What Are My Issues?

CHAPTER FOUR

The Hidden Things of Dishonesty

My dear brothers and sisters, we must awaken out of our vain imaginations and embrace the Father and His will for our lives. What is the problem? Look earnestly at yourself and determine your own bottom lines. For those of us who have been privy to this Word, it is manifest that we simply neglect to judge our own dispositions, actions, emotions and thoughts.

I asked myself, “How would others describe me? What words would they readily use to reveal their opinion of me? Would they use words like holy, faithful, righteous, or mean, prideful, arrogant, etc.? Which of these would apply? What is the truth regarding my character and the way I deal with people?”

On many occasions I have asked the Lord, how is it possible for so many people to have the same testimony or spiritual description of someone, who seems not to see themselves in that same light. For instance, one of the ministers in the ministry has developed a well-known reputation for being needy and negative. It never failed, but whenever some of the other ministers personally interacted with this minister they always expressed a need to divest themselves of the negatives they had entertained.

This scenario continued year after year and of course none of the ministers who complained about the negativity of this individual said anything to the person themselves, they just sort of talked and in some cases joked about it among themselves, saying things like, “Well I’m not in the mood to deal with so and so, I can’t handle all that negative depressive stuff right now.” Or one would say, “You got to be ready to deal with so and so if you don’t want to be depressed. Because you know before it’s over some negatives coming out.” And another would say, “Every time you talk to them there’s always something wrong. I don’t care what God is doing they ain’t never satisfied.”

The Hidden Things of Dishonesty

First of all I think it is cruel and hypocritical for ministers to be aware of another minister’s faults and never speak to that person about it. Instead they talk to each other and leave the individual without confrontation, which is solely a catalyst for change and not a tool to make the person aware of their disposition. I say this because in truth, the person is very much aware of what they do and how they do it. But just like a child, they will continue to operate in such character until confronted.

The bottom line is; the relationship these ministers have with one another is superficial and not according to scripture. This is an issue that frustrates the grace of God. If the leaders of God cannot develop an earnest relationship with one another, then how is it that their relationship with the people of God is so real and pure? Saints, this behavior is due to a lack of character.

Galatians 6:1

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Is this not the instructions we are given in the Word of God. This brings us to another issue...

Selective Obedience

We tend to obey the things that are convenient. I cannot sit here and name all the things we neglect to obey, but it is certain each of us know and realize what they are. This scenario reveals a simple point of ministerial arrogance. Yes, I say arrogance because in it a conscious decision is made to not do that which the Word instructs.

Be not deceived to think that such behavior is confined to this scenario. We are dealing with character and character is not isolated to one particular issue. Character is our true spiritual location. If we will not obey the Word of God in something as simple as being kind enough to restore those we say we love, then wherein is the character and love of Christ manifest? Obedience must be across the board. For if we offend in one point then we offend in all. In Christ is neither variableness nor shadow of turning.

We must live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. If the negative disposition of the individual above is due to character and it is irritating to them then it is also adversely affecting others.

Even more so, it is not the mind of Christ to never be content in God. But let us identify what is really happening here. The person is described as...

A. NEEDY: One always searching for sympathy, pity and consideration.

Now this neediness comes in lieu of many blessings from the Lord including a life that far exceeds anything they could have ever expected. Out of one side of the mouth the individual expresses how good God has been to them, but out of the other side, they drag others into pity parties of exaggerated proportions. In spite of all God has done He still gets “woe is me” as a response to His goodness.

Don’t miss me here, there are many in the Body who are doing a great work for the Lord and never received half or even a third of the personal benefits we have, and they are happy and content with the privilege He has given them to serve.

This is a walk after the flesh that will not allow the consolation of the Spirit to manifest. Somehow this depression is preferred over the peace and comfort of the Spirit.

B. The Search for Sympathy, pity and consideration translate; recognition, exaltation and adoration from man. This is WANTONNESS pure and simple.

A want for acknowledgement, credit and to be placed in high regard. When others are dragged into pity parties they are merely led to a seat to worship the works and efforts of the minister. When wantonness is the root of our disposition, then the need for man’s validation, approval and recognition is monumental and idolatry is imminent.

One of the New Testament writers said “godliness with contentment is great gain.” There are times when we all need edifying and encouragement. However, if there is no one to do so, we must find solace, comfort and consolation in our God and not the fleeting words of men.

C. NEGATIVE: Unenthusiastic, pessimistic and depressing.

To be negative is to be unhelpful, apathetic, half-hearted, and unresponsive to the blessings and responsibilities given to us by God. The conversation of such a one is void of true faith, thus it becomes easy to assess things from a cynical, distrustful and gloomy perspective.

For the listeners the conversation is discouraging and disheartening. Thus they conclude that the individual is both miserable and sad. This is how the Father views our negativity. Though we claim to love Him so and desire to work in His service, our negative complaining personality negates and corrupts the glory that belongs to God. This is a description of someone who with what seems to be joy, testifies in one breath as to how good God has been to them, but in another they are so discontented with the life He has given? Beloved we must be thorough in our examination of ourselves.

Those who are habitually depressed are saints who do not regard the handiwork of God with a pure heart. They want Him to do more because the secret image they hold of themselves feels they deserve more. “This is not right,” and “he needs to fix that”... and on and on. They are like the children of Israel, always murmuring and complaining, never satisfied and always able to find something wrong with something.

Remember, if God is not able to satisfy you, then the people you interact with the most will always come up short. I am sure that most of us can plead guilty to some degree to the above, but when discontentment is a lifestyle then the roots of wantonness and idolatry must be searched out and destroyed. Truly when one can move from praise to tears of “woe is me,” in a heartbeat, such a personality is double-minded and unstable. This is a walk after the flesh and can only be remedied by walking in the Spirit.

The question is; do we realize our own personality? If most who interact with us whether it be our children, other saints and even other ministers, come forth with the same description, then should it not be evident that we know or see ourselves as well. I dare to say yes. But remember this is a way of life that has survived all the study guides, conferences and personal counsel. Why? Well, the answer is the same as with any form of disobedience. It is outright rebellion due to the fact we know the truth, minister the truth to others, but refuse to walk in it ourselves.

The only way out of this mess is complete submission to the Word and will of God. We must relinquish the secret image we have of ourselves, the false humility and the secret desire for recognition. We must purpose to be real and not a dissembler; one who puts on a false appearance in order to hide facts, feelings or intentions. Again, we must walk after the Spirit.

D. THE TRUST ISSUE: Trust is a disposition of the heart. Distrust is an unlawful lack of faith.

This is more likely true of a saint who has experienced God and His love and goodness in many ways. With all God has done in you, through you and for you, He has yet to earn your complete trust.

E. DISCONTENTMENT is a sure sign of that distrust.

Were it not an issue, one would move into the consolation of the Spirit and wait patiently on the things that need God’s intervention.

Furthermore, if you do not trust God’s move, then it follows that you do not really trust people. In spite of the declarations we make with our mouth, the Lord is an expert at allowing situations to be set up to manifest our true disposition towards Him and His people.

F. DISTRUST makes us fearful and unbelieving in our walk and ministry. It makes us paranoid of people. In some cases it demands that we always maintain an analytical, investigative mind that will give us the ups on how someone else is thinking. But this is not the way of God.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

You must never forget that you are a spiritual being. You are not of the world nor are you in the flesh, but in the Spirit. To live such a life of paranoia is a miserable existence and denies you of the peace of God that truly does pass all understanding.

G. What about COMPETITIVENESS: An inclination or wanting to achieve more than others; to be valued more than another. Competitiveness is a direct attack on love and the unity of the Body of Christ. This is not good.

2 Corinthians 10:12

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

True love destroys the desire to compete. In fact it inspires us to esteem another higher than ourselves. Sadly there are some saints who are obsessed with being better at doing something than someone else.

They find it difficult not to prove that they are just as or more capable than their spouse, friends, or enemies. They live in a world in which they are driven by self-achievement. Usually these saints are very authoritative and/or controlling. But even if they are unable to physically exercise any authority or control over another individual, in their head and heart they must coin something that says they are better or can do something better than that person.

This attitude can lead to jealousy and other ungodly traits. It is also a manifestation of discontentment with ones position in the Body. It houses a superiority complex that is often hidden under a religious cloak. The solution is to agree with God and see others as a part of your success.

H. SILENT CONSENT: To put your seal of approval on negatives by not speaking against them.

It is not always that we join in malicious utterances or gossip or character assassinations by having our say. In some cases we say more than others by not speaking at all. This is especially true of ministers who are expected to be holy and benevolent in their conversations. To those who work such malice our silence is either a sure sign of agreement with the negatives or it is an iniquitous applause for the evil work at hand.

Our true spiritual dispositions are not hidden from the Father. And in many cases they are hidden from man. Even if the content of an evil work is laced with truths that we know to be truth, we should never be in agreement with the spirit of malice.

I. Finding it HARD TO FORGIVE.

The Lord spoke directly to me concerning forgiveness that really challenged my desire to please Him. He talked to me about the way Israel had rejected the Master and were therefore as broken branches cast away from the vine. But then He quoted a scripture:

Romans 11:15

For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

No Son of God wants to be alienated from the Body. But often our sin and the shame that accompanies it, separates us from the rest of the flock. But those of us who walk in the love of Christ must be sensitive to the needs of every member. Though we despise the evil some may do, we must not despise one another. The love of Christ is strong and powerful enough to bear the sins and faults of many.

We must never forget our primary objective, the reconciling of the world to God. Should one of us who has fallen repent, what shall the receiving of them be but life from the dead? For this we should rejoice.