Coffee With The Lord

“ABUSE OF AUTHORITY” – It’s a big problem among leaders today!

I think we’ve all seen (or suffered from) individuals that let a little authority and power go to their head. They “throw around their weight” – they’re demanding, dictatorial , abusive and threatened by anyone who has another opinion. Tragically there are some of these kinds of leaders in Christian service! There is nothing “Christ-like” about the way they seek to lead others! As spiritual shepherds go, they “drive sheep” – they don’t “lead” them.

But there’s also the opposite extreme… The leader who avoids confrontation at all costs – the person who finds a place to hide when there is an issue to be dealt with – the “shepherd” who really wishes someone in the “flock” would just take over. I know a few of these… If you looked up the term “laissez faire” as a leadership term in the dictionary, their picture would be there. They are directionless, convictionless, valueless, and spineless. Those who seek to follow them have no idea where they are headed, what the vision is, or what values they stand for. They abuse by neglect.

I read a passage in the Bible today, penned by apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit that speaks clearly to “abuse of authority” (in fact, it’s actually found twice in 2 Corinthians – an epistle where Paul’s authority was being seriously challenged). I think these verses provide an understanding of leadership and the use of authority that served as a guiding principle for apostle Paul (and I want it to always guide me)… Here it what Paul had to say…

“If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do! So even if I boast somewhat freely about THE AUTHORITY THE LORD GAVE US FOR BUILDING YOU UP RATHER THAN TEARING YOU DOWN, I will not be ashamed of it.” (2 Corinthians 10:7-8 NIV)

“This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority – the AUTHORITY THE LORD GAVE ME FOR BUILDING YOU UP, NOT FOR TEARING YOU DOWN.” (2 Corinthians 13.10 NIV)

So how to avoid the two extremes I’ve presented… How to keep the “authority automobile” on the road and not in either ditch… I’ve come up with a little phrase personally that has helped me in my use of authority as a leader (and has helped a lot of other leaders as well)… here it is… God wants me to be “STEEL UNDER VELVET.” I need to use authority to build others up, not tear them down… “CONVICTION WRAPPED IN KINDNESS” Think I need to go out and find some more “velvet!”

Things are not always as big, powerful and effective as they seem to be at first glance! I’ve seen huge, ugly, ferocious and terrifying monsters in a parade… and they were just polyester skins filled with hot air… one little poke in the wrong place and they’re a shriveled-up pile of nothing! On the other hand, I’ve seen rather plain, simple, tiny objects (that contain a tiny battery and a minuscule chip) – no bigger than a dime that had the power to move huge, heavy objects and do incredible, detailed tasks.

All of that entered my mind when I though about two distinctly different spiritual realities… and it was all a part of my Bible reading this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

The first is a deception – the arrogant, loud boast of empty power – a lie! Designed to intimidate a believer, fill them with fear, and immobilize them!

The second, is a rather plain, simple follower of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, who knows who they are in Christ, who encounters the power of the archenemy of God and His people – Satan. Those believers may also encounter the intimidating, proud voices, resistance and cruel strategies of a Christ rejecting world.

So who is stronger? Which of the two can overcome?

Here is what Apostle Paul declared…

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh! The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have DIVINE POWER to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and we take every though captive to obey Christ!” (From 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV)

Again… things are NOT always what they appear to be! Those who follow the Savior, Jesus, are merely human, but God’s power is at work in and through their lives! OUR POWER TO OVERCOME THE ENEMY DEPENDS ON HIM! MAY WE NEVER FORGET IT!

A periodic leadership lesson from Scripture today from my time of “coffee with the Lord” …

GODLY LEADERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFEGUARDING THEIR INTEGRITY AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE LORD’S WORK. 

A large financial gift had been gathered for the believers in the church at Jerusalem.  It had to be delivered to them.  Paul said, “We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift.  We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.” (2 Corinthians 8.20-21 NLT)

There have been so many religious charlatans (fancy name for “religious crooks”) that have given the church a bad name.  In fact, movies have been developed around their lifestyle … fancy clothes, coiffured hair, smooth talk, expensive car, luxurious home, personal jets – they’ve ripped off people, made empty promises, abused funds, and lived immoral lives!  They’ve given “the church” a bad name. 

Would to God, every religious leader would embrace the ethics Paul expressed here…  Accountability, concern about criticism in the way money is handled, integrity before God and determination to build a reputation of honor before “everyone else”!

Today, I am determined to be a “committee of one” that will do his best to give the Lord’s work and “the ministry” a good reputation!!  In fact, the reputation of the Church one of my core values…

VALUE #3 – I VALUE THE CHURCH:  Since Christ “loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5.25), I should love it in spite of its imperfections, pray daily for its well-being, contribute my best to its mission and ministries, be willing to submit to its authority, AND LIVE SO ITS REPUTATION IN THE WORLD IS POSITIVE.” … So help me God!