If we are unaware of our
enemy, how can we fight and defend ourselves? If we are unclear about our areas
of weakness, how can we be victorious?
Greed
and sexual immorality are perhaps the two most common reasons why prominent leaders
fall from grace.
To
put it simply, the two important factors which account for their downfall are lust for money and lust of the flesh (1 John 2:15-17).
If
only they had taken heed of the warnings in Proverbs 30 and 31, the last two books
of Proverbs, things might have turned out differently.
But
then again, knowing the truth is one thing. Having the strength to overcome
evil is another matter.
The reason for highlighting the above is not that we might pride
ourselves in our superiority (1 Corinthians 10:12) but that we might be forewarned,
take heed and learn to be wise.
Let us not rejoice in their misfortune but pray
for them. And, of course, learn from their mistakes so that we can finish well.
WARNING AGAINST LUST FOR
MONEY
Make me
absolutely honest
and don’t let me be too poor
or too rich.
Give me just what I need.
If I have too much to eat,
I might forget about you;
if I don’t have enough,
I might steal
and disgrace your name.
and don’t let me be too poor
or too rich.
Give me just what I need.
If I have too much to eat,
I might forget about you;
if I don’t have enough,
I might steal
and disgrace your name.
Proverbs 30:8-9
Let’s
pause and consider the wisdom behind Proverbs 30:8-9. He asks God to supply his
needs; he will be contented with his lot in life. Abundant riches may lead him
to become complacent and forget God. Or riches may open the door to new temptations
previously unknown to him. The danger of poverty is obvious; he might be
tempted to cheat or steal to survive. So he pleads that God spares him from these
two extreme situations.
It's not that God is niggardly.
He wants to abundantly bless His children, and often materially as well (Psalms
103:1-5). “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).
But wealth is like a two-edged
sword. How many people can truly handle great wealth? Many get mesmerised by the gifts rather than the Giver.
Joseph, who became the Prime Minister of Egypt, could handle
great wealth for he did not succumb to greed or pride. But how many modern-day
Josephs are there?
WARNING AGAINST LUST OF
THE FLESH
Don’t waste
your life
chasing after women!
This has ruined many kings.
chasing after women!
This has ruined many kings.
Proverbs 31:3 (CEV)
This was
a mother’s advice to his son, a king. She pleaded with him not to sow wild oats as in Proverbs 5:16-17. *
He won’t be
able to fulfill his responsibility as a king if he pursues a promiscuous
lifestyle. Failure to gain victory in this vital area of his life will drain
him of his vigour and vitality. “A man without
self-control is like a city broken into and left without
walls” (Proverbs 25:28).
Like
kings, leaders are people in high office. So this caution against immorality is applicable to leaders as well.
* Footnotes:
And don’t
be like a stream
from which just any woman
may take a drink.
Save yourself for your wife
and don’t have sex
with other women.
from which just any woman
may take a drink.
Save yourself for your wife
and don’t have sex
with other women.
Proverbs 5:16-17 (CEV)
RELATED POSTS
WHEN A LEADER FALLS
When a prominent Christian leader falls from grace, there are significant lessons to be learnt. What are they?
FINISHING
WELL
What does it take to be a winner in the most
important race of all?
In
which areas did David fail?
FROM
COMFORT TO COMPLACENCY
Obedience to God
results in blessings, both tangible and intangible. These blessings enable the
righteous to enjoy a certain measure of comfort.
However, there is a fine line separating comfort and complacency.
SUBTLE ENTANGLEMENTS
We have heard of dolphins
or turtles getting entangled in fishermen’s nets. As these poor creatures can
no longer roam in search for food, some may eventually die.
Somewhere along the
way believers too get entangled in various pursuits which either impede
progress or lead them off the intended spiritual path.
FIVE KEYS TO OVERCOME SEXUAL
TEMPTATION
RESIST,
FLEE, CELEBRATE, BE EMPOWERED, RECOGNISE THE HEAVY PRICE OF SEXUAL SIN.
AN
EYE FOR SMUT OR BEAUTY?
It all starts with the eye, the gateway which allows evil to
creep surreptitiously into the mind.
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