart
from the body of Christ, the church. Believers are instructed to help
one another and bear one another's burdens. When trainees experience
this acceptance and support, they are better able to work on their
spiritual and other problems within the confines of the training
relationship.
(h) The Devil. At times, and in some Christian circles, it seems
that Satan gets more credit than he deserves. The devil is blamed for
all problems, rebuke and exorcism are the preferred methods of
"problem-solving," and there is no place for compassion, understanding
and sensitive Christian training.
In an overreaction to such distorted teaching, it is possible to
forget that Christians are in a battle, that exorcism may be the
preferred method of treatment in some rare cases, and that ever
trainer should constantly be alert to satanic influences in all our
lives. Ephesians 6 warns us to "pray at all times in the Spirit,....
for all the saints." We are to stand firm against the devil, not
trying to resist him with our own strength, but "in the strength of
His might."
Trainees can misinterpret our comments about Satan and sometimes
develop paranoid fears of the demonic. The trainer, therefore, should
use discretion in mentioning Satan and should be alert to correct
trainee misconceptions about the devil. His influence and power
should be clearly understood, alertly recognized, and firmly resisted
with determination and the Holy Spirit's power. Most Christian
trainees will be able to understand both the devil's influence, and
the resounding truth that the Holy Spirit who resides in us is greater
than the devil who is in the world.
Preventing Spiritual Problems
The church exists as a company of God's people, called out from the
world to live for Christ. According to Ray C. Stedman,
The supreme thing, the paramount thing, the thing God is after above
everything else is to produce in this present world men and women who
are like the humanity of Jesus Christ. he does not want white-robed
saints, or accomplished churchmen, or religious experts; what he wants
is that you and I may be grown up, responsible, well-adjusted,
wholehearted, human beings like Jesus Christ!
This task is the responsibility of the church. When the church is
doing its job properly, many spiritual problems will be prevented.
It should be noted, however, that the believer can always expect to
have some trials, tribulations and temptations. Jesus called us to
"take up a cross" in following him. His life on earth was not easy
and he never promised that we would be free of problems. Instead, we
are told that such difficulties can enable us to grow.
In spite of this, the Christian trainee can be taught, through
training but especially through the church, how to prevent some of the
spiritual problems of life. The preventive measures, surely well
known to most Christian leaders, include the following:
=B7 Commit one's life to Christ's control and accept him as Lord
and Savior.
=B7 Develop the practice of regular, consistent prayer and Bible
study.
=B7 Practice the regular confession of sin and filling of the
Holy Spirit.
=B7 Become involved actively in a local body of believers.
=B7 Reach out to others in evangelism, service and fellowship.
=B7 Be alert to the devil and resistant to his influences.
This is not presented as a simplistic formula to prevent all spiritual
problems. It is a basic foundation upon which the church's preventive
and discipleship program must build.
Conclusions about Spiritual Problems
Of all the issues discussed in this book, perhaps none is more
familiar to Christian leaders and trainers than the spiritual problems
considered in this lesson. These problems have concerned godly men
and women for centuries, and the Bible deals with these in more detail
than any of the other issues considered in this course.
Since the Bible speaks so frequently about spiritual problems, some
believers have concluded that ALL of our problems are really spiritual
and that all can be solved through the discovery and application of
some biblical principle. While we can admire the theological
dedication of many who hold such views, this is not the perspective of
the preceding lessons.
Spiritual problems have causes and solutions that most often are
described in the Bible. The Bible, however, never claims to be a
psychiatric diagnostic manual and textbook of Christian lifestyle
training. While all problems are spiritual in that they involve the
trainee's specific relationship with God. For example, problems
caused by faulty learning, misinformation, early traumas,
environmental stress, physical illness, misperception and confusion
over decision-making, may or may not be addressed by biblical
writers. Training people with these problems may use techniques de
rived from Scripture. More often they use methods consistent with the
Bible's teachings and values, but discovered and developed by social
science and common sense.
Christian training, then, is deeply concerned with the issues
discussed in this lesson, but it goes further. It recognizes that all
truth, including psychological truth, comes from God - sometimes
through secular psychology and psychiatry books. The Christian
evaluates such secular findings against biblical teachings and
discards what is inconsistent with the Bible. What remains is then
used, along with and in submission to biblical teachings. The
trainer, so equipped, then seeks to be used by God to touch lives and
change them so that people on earth can be helped to live with greater
meaning, stability, fulfillment, spiritual maturity and "Quality of
Life."
The Leader's Pitfalls
Every year thousands of leaders shipwreck their careers, their
organizations, and their families by making careless, foolish
choices. Why is it that some leaders go from victory to victory, year
after year, while others begin with great promise but eventually crash
into oblivion? This lesson examines ten of the most common pitfalls
that cause Christian leaders to fail.
Pride
pride may well be leaders' worst enemy, and it has caused the downfall
of many. Pride is dangerous to unwary leaders because it can be
subversive in the way it creeps into their lives. Pride shows up in a
variety of disguises, some of them obvious, others more subtle, but
all of them lethal to leaders' effectiveness.
Pride Tempts people to Take the Credit from Others.
It is demoralizing for followers to labor on behalf of their
organization, only to have their leader enjoy the accolades for the
success. Whereas authentic leaders shoulder the responsibility for the
poor performance of their organizations, wise leaders rightfully
acknowledge the efforts of their followers as critical to their
organization's success. Leaders cannot always be as liberal as the
they want with monetary rewards, but they can be generous with the
genuine praise and gratitude they express to their people.
Pride, however, tempts leaders to monopolize the credit for their
organization's success. Pride drives leaders to see the limelight.
pride moves them to magnify their own involvement and to minimize the
efforts of others.
Pride causes Christian leaders to take the credit not only for what
their people have done but also for what God has accomplished.
Christian leaders are God's servants, but pride can cause them to act
as if God were their servant, obligated to answer their selfish
prayers and to bless their grandiose schemes. They direct attention
to themselves rather than to God.
Pride Makes Leaders Unteachable
Pride closes leaders' minds. Their pride convinces them that they
alone possess the depth of insight for success, and they become
impervious to wise counsel. They grow impatient with those who do not
readily accept their opinions. They rob themselves of enormous
potential opportunities, all because they are unteachable.
No matter how talented or how smart a leader may be, an unteachable
spirit is the path to certain failure. If there is any quality common
to all effective Christian leaders, it is a teachable spirit.
Pride Causes Leaders to Think They Are Self-Sufficient
Pastors have stood at the helm of megachurches one week and resigned
in shame the next. Leaders who allow pride to blind them to their
total dependence upon God's grace and the support of their people will
eventually be humbled. Pride exalts people to think they are self-
sufficient. Pride targets successful leaders, convincing them they
have enough talent, wisdom, and charisma to achieve whatever they set
their minds to do. Pride causes leaders to believe they can be
lackadaisical in their obedience to God's Word. Leaders are most
vulnerable in the area of their greatest strength. When they are
enjoying their greatest success is when they are most vigilant against
pride causing them to fall.
Young leaders can fall into the trap of relying solely on themselves,
because experience has not yet taught them otherwise. But older
leaders who should know better are also vulnerable to the pitiful of
self-reliance. Because of their success over the years, some grow to
believe they do not need counsel and support from others in order to
lead. They may particularly disdain the suggestions of younger, less-
experienced colleagues. As a result, they become detached from their
followers and out of touch with the reality of their situation.
Christian leaders must be especially careful not to presume upon God's
blessings. Wise leaders always recognize that they can do nothing
apart from their intimate relationship with Christ (John 15:5).
Pride Leads to a Loss of Compassion
God castigated spiritual leaders who looked upon their followers as
sheep to be fleeced rather than as a flock to shepherd (Ezek.
34:1-10). These would-be spiritual leaders led for what they could
gain rather than for what they could give. The people were being
scattered and abused by others, yet their leaders' only concern was
for their own comfort and gain.
Leadership is a high calling. It is a God-given privilege. Leaders
have the opportunity to enrich the lives of their followers, and they
also have the influence to do so. But when leaders lose the passion
to contribute to their organization and begin to focus instead on what
they can receive from it, they are no longer authentic leaders. They
develop a sense of superiority that regards people as mere parts of
the organizational machinery. They see themselves as entitled to
whatever they can get from their organization.
A sure sign that pride has taken root in leaders' lives is that they
lose compassion for those they are leading. When leaders become
calloused to the hardships of their people, their pride has
desensitized them. Leaders who become preoccupied with their own
personal accomplishments, and are oblivious to the needs of others are
not worthy of the call to lead. Pastors who are unmoved when a church
member is hurting, or who are ambivalent when one of their flock falls
by the wayside, are abusing the privilege of Christian leadership.
History shows that such insensitive leaders eventually meet their
demise. True leaders never lose sight of their responsibility to care
for their followers.
Pride Makes Leaders Vulnerable
Pride is a sin, and pride will do what sin does. It destroys.
Leaders who allow pride to grow unchecked will eventually lose
everything - their relationships, their credibility, and ultimately
their position as a leader.
Sexual Sin
If pride is the most insidious pitfall of leaders, sexual sin is the
most notorious. The media have meticulously chronicled the
spectacular downfalls of leaders who succumbed to sexual temptation.
Sexual sin has the heinous power to destroy a career, a family, and a
reputation, all in one blow. With such lethal consequences one would
think that leaders would fastidiously avoid sexual temptations. Yet
year after year, society recoils under the continuous barrage of
public sexual scandals. This does not have to happen. Leaders can
avoid this pitfall by proactively building safeguards into their
lives.
Safeguard #1: Leaders Make Themselves Accountable
The time to enlist friends ***** partners in accountability is not when
sexual temptation is already a raging inferno but before the first
spark. Time after time, disgraced leaders admit that although they
were surrounded by people, they had no close friends with whom they
were transparent and who were in a position to hold them accountable.
They will say that once they began to stray into sin, they
deliberately avoided those who could have helped. prudent leaders are
proactive; they enlist at least two people as accountability partners
and give them the freedom to regularly question their moral purity.
Safeguard #2: Leaders Heed Their Own Counsel
Leaders should listen to their own counsel. There is probably not a
fallen minister who did not previously warn his church members about
the dangers of sexual immorality. Christian leaders know full well
what sexual sin is as well as the consequences involved. Christian
leaders must understand that they are no more immune to moral failure
than those they are leading. Therefore, as they share their wisdom
with others, they should apply it to their own lives as well.
Safeguard #3: Leaders Consider the Consequences
Leaders should carefully and regularly contemplate the consequences if
they were to commit sexual sin. They guard themselves from the
attitude that they are somehow exempt from the dangers that have
derailed others. They guard themselves from the attitude that they
are somehow exempt from the dangers that have derailed others. They
reflect on the ugly reality of what their sin would do to their
spouses, to their children and to God's name. They think through the
lengthy restoration process that would be necessary for them to regain
the position they were in before they sinned, all the while
recognizing that there really is no going back - while they might gain
forgiveness, they would never be able to undo sin's painful
aftermath. They remind themselves that one careless, selfish decision
could cost them their job, their reputation, their friendships, their
family, and it could severely damage their relationship with God.
Astute leaders cultivate the habit of regularly pondering the
devastating effects of sexual sin. Then, when they are tempted, they
are armed with a vivid awareness of sexual sin's deadly consequences,
and they will not be unwitting victims of sin's treachery (Prov.
7:24-27).
Safeguard #4: Leaders Develop Healthy Habits
Careful leaders can take practical steps to protect themselves from
sexual temptation. Leaders who are married should enlist their
spouses to help them develop habits that will protect them from sexual
sin. Wise leaders take the concerns and warnings of their spouse
seriously. Godly leaders cultivate their relationship with their
spouse so they are less vulnerable to temptations that inevitably
come. Many leaders who travel will set up pictures of their spouse
and children in their hotel room as a reminder of the loved ones they
have waiting for them at home. Astute leaders will also seek the aid
of an administrative assistant to make sure they do not find
themselves in compromising positions with people of the opposite sex.
Leaders can make sure there are windows in their office doors to
protect against even the hint of impropriety.
Safeguard #5: Leaders Pray and Ask Others to Pray for Them
The most practical step leaders can take is to pray that God will help
them keep their lives above reproach. Leaders may be blindsided by
unexpected events, but God never is. God, in his grace, will build a
hedge of protection around leaders who earnestly desire moral purity.
Leaders should also enlist the prayers of their spouses so they know
that wherever they go and whatever they face, their spouse is
interceding with God for them. The tragedy of sexual sin is that it
is just as avoidable as it is devastating.
Cynicism
Leadership is a people business, and people invariably let you down.
Anyone who has led for very long has dealt with people who were
dishonest, lazy, or incompetent. Leaders also inevitably face unfair
criticism. Sometimes people even abuse them verbally. At some point,
people will question leaders' motives and second-guess their
decisions. People who lead will also undergo failure as a matter of
course. Any one of these experiences has the potential to harden
leaders' hearts and to make them cynical. Attitudes, unlike
circumstances, are entirely within the control of leaders. Leaders
who surrender their positive attitude have resigned themselves to be
mediocre leaders at best.
If leaders always focus on their organization's problems and
weaknesses, then the attention of their people will invariably be
drawn there too. When leaders are constantly criticizing others, they
are modeling a critical spirit for their people. True leaders focus
on that which is right and on what gives hope, not on what is wrong.
Unfortunately, leaders who have been criticized in the past or who
have failed in earlier attempts to lead can be skeptical about future
success.
When leaders sense they are developing a cynical attitude, they must
correct it immediately before it poisons their effectiveness and
possibly their health. Without question, a critical spirit in
Christian leaders reveals that their hearts have shifted from God.
Only a conscious decision to return to God will save the leader from
becoming ineffective. A cynical spirit reflects a lack of belief in
God and his ability to do what he says he will do. Christian leaders
have every reason in the world to be positive and optimistic for the
future. They serve the King of kings.
Greed
Like many things, money and possessions can be either good or bad in a
leader's life. While a sizable income is not in itself wrong, the
relentless pursuit of one is. The hunger for wealth and possessions
can destroy spiritual leaders. People valuing wealth above everything
else will strive for jobs that pay more, regardless of whether these
jobs cause great hardship to their families. Christian leaders have
learned that money is not the most important thing in life. obeying
God's will is. Wise leaders do not allow themselves to be enslaved to
money but instead use their money to glorify God.
Wise leaders know that the measure of their success is not the size of
their bank account but the quality of their lives. Astute leaders
invest their lives in things that bring the most lasting and
gratifying rewards.
Mental Laziness
Today's problems are not generally solved through brute strength but
through creative, inspired thinking. problem solving is an essential
function of leadership, so leaders cannot afford to become
intellectually stagnant. Good leaders never stop learning. They seek
the company of wise people. They read books and articles that stretch
their thinking. They read the biographies of great leaders and
thinkers. They don't simply read the popular, predigested books that
flood the market. They find authors who challenge their
presuppositions and who bring fresh insights to their field. Ask true
leaders what they have read lately, and they will readily cite
something they are currently studying. Christian leaders regularly
test what they read against the eternal wisdom found in Scripture.
Christian leaders also allow the Holy Spirit to guide their thinking
so that it is based on God's timeless truths rather than on society's
latest fad. Great leaders are always learning how to become better
leaders. A commitment to learn and to change produces a growing level
of leadership competence. Additional learning is mandatory to keep a
job.
Leaders are not only readers; they are thinkers. True leaders take
time to process the events around them. When a meeting goes poorly,
they don't simply race off to their next meeting; rather, they take
time to evaluate why the meeting was unproductive, and they consider
ways to do things differently the next time. When leaders have
personnel who are struggling, they do not simply fire them or grow
increasingly frustrated with them. Good leaders take time to ponder
what is causing their employees to struggle. Are they the right
people for the job? Have they been properly trained and equipped?
have they been kept informed? Are there factors beyond the employee's
control? Leaders don't jump to conclusions. They process the facts
and seek to determine the truth of their situation. Christian leaders
spend purposeful time with God, allowing him to guide their minds to
the truth regarding the condition of their organization. When mature
leaders receive praise or criticism, they do not accept or reject it
out of hand; they contemplate what has been said so they can continue
to mature as leaders. Difficult circumstances can sometimes catch
leaders by surprise, but once an adverse event has occurred, leaders
seek to master the situation by careful, God-inspired reflection.
Wise leaders continually learn from the events of their lives as well
as from their studies. They never stop learning or evaluating, so
they never stop growing.
Oversensitivity
People who cannot handle criticism need not apply for leadership
positions. Being criticized, second-guessed, and having one's motives
questioned are unpleasant but inevitable aspects of leadership. Great
leaders are not immune to criticism; in fact, the criticism they
receive is sometimes the most venomous. It is impossible for leaders
to avoid being censured. Faced with the inevitability of criticism
regardless of what they do, leaders must make a choice. Either they
stop leading, or they do what they know is right and trust that God
will vindicate them.
If a leader receives ten words of support for every one word of
criticism, which voice will ring loudest? The critic's voice, of
course. Criticism generally carries more weight with people than
praise. Constructive criticism is good for leaders. They should not
only receive such input graciously; they should invite those around
them to give it.
How should leaders respond to unfounded rancor from hostile critics?
First, they should honestly examine their hearts to be sure the
criticism is without merit. Leaders must face criticism with
integrity before God and before people. True Christian leaders know
it is ultimately God's approval and not people's that matters most.
When leaders know they have obeyed God, they set aside the desire to
defend themselves.
True leaders are more interested in doing the right thing than they
are in their popularity. Sometimes, the right thing to do is not the
most popular, but Christian statesmen do not allow detractors to deter
them from God's will. Leaders who clearly understand God's will do
not waver when misguided or virulent opponents attempt to discourage
them. True Christian leaders seek God's will, and then they follow it
without wavering.
Criticism will come, and it will hurt, but it must not be allowed to
derail leaders from God's call upon their lives. Before giving in to
the temptation to quit, leaders should revisit what they know God
asked them to do. No amount of opposition or hardship or sacrifice is
sufficient to cancel God's call on a person's life. Leaders would do
well to help their families learn how to deal with criticism.
Spiritual Lethargy
For the most part, leaders are driven people. Their role is to see
that things get done. Their enthusiasm to make things happen will
tempt them to forgo the "passive" pursuit of spending time with God.
Most spiritual leaders would list their relationship with God as
number one on their priority list. The danger for them to neglect
their time with God is more subtle, because their Bibles are open so
often for sermon preparation, counseling, and other religious work.
If they aren't careful, they'll view their Bibles as a textbook rather
than as the LIVING Word of God. They'll begin substituting their
public prayer life for their personal conversations with God..
When leaders allow their daily commitments to crowd out their time
with Christ, they are slowly cutting themselves off from their
lifeline. No matter how much they accomplish, their lives will
suffer. Their relationships will be damaged. They will cease to be
the husband/wife/parent/son/daughter/friend God wants them to be.
There are a few practical steps leaders can take if they find they
have fallen into a rut in their devotional life. First, they should
evaluate the time they set aside to spend with God. Is it enough? Is
it too rushed? Does that time face too many intrusions? Would a
different time or setting be more conducive to quiet Bible study,
reflection, and prayer? Would a varied approach to studying God's
Word be beneficial? Perhaps a different Bible translation would give
familiar verses a fresh sound and an added perspective. Perhaps the
leader needs to use a devotional tool that will open up the Scriptures
in new and profound ways. If they do not already do so, leaders
should begin using a journal to record their daily Christian
pilgrimage.
Besides the intrinsic and immeasurable value of knowing God
personally, a strong relationship with God holds numerous advantages
for leaders. They clearly know when God is speaking to them. When
they begin to develop unhealthy habits, God speaks forcefully to them
and protects them from harm. When they are making important
decisions, God guides them in the best direction. When leaders are
criticized and pressured to conform to worldly standards, God gives
inner strength and resolve that enables them to stand firm in their
convictions. Nurturing a strong relationship with almighty God allows
leaders the freedom to follow their God-given convictions and to bring
glory to God through their efforts.
Domestic Neglect
When holding positions of influence and responsibility, Christian
leaders often struggle to balance their role as a leader at work and
as a leader at home. Wise leaders strive to preserve their families
in the midst of the pressures on their professional lives. Most
leaders love their families, but many fail to apply the same
prioritizing skills they use at work when relating to the most
important people in their lives. Conscientious leaders take their God-
given responsibilities for their families seriously. They do this
because they love God; they do it because they love their families.
They also recognize the crucial nature of leaders' families (Deut.
6:4-9). Leaders' children can represent the future generation of
leaders. Emerging leaders at home have the potential to impact the
world even more than their parents did. Wise leaders see the
importance of helping their children develop as Christians and as the
next generation of leaders.
As we mentioned earlier, leaders should get in the habit of marking
significant events such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and
special events on their calendars so they do not inadvertently
schedule unnecessary outside commitments on those dates. When leaders
travel, they should look for ways to bring family members with them.
As much as possible, leaders who value their families seek creative
ways to make their jobs a blessing to their families instead of a
rival for their attention. God is the family's greatest advocate -
leaders who seek God's help will readily receive it.
Administrative Carelessness
Leaders are, by nature, visionaries. They may focus so much attention
onn the vision of where their organization is going that they neglect
to build the kind of organization that can actually arrive at the
destination.
Ultimately it is the leader's task to ensure that the organization is
healthy. Wise leaders understand that organizations are ultimately
made up, not of vision statements, or constitutions, or long-range
plans, or core values - but of people. People are the driving force
behind organizations. Therefore, while leaders are constantly
delegating tasks to their people, they are also regularly monitoring
the attitudes, effectiveness, and concerns of their people to ensure
that the organization is functioning at its optimum potential.
leaders must become adept in two areas, or their organizations will
collapse from within: conflict resolution and communication.
One way to determine the health of an organization is to measure how
long it takes the top leader to become aware of a problem in the
ranks. Effective leaders are known for their aggressive problem
solving. Leadership positions are not for those who seek to avoid
conflict at all costs. Insipid leaders will avoid people they know
are unhappy or upset. Effective leaders will face problems head on.
Few people actually enjoy addressing conflict, but experienced leaders
know that a single problem neglected today can multiply into a cluster
of problems tomorrow. It is always better to deal with problems
immediately and to resolve issues quickly within the organization.
True Christian leaders seek conflict resolution. Alert leaders are
quick to facilitate conflict resolution between personal so valuable
energy and time are not squandered on superfluous and distracting
issues.
Clear, timely communication is absolutely essential to a successful
organization. With careful attention to the vital signs of the
organization, leaders can promptly address minor conflicts and prevent
issues from escalating into large-scale problems. One of the greatest
hindrances to efficient communication in an organization can be the
leader's desk. Effective leaders do not allow important tasks to pile
up on their desk. Effective leaders do not allow important tasks to
pile up on their desks. Large organizations have virtually ground to
a halt while an important decision or piece of paperwork sat on a
disorganized leader's desk. Leaders need to develop the reputation
for dealing with important issues promptly and thoroughly. When
leaders are slow with their responses, the entire organization can be
delayed as people wait on their leader. Effective leaders also enlist
key associates to oversee daily operations so that the organization
does not grind to a halt every time the leader is out of town or on
vacation. A wise leader will invesst in developing and equipping
associates. Effective leaders carefully monitor and maintain
organizational machinery, and they ensure that the machinery can run
smoothly in their absence. The benefit of maintaining a healthy
organization is that leaders can conduct their business without
constantly having a phone attached to their ear and they can enjoy
time at home or on vacation without always worrying about work.
Prolonged Position Holding
Skilled preachers recognize that if they haven't made their point
after thirty minutes, they might as well send their parishioners home
to their roast beef. Wise leaders also know when the time has come to
exit graciously and allow a new leader to step in. Some leaders have
greatly depreciated their effectiveness and diminished their
contribution to their organizations by staying in their positions long
after their effectiveness was past.
They enjoy the respect and influence that comes with their position as
head of the organization. As a result, they may hesitate to yield
their office to younger leaders even when it becomes apparent to
everyone else that a change in the organization is needed. Such
leaders can become blinded to the reality that they are no longer as
effective in their role as they once were. Because they were once
successful, they assume they are still the one best suited for their
job. Sadly, these leaders often negate much of the positive
contribution they made to their organization in their early years
because they refuse to make room for the next generation of leaders.
Instead they hold their organization back by their reluctance to step
aside.
Leaders with integrity recognize when they have made their most
worthwhile contributions. Then they graciously hand over the reigns
of leadership to the next generation. How does a leader know when the
time has come for a changing of the guard? God will guide leaders who
seek his wisdom regarding when it is time for them to leave.
Older leaders tend to have difficulty giving their blessing to the
emerging generation of leaders. Senior leaders often disparage
younger leaders as naive or radical or too inexperienced to conduct
the important affairs. Veteran leaders see new and different values.
In fact, while biblical principle and values never change, methods
that were appropriate in one generation may be obsolete, even
counterproductive, in the next.
Leaders with integrity genuinely place the well-being of the
organization before their own prestige. Christian leaders take time
to stand before God and ask whether their continued leadership in the
organization is helpful or harmful. They look to God as the source of
their contentment in life, not the job. Those leaders who have made a
commitment to continually grow and learn have no need to cling
tenaciously to their position because they know God has new challenges
for them and they are ready to embrace his next assignment.
Summary
Developing a healthy awareness of the pitfalls that can bring failure
and disgrace to leaders is the first step to avoiding them. The
second step is putting safeguards in place that will provode
protection in times of temptation or indecision. Third, leaders
should have before them the continual reminder that (a) their
organization is more about people than it is about productivity; that
(b) they are not indispensable; and that (c) the most effective,
efficient thing they can do for their organization is to maintain a
close, vibrant relationship with God.
Christian leaders are forming groups that meet regularly to challenge
one another to continue growing in their relationship with God and
with their families. Through e-mail and various technologies,
Christian leaders can stay in contact even when they are traveling
around the world on assignments.
More and more leaders are recognizing that, with deliberate effort,
good planning, and much prayer, they need not succumb to the pitfalls
that could impair their leadership and jeopardize their personal
lives. If you have not already become part of a small group, we
encourage you to form one. This group should consist of three to five
godly people whom you respect and with whom you will feel free to be
completely honest. Group members should be of the same gender. For
obvious reasons this will exclude your spouse. Here are some
questions to consider both individually and as a part of your small-
group discussion.
1. Do I pray regularly with at least one other leader?
2. Are there other leaders with whom I am free to be candid about
my personal struggles?
3. Who holds me accountable to follow through on what I know to
be God's will?
4. What safeguards have I built around my relationship with my
spouse? Are they adequate to protect me from temptation?
5. How am I presently studying and applying God's Word to my
life?
6. Have I built safeguards around my time with God?
7. When was the last time time i clearly heard God speaking to
me? How did I respond to what he said?
8. Do I have people who are willing to challenge my actions when
they think they are harmful?
9. Are the fruits of the Spirit growing in me? 9Gal. 5:22-23).
Am I becoming more and more like Christ?
Messages from God
=B7 Proverbs 27:2
=B7 Daniel 4:29-31
=B7 Proverbs 6:16-17
=B7 Proverbs 1:7; 2:10-11
=B7 Judges 16:15-21
=B7 John 15:5
=B7 2 Corinthians 11;28-29
=B7 Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6; Luke 18:14
=B7 Proverbs 14;12
=B7 Proverbs 7:24-26
=B7 Galatians 6:7
=B7 Proverbs 14:15
=B7 Isaiah54:17
=B7 John 15:20
=B7 Deuteronomy 6:4-9
=B7 Ezekiel 34:1-10
Student prayer
God, I think that I know what to believe but new things come up almost
every day. Help me to sort out what is right and good to believe, and
what is not. Grant me your wisdom. Amen.
Homework
1. Thin Prayers, Fat Prayers. Share two worries and two joys
that are going on with you right now. let's take six to eight minutes
for this,
2. Write a prayer for the class members.
3. What are your feelings about what we just did?
4. Remembered Blessings. Share a time you can remember when you
felt close to God. If this experience included prayer, share how
prayer enhanced the experience. If it did not include prayer, share
any possible ways in which the experience may have resembled prayer.
Closing
May our God of intimate love bless us with a constant awareness of his
presence. May God teach us to pray, both along and with others. May
he deepen our relationship with himself daily as we spend time sharing
with him, loving him, and seeking his help and his will through
prayer. Amen.
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