Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
How many cult leaders have led thousands astray to a Christ-less end? The people who followed had put their trust in an unfaithful, yet charismatic, and maybe even sincere man. Within the last four decades, there have been some terrible tragedies with the likes of Jim Jones with the People’s Temple cult whose legacy ends with, “The Jonestown Massacre.”
There was David Koresh who brought his followers to a fiery end, and their legacy reads, “The Waco, Texas, Massacre.” Sadder still was Marshall Applewhite who was leading a UFO doomsday following known as Hale-Bopp and Heaven’s Gate cult. Their legacy was just as tragic and similar to all the other victims who had put their trust in an unfaithful and finite man. Heaven’s Gate ending headlines read, “Suicide of 39 members of the Heaven’s Gate cult.” Prov. 14:12 There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
These examples are not extreme as there have been many others all over the world and their ending was just as fatal. In whom we put our trust is important. Jesus says in John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.
This word can be taken with full belief and heartfelt trust because Jesus is still a faithful Saviour and Lord. Christ gave His life for us so that we would not have to resort to self-flagellation and suicidal-beliefs in order to be accepted by God.
This word can be taken with full belief and heartfelt trust because Jesus is still a faithful Saviour and Lord. Christ gave His life for us so that we would not have to resort to self-flagellation and suicidal-beliefs in order to be accepted by God.
I am sometimes asked, “How can I have confidence in my spiritual leaders and know if they are not wolves in sheep’s clothing?” We are given a criteria to look for in Heb. 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Plainly stated, the word is saying when it is all said and done, look for this fact. Are the words and actions of your pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders saying Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever? Is the end result of your pastor’s leading saying this very thing about your Lord Jesus? Are your spiritual leaders’ lives living and saying that Jesus is Lord? If so, then follow them with the leading of the Holy Spirit, while remembering that your leaders are also being changed by the Lord as they grow in Christ throughout their lives.
We can also trust God’s care for us because He says that we will know the hearts of our pastors by the fruit in their lives. Matt. 7:16a Ye shall know them by their fruits. Prov. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Plainly stated, the word is saying when it is all said and done, look for this fact. Are the words and actions of your pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders saying Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever? Is the end result of your pastor’s leading saying this very thing about your Lord Jesus? Are your spiritual leaders’ lives living and saying that Jesus is Lord? If so, then follow them with the leading of the Holy Spirit, while remembering that your leaders are also being changed by the Lord as they grow in Christ throughout their lives.
We can also trust God’s care for us because He says that we will know the hearts of our pastors by the fruit in their lives. Matt. 7:16a Ye shall know them by their fruits. Prov. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
If you have been graced by God with wonderful leadership as I have, then we need to give a collective shout of gratitude to our Lord and Saviour. To be able to find faithful men and women who honor the call of God in their lives, in this day and age, is a precious commodity in our era of selfish-frivolousness.
With thanksgiving, we should bless and pray for our church leaders that they continue in the faith with Christ as their plumb line. Eph. 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
With thanksgiving, we should bless and pray for our church leaders that they continue in the faith with Christ as their plumb line. Eph. 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
As we all attend our congregational meetings this week, let us make a special effort to thank our pastors and church leaders for their love and dedication to Christ and us – His body who we are. I say, “Thank you, Lord, for the pastors you have given me to help me get closer to you, Lord God, and your plan for my life.” Amen.
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