In this season of revealing, we are seeing many of those we previously looked up to, exposed. It’s a season where God is calling out those who lead, He is giving opportunity for change. For true repentance. For humility. For honesty.
For many years, it’s been far too easy for leaders in church to simply get away with bad behavior because we didn’t have a clue what it meant to be set apart. We only knew what it meant to be celebrated. To love fame. To love influence. To seek places of control and power.
In essence we followed the model of the earth.
Just look at the governmental systems in every nation. They seek power, control, the ability to get away with bad behavior, etc.
The best way to get away with bad behavior is to be in charge. Then nobody gets to question you.
This is the faulty system that has led countries, schools, places of employment, and it’s trickled into the church and family. It’s devastating.
God called leaders to a greater responsibility. Leaders will be held to greater account when we meet Him face to Face. Scriptures tells us so.
It’s more important than ever to examine motives. Actions that appear selfless, might just be that…appearances. Only God knows the heart, and what I’ve discovered is that when I keep my face turned toward Him, it’s far more difficult for me to be fooled by people.
There have been multiple occasions when practically everyone I knew loved and revered a leader, but my heart said, “No.” Each time I used to wrestle with myself and wonder if I was just being judgmental. That is, until I noticed that each time I felt that nagging inside, over time, it was revealed to be true. God kept showing me that the nagging inside was His protection over my life. Protection from being swept away by false forms of godliness. Protection from being pulled into a lie. Protection from following a false version of Jesus. I will never ignore that nagging again.
Since God’s the only One Who can truly know a person’s motives, it’s important to always be asking Him to reveal them to you. To protect you from false motives, even in your own heart.
Today I challenge you to ask God to show you if you have any hidden motives in your heart. This can be a painful question, trust me. But it’s better to know, and have the opportunity to change, than to remain in deception.
Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-8
And then He added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” Mark 7:20-23
365 Days in the Presence 