Author: admin

Taking pleasure in the sins of others is an utterly distasteful habit. Why do we find gossip so enticing? Why do we delight in hearing about the shortcomings of others?

We know that spreading gossip about others is a sin. It demeans people. It also reflects a wicked heart that delights in hearing about the victories of sin in peoples’ lives. Too often Christians have disguised their gossip under the guise of feigned concern or sanctimonious “prayer requests.” Few things can be as active as a church “grapevine!” Why do so many Christians know that gossip is wrong, and yet do it anyway?

Further, why do we listen? Why do we not stop talebearers in their tracks and let them know we will not tolerate such evil talk? More than that, should it not grieve us every time sin gains another victory in someone’s life? Rather than hurriedly spreading the news of peoples’ shortcomings, ought we not to immediately retreat to our prayer closet and intercede for them? Rather than delighting in hearing the details of someone’s fall, should it not break our hearts that the Kingdom of God has suffered another casualty and Christ’s name has been dishonored once again?

Every time we hear of the downfall of one of our Christian brothers or sisters we have an invitation: the invitation is not to criticize or to spread the news, but to intercede.

It is extremely easy to prove your case-if you are the only person in the room! If there is no one to challenge your facts or to offer a different perspective, then your arguments will always appear to be compelling! When we rehearse our position in our own minds, we can feel as if we have an open and shut case. Our reasoning seems airtight.

But as soon as we tell someone what we are thinking, we risk hearing a dissenting voice. Others see things we failed to notice. Our companions may not be as impressed with our reasoning as we are. People may even ridicule our beliefs and decisions.

That is why it is tempting to keep our thoughts to ourselves. If we conduct our life privately, then we don’t run the risk of enduring peoples’ criticism or disagreement. It can seem like a less troublesome way to make decisions.

The problem of course, is that it is more important to do the right thing than it is to protect your decisions from being disagreed with or challenged. While loners don’t often suffer the distasteful experience of being refuted, they also fail to achieve the benefits that result from consulting wise counselors. Don’t let your thin skin or pride cause you to withdraw from others. Such a life leaves you far too vulnerable.

Do you talk too much? Do you feel compelled to speak every time there is a lull in the conversation? When discussing a situation, do you do the most talking or the least? Have you given much thought to how often you speak your mind?

Few things are more revealing than a person’s speech. The more we talk, the more people know about what is in our heart and mind. When people speak often, it suggests that they believe what they have to say is important, or that they love to put words to their every thought.

But it may also reveal far more. It could reflect the fact that such people prefer to speak than to listen. It may suggest that they have little self-control. If they think it, they speak it. Often the more we speak, the more diluted is our contribution. If we had spoken once or twice, people would have listened because we were making a significant contribution. But when we speak ten or twelve times, we tend to repeat ourselves or to say things that others already know. Better to speak less often but to pack our speech with our best thinking.

How do your colleagues and friends respond when you speak? Do they listen intently as they glean fresh wisdom from your lips? Or do they patiently endure your latest monologue until they can finally jump in with their own ideas? One of the most difficult things for people who speak a lot to realize is that people are not as enamored with what they have to say as they think they are.

There are a wide variety of friends. Some are your friend when you have something to offer them. Others are friends as long as you ask nothing of them. Still others offer their support as long as times are good and they can share in your success. But what about when you fall on hard times?

One of the many benefits of difficult times is that it reveals who your true friends are! They are the ones who draw nearer to you in difficult times rather than moving to a safe distance. They are the ones who suffer with you rather than letting you endure your pain alone. They are the ones who would not think of you facing your trials alone. They are also the ones who believe in you and know you will overcome your adversity.

Think about the last time you went through a difficult time. Who was the first person you wanted to call? Who was the first person to call you? Who meant the most to you when you suffered hardship? When times are good, friends are relatively easy to come by. But how grateful we are for those friends who stick by us when we enter into times of adversity!

Some people have an inordinate sense of justice. We cannot abide to have people mistreat us or to speak unkindly about us. We may tend to loudly defend ourselves and to protest any perceived injustice. We may fervently defend our reputation by vociferously explaining to others our point of view in an effort to set the record straight and to defend our reputation.

While the need to protect our image may appear important to us at the time, it may cost us a relationship. At times “being right” may prevent us from “being reconciled.”

God has called us to have a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19). God cares more about people than about reputations. His heart is to bring about forgiveness and unity. At times we can be too quick to forfeit a relationship in order to win an argument. Too often we allow even petty disagreements to rob us of valuable friendships.

Think about a relationship you may have lost. What was the cause? What might you have done differently to prevent its loss? Was the point of disagreement worth the loss of the relationship? Did your actions reflect the heart of God? If you had forgiven the offense, would you still enjoy fellowship with that person? Be careful to not jettison people in the name of “being right.” There is nothing on earth more important in God’s eyes than people.

Life has a way of thoroughly testing people. There is a particular test that addresses every aspect of our lives. Certain circumstances will highlight the pride that has crept into our life. Another test will reveal if we have been growing as a leader or becoming stagnant. Still other tests reveal our integrity and honesty. There are tests in life that address our moral purity or our compassion for others. There are tests in life for everything.

While your greatest concern at the moment may be your next performance review, you ought never to treat lightly the divine tests you will inevitably undergo. God does not administer simple or easy exams. He does not focus on superficial issues. God always goes right to the heart. God knows that if our heart is not right, then everything else in our life will be out of line as well.

It could be that the challenging time you are presently undergoing is a divine test. Could God prevent your current trial from happening? Certainly. Could God deliver you at any moment He chose? Absolutely. Then why is He allowing it to continue? It might be that He wants you to learn something new about Him and His provision for your life. Or, it may be that He wants you to learn something new about yourself. God already knows what is in your heart. But you might be surprised at the results of your heavenly examination. What are your present challenges revealing about the condition of your heart?

Some leaders oversee massive organizations. Others administer large assets or talented groups of people. A few mobilize armies or teams of gifted athletes. Yet there is no greater leadership we can provide than when we carefully, and faithfully administer ourselves.

In many ways it is easier to lead others than it is to manage ourselves. It is obvious to us how others ought to behave. We can be much more objective about the shortcomings of our friends and colleagues. Answers for their problems tend to be more black and white in our eyes.

Yet when it comes to addressing our own problems, we tend to waffle. There are extenuating circumstances, we claim. We have always struggled in that area we protest. It does not affect my work, we argue. I’ll deal with it when I have more time, we explain. While we would never allow such delays or excuses in our subordinates, we can tolerate all manner of sin and unhealthy behaviors in our own lives.

It is true. Those who cannot manage themselves properly, have no business leading others. Leadership of others always begins with management of self. Based on how you are conducting yourself, have you earned the right to be entrusted with the leadership of others?

Pride is the most insidious destroyer of leaders. It has felled those of the highest rank. It has humiliated the most brilliant of people. It has ruined the most astonishing careers. Its presence in someone’s life can be subtle, almost indistinguishable, until it has ruined its victim.

Pride afflicts people in every stage of life. But it is particularly dangerous in times of success. Victory tends to lift us up in the eyes of others as well as in our own view. Once we have achieved something, we can view ourselves differently. We can begin to assume we are smarter than those around us, who have not performed as well. We can close our ears to the counsel of others. We may assume that, now that we know the formula to success, it will be ours whenever we want it. Such thinking sets us up for a major fall.

Why do so many notable leaders suffer spectacular downfalls? Do they stop being as smart as they once were? Do they lose their ability to overcome challenges as they did previously? Do they suddenly lose their people skills or problem solving ability? No. They simply fail to handle success properly. They choose to take the credit rather than to give it where it rightfully belongs: to God. Their accomplishments make them prideful rather than humble. They become full of themselves rather than God. It is a sure recipe for disaster.

Have you recently experienced some success? Be careful. Pride is waiting at your door. If you allow it in, it will not rest until it has brought you down.

Whether we like it or not, everyone needs to hear the truth. We live in an age when lies abound. Nothing, it seems, is as it appears. People regularly deceive, misrepresent, and exaggerate. It is, sadly, a fact of life. How refreshing it is, therefore, when you encounter someone who speaks the truth, even about difficult, sensitive subjects.

To speak righteously is to do more than merely to tell the truth. It is to converse in such a way that God’s name is uplifted and His values and ways are honored. People can tell the truth in a painful, confrontational manner that angers and hurts the listeners. But righteous lips speak with godly wisdom. They do not say more than is needed. They do not embellish the truth. They utter things that further the purposes of God.

To speak the language of heaven, one must spend time communing with the King of kings. We must abide in His word, so we can share it with others. We must seek to understand His ways so we know His perspective on our circumstances. Do you want to be invited to speak before kings? Learn the language of the King.

Just as the Lord promised Abram that He would bless those who blessed him and curse those who cursed him (Genesis 12:3), so God will go before those who faithfully walk with Him today. The world is a difficult place in which to lead. There are many people vying for money and power. Evil has numerous strongholds and wickedness reigns in many of society’s high places. Potential enemies abound.

Yet when God is pleased with someone’s life, God has innumerable ways to demonstrate His favor. One way is the manner in which God deals with those who oppose us. At times, God may deal severely with our enemies on our behalf. In all times God will provide us the wisdom and strength to endure whatever others inflict upon us.

Ultimately, God is one who reconciles (2 Corinthians 5:19). He is able to transform our most bitter enemies into friends. Only God can change peoples’ hearts. Only He can open peoples’ eyes to truth. God can soften a person’s heart. The Holy Spirit can convict people of their wrongful behavior and attitudes.

Is there someone who is currently opposed to you? Believe God for more than merely your protection. Regularly pray, and trust that God can bring peace and reconciliation to that relationship. Do you believe that with God, all things are possible? How you relate to your enemies will provide vivid proof that you do.