1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

This is a verse I have come back to many times, because it’s of vital importance for leadership. One of the best contemporary examples we have of someone who practiced this is Billy Graham. His rule about never being alone with a woman other than his wife was famous, and often ridiculed. However, it was the height of wisdom. It is extremely healthy to recognize your own weaknesses! Sad to say, many Church leaders have fallen because of lacking such wisdom. Men are famous for being predatory, but frankly, some women are too. And of course, it’s not just heterosexual relationships that can trap us. Listing even recent examples of such failures would take a depressingly long time. The biggest trap in all of this is, as usual, pride. When we think we are secure, that we are “above all that,” then we are most at risk. And of course, there are many other traps as well. Paul cautioned Timothy about financial temptations, famously saying, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10) The answer for all of this is a continued focus on Christ and on what God has done for us in Him. Temptations definitely fade when we meditate on the cross! We aren’t to be paranoid, always afraid we are going to fall, but we must remember that we have no strength to stand on our own, and so walk in consistent devotion and obedience to Christ.

I’ve not been as strict about “the Graham rule” as he was, and I’ve had a few fairly close calls. Finances haven’t been such a huge snare that I’ve been aware of, but thinking about it, at times my focus has been far more about putting bread on the table for my family that about serving God. I’m certainly no paragon of virtue! The Lord gave me very little choice about being in Christian ministry, but I am well aware of what James said. “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1) Paul’s concern for himself was entirely reasonable! At this point my messages, both spoken and written, go out pretty broadly, and that makes me all the more a target for the devil. Like Paul and James, I must stay aware that anything good that comes from me is from my Lord, and not allow myself to get puffed up. I’ve already had more than enough struggles with pride, and I want no more of it!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the further blow to my pride that Cathy’s current computer issue brings. I’m used to being the computer guru, and at this point I have no good answer, my first attempts having been insufficient. I ask for Your wisdom to know where to turn, not for my sake but for hers. Help me hold my pride impulses firmly in check, so that You alone may be glorified. Thank You. Praise God!