ST. PAUL SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

"Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ." (I Corinthians 11:1)

(With Frank Eiklor and Walter Contreras)

TARGET: CHRISTIAN LEADERS

(Exposing Satan's Methods of Attack)

LESSON 69

INTRODUCTION

I first gave this message in South America. Walter Contreras translated my words into Spanish as we spoke to many pastors and other leaders in the churches. We had been told-and sensed-that there were rivalries, jealousies, envies, etc. that Satan was using to prevent the body of Christ from standing united in the Spirit.

When I speak to Christian leaders I do not tell them their own sins. I simply tell them how the devil has tempted me over many years and the sins I have been convicted of and called by God to confess in repentance. This helps other leaders to get honest and humble-and many then hunger to be free of self, sin and Satan and to be filled with the mighty Holy Spirit.

What are these traps that Satan uses to cause men and women of God to stumble and fall? We are about to find out. Remember, the prince of evil is real and has been at work on human beings for some six millennia. He has his own "devices" (2 Corinthians 2:11) and can make his ugly thoughts seem reasonable to our minds as he comes as an "angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). Be alert to the following tools in the devil's bag. Meditate on the scriptures in each point and make them a part of your life.

TEN TRAPS OF SATAN

1)  ETHNIC AND RACIAL WALLS

The love of God knows no borders. We all go back to Adam and our blood is the same color. Only skin color varies, so as to leave us "color-awed" at such a God of variety, beauty and uniqueness. Ephesians 2:11-16, 19-Christ has broken down every wall that divides, and uses the Cross as His bridge of love from one heart to another. 1 Corinthians 3:17-Those who elevate themselves or their ministries as of greater importance to God are merely "babes" and "carnal" in their thinking. Hebrews 11:13-16-No matter what country we come from or live in, we are all-pilgrims who are seeking "a better country" that God is preparing in a new heaven and new earth.

1 Corinthians 9:18-22-Like Paul, we will be free of ethnic and racial walls if we live as a servant of all and find common ground with all men in order to bring them to Jesus.

2)  INSISTENCE ON PREEMINENCE

3 John 9, 10-A man named Diotrephes loved to be the "big man". You can tell who has this kind of spirit-or if your own heart is being infected with this satanic spirit of preeminence. "Look only to me!" "It's my way or the highway!" "We have been given special light and do not need other people who are not part of our movement." "I am your leader and will do as I say-no questions asked!" "I do not want you fellowshipping with other Christians or churches. They may contaminate you. All you need is found here with us (me)."

Diotrephes had a big problem-and John, under apostolic authority was determined to expose this love of preeminence. Leader, beware!

3)  CONTENTIOUS SPIRIT

This is often seen in one who has a sense of superiority. It is usually a mask to hide a feeling of inferiority, with the tendency to come across as strong, independent and a little smarter or more spiritual than the rest. A contentious spirit is often seen in denominational and doctrinal arguments. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13-Contention and division fall away when the Cross is embraced and Christ's love is enthroned in our hearts. Galatians 5:14, 15-When God's love does not control us, the devil will-as we bite, devour and consume one another.

4)  JUDGMENTALISM

It's so easy to judge the splinter in a brother's eye while ignoring the plank in our own. But we are warned against falling into that trap.

Romans 2:1-3 exposes our tendency to judge others eve while we commit the same sins. Like the man who judges the sin of adultery (which we should do) while indulging the same sin in his lustful thoughts.

1 Corinthians 11:28-32-These scriptures, often used at the Lord's Supper, tell us where true judgment is to begin: we are to judge ourselves by letting the Holy Spirit search our own hearts so we can confess those sins and live free.

5)  HYPOCRISY

Beware the sin of saying one thing while doing another. "Do as he says, but don't do as he does" destroys a testimony and earns the reputation "he's a hypocrite".  Galatians 2:11-Even Peter got caught up in this sin and had to go nose to nose with the Apostle Paul.

(TO BE CONTINUED)