A survey from John Mark Ministries in OZ, showed that there are over 14,000 ex pastors, and only 14,000 pastors in ministry. 70% of ex-pastors don’t attend church! Another survey showed that 95% of pastors who had fallen, said they had stopped daily devotions.
This book of James gives a warning. “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Sadly I’ve seen many teachers become conceited and prideful, envious and full of selfish ambition.
This is earthly, unspiritual and demonic! But we need to be heavenly minded, not earthly minded and to ask, God what he wants us to share?
We need to be spiritual, not unspiritual. To not speak from the flesh, but from what the Spirit leads. That doesn’t mean leaders should not do sermon prep because the Holy Spirit can and does lead and anoint leaders when we prepare.
The third one is a tough one, James says in chapter 3:14-15:
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
We can be demonic with our tongues! Just like when Jesus rebuked Peter. He said get behind me Satan! Demons can speak through us, so we need to deliver ourselves daily!
Deliverance starts with us. We need to confess our sin, and rebuke the devil ourselves! I regularly include this in my prayer life, almost every day. I can’t afford to give the devil a foothold!
Lord, I give you my mouth, my heart, my hands, my feet, my eyes, my whole body, my soul and Spirit. Deliver me from Evil in Jesus name! If you can use anything Lord, You can use me! Amen.