How do people in the world see me? Our reputation either undergirds or
undermines our ministry. Am I seen as a
hypocrite—saying one thing on Sunday in the church and living a different way
on Monday in the community?
There is no way to effectively reach the
lost, if I engage in wickedness while professing holiness. Sinners may not like what I have to say and
what I stand for, but I can have their respect if there is a visual consistency
of conduct that connects with the verbal message I communicate.
How people see us in the world will cause us
to be either a stumbling block or a stepping stone. We will prove to be bridges to bring people
to Christ or barriers to turn them away.
God help us!
“A good
testimony,” is one where the pastor’s words and works are
in harmony. We must share a testimony
with our lips, but that will be reinforced or ruined by what we say with our
life. Actions do speak louder than
words—an old cliché, but nonetheless true, despite its familiarity. When all is said and done, I fear there is
more said, than done—especially from the pulpit!
The saddest thing of all is that God is
grieved by our hypocrisy. That is
something He hates. But it is also
tragic that others are repulsed by it.
We must know that even the hypocrite suffers from it, as we “fall into reproach and the
snare of the devil.”
The pastor called to
shepherd God’s flock has a high standard set for him. But, we must, in the power of the Holy Spirit
commit to it.
A PRAYER
Holy God,
Have I
given the enemy an occasion to blaspheme?
Forgive me! Do you mourn, while
Satan laughs at the inconsistencies of my life?
Lord, have mercy! Deliver us from
hypocrisy. Make us to have a credible
testimony—all the way to the end. Never
let us stumble! If it could happen to
David, it can happen to me—and with what bitter fruit! Too many of your men have found themselves on
the spiritual casualty list—grant us grace to overcome and stay true! In the Name of the Great Shepherd, Jesus,
Amen.
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