Silver, Sloth, Self, and Sex.
Chuck Swindoll tells the story of how, many years ago, a seasoned pastor looked at him and a group of 2 dozen pastors and warned them of these 4 “occupational hazards” that can take down spiritual leaders. Tragically, most of us can quickly list name after name of men who have been disqualified from ministry because of failure in the areas of silver, sloth, self, and sex.
Swindoll writes, “A moral breakdown never occurs suddenly. It comes about slowly, almost imperceptibly, like a slow leak in one of your tires. Some things are tolerated that were once not allowed. We lose the edge… we begin to slip… we shrug it off and smile instead of facing the truth. Time passes. By and by, sneaky acts of disobedience slip in, but because they are hidden and rationalized, we deny how far we’ve drifted.”
And then it happens. After years and years of fruitful ministry, a life is terribly tarnished by a tragic decision. A wife is wounded; the children are confused; friends are furious; a church is crippled, and a man of God has been neutralized.
No wonder the Bible says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (I Corinthians 10:12).
In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers wrote, “Do not try to predict where the temptation will come; it is the least likely thing that is the real danger. It is in the aftermath of a great spiritual event that the least likely things begin to have an effect. They may not be forceful and dominant, but they are there. And if you are not careful to be forewarned, they will trip you… Unguarded strength is actually a double weakness, because that is where the least likely temptations will be effective in sapping strength.”
We need one another’s help. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). We need a band of brothers who will guard our backs when the enemy attacks. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (I Thessalonians 5:11). We need others to keep us motivated to serve the Lord faithfully all our days. “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
Your character counts. Who’s counting yours?
Safeguarding Your Soul: A Self-Assessment
Please evaluate yourself on a scale of 1-10, 10 being high: 10) Always 7) Usually 5) Sometimes 3) Rarely 1) Never
___ I have built an ongoing relationship with a proven, trusted leader who provides a safe space for me to explore and evaluate my thoughts as I seek to discover God’s vision for my life and ministry.
___ So I can grow in my relational ability, emotional maturity, and spiritual vitality, I spend regular time with a wise friend who hears stories about my limitations and losses, who minors in advice and double-majors in encouragement, and who reminds me of my identity in Christ as a beloved child.
___ Because I realize that I am accountable to our donors for how well the church stewards their contributions and because I realize that financial accountability protects leaders and the reputation of the church, I have empowered a team of trustworthy individuals to discuss, review, and approve the financial operations of the church.
___ I meet regularly with a champion of my marriage, a friend who keeps me on point in romancing and cherishing my spouse because he cares deeply about the success of my marriage and the welfare of my family. He intercedes for me, asks grace-filled questions about my personal purity and thought life, and encourages me to be a true servant in the home.
___ I have a coach who knows how to help me pause, look at the big picture, and develop clear next steps. He uses his problem-solving skills to help me develop creative ideas about how to overcome challenges and leverage new initiatives so the church can achieve the mission.
___ I have given my “band of brothers” the freedom and the responsibility to ask me questions about my ongoing practice of the spiritual disciplines of the Christian life, such as Bible intake (including scripture memory), prayer, worship, evangelism, serving, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and learning.
___ Your Score
Where did you score highest? Where did you score lowest? What does this tell you about your commitment to maintaining moral purity? What are some next steps you can take to grow?
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