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Chapter 11: A Minister Must Be Free from Ambition

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A Minister Must Be Free From Ambition CONCLUSION 60 O TASTE AND SEE

Mary Banks Ministries & Bible Teachers International

PO Box 11563, Spring, TX 77391 www.marybanks.net www.bibleteachers.com www.mbfaithlibrary.com www.msogglobalchurch.net All verses of the Holy Bible are taken from The King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

INTRODUCTION

There is a tremendous difference between knowing something about God and actually experiencing the character of God.

We can learn the Scriptures. We can teach doctrine. We can explain what God requires. We can tell others that they should love their enemies, forgive those who have injured them, trust God in adversity, and remain faithful through suffering.

But there comes a point when truth must become more than something we understand intellectually. We must experience its power in us.

There are experiences God allows in our lives that give us the opportunity to experience His character operating within us. At that point, we are no longer merely describing God’s love. We are experiencing that love from within.

This is especially important for ministers. If we are going to represent God to His people, His character must become the reality of our lives.

There is another danger beneath premature spiritual activity:

‘ambition’ - the desire to be elevated.

Ambition can disguise itself as calling. A person may say: “I simply want God to use me.” But the true issue may be: “I want recognition.” Those are not the same thing.

A genuine servant can serve without a title.
A genuine servant can work without being publicly recognized.
A genuine servant can wait.
A genuine servant can submit to development.
A genuine servant does not need to manufacture spiritual authority in order to convince others that he possesses it.

If God has called a person, that calling does not have to be established through self-promotion. God is capable of making room for what He has ordained. Therefore, maturity includes the ability to wait until God has completed the character necessary to support the assignment.

This is where the earlier teaching concerning purity becomes extremely relevant. The minister cannot manipulate people financially. Neither can the minister manipulate people spiritually. Both practices originate from the same problem: using influence to obtain something the heart desires rather than trusting God to provide it in His time.

One wants money.
Another wants recognition.
Another wants position.
Another wants authority.
Another wants a platform.

But purity says: I will not manipulate anyone to obtain anything. I will trust God.

Purity Gives the Minister Boldness Before God

This brings the teaching back to prayer.

There is a reason purity is indispensable to ministry.

A minister must be able to come before God without hidden manipulation, cunning craftiness, secret agendas, or deliberately concealed motives standing between the heart and God. God sees more than actions.

He sees the formulation of the thought. He sees the intention before the words are spoken. He knows why we chose a particular person to speak to. He knows whether an apparently innocent statement was actually bait. He knows whether a purported prophetic word originated in a desire for recognition. He knows whether our complaints about ministry are really accusations against His provision. He knows whether we are attempting to circumvent His process.

This is why purity cannot be cosmetic. It must reach the intentions of the heart. The minister must desire to be able to kneel before God and know:

“Lord, I have not manipulated Your people.”
“I have not used their love for me against them.”
“I have not claimed You said something You did not say.”
“I have not attempted to manufacture my own elevation.”
“I have not trusted my charisma above Your provision.”
“I have endeavored to keep my heart pure before You.”

Ministers cannot carry “cloudy” motives, cunning craftiness, and manipulation and expect God to judge them as pure when they come to him in prayer. However if all of the above is truly your testimony, then you can go to God boldly and ask what you will, and he will respond to you. That is his promise.

Conclusion Let God Be God in You

Everything else flows from that.

Let God love through you.
Let God comfort others through you.
Let God provide for you.
Let God determine the process of his provision.
Let God develop your character.
Let God decide when you are ready.
Let God establish the ministry.
Let God defend what He has ordained.
Let God determine who receives what assignment.
Let God be the source.

And when He chooses to accomplish something through you, it leaves no room for human boasting, give Him the glory.

The goal is not merely to perform ministry. The goal is to become a minister whose heart agrees with God. The true evidence of maturity is not merely the ability to preach, prophesy, lead, organize, build, or gather people. It is character.

It is purity when manipulation would be easier.
It is love when retaliation would be understandable.
It is faith when provision is not yet visible.
It is gratitude when circumstances are inconvenient.
It is humility when God gives success.
It is submission when God says wait.
It is discernment when someone invokes His name.
And it is obedience after God has thoroughly convinced us of the truth. That is the minister God can trust. That is the minister who has done more than hear about God’s character.

That minister has tasted it.

With all my love, Mary Banks, a servant of Jesus Christ Conclusion