Spiritual Leadership – The Battle of Worry

"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.

It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house [Jesus Christ] Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household [believers – Christians]!

Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.   So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. "

"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.”

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it."

Matthew - Chapter 10:24-39 – The Bible

Jesus is the Master Teacher of all of us who follow Him. In our spiritual leadership, the only kind of true leadership for Christians, He is the Leader.

Jesus was accused of being the devil himself by “well meaning, highly respected” religious leaders who did not really do much to further His Kingdom. If you do well at the task, you will become a conviction to those who play church and religion. Those steeped in tradition, methods and knowledge who worship it rather than the One it is to lift up will slander and accuse you as you call the church and spiritual leaders to renewal. They will cry, “What right do you have to judge? Who made you the one who will qualify or disqualify other leaders? Why should we follow you?” They, too like the Pharisees, will miss the call of the called Spiritual Leader and they will miss that he speaks the words of God not his own.

The words of discouragement, insult and question will come from those even closest to the spiritual leader. Blood may be thicker than water and family loyalty might trump most relationships but blood and loyalty are not thicker than conviction. Those who are called “friends and family” who refuse to go down the Lord’s path will be forced to reject, explain away and call the true Spiritual Leader a fanatic. If they accept his or her leadership then they will have to repent, recognize and reach for God. Trust me, if they will not already accept the Master, they will not accept the Disciple.

The Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, the Ruler of all and the King of Kings who has been raised from the Dead by the very Spirit of God, never to die again, who has forgiven all sin and who has stolen the keys to hell and death is your Master. Do not fear those who went after Jesus and their descendents who go after you. Make sure that you are right with the Father, an excellent Christian Spiritual Leader, and then do your job.

“What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.”

He who is Most Powerful will reveal, defend and take care of those who scheme and plan against His own.

“Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”

Spiritual Leaders are called to be peacemakers but their very message will set the Followers against the wanderers. Spiritual Leaders are called to win the lost and to lead the Church but the words of God that they speak will often cause the lost to choose permanently the common enemy’s path and to offend those who are “part” of the Church but not members of it. Spiritual Leaders must never seek to offend but to follow God – the Master – as he leads them in leadership. However, it is most certain that following God will bring the attacks of the religious and dead.

In those times, choose the Path of the Lord. Fear him who called you. They may crucify you, steal your position, capture your friends and run you out of town. Fear Him. As long as you are truly following His Words, then fear Him who is greater than those that can only kill the body. They are weak.

What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

Do your job, the job of the Master, without wavering. Fear not. They will threaten you, tell you that you are mistaken, tell you that the Church will fall apart, and that people just can’t handle this level of commitment all at once. They will tell you many things but you are to follow and speak the words of God.

You are a leader, called by God, filled by His Spirit and you are his feet on earth. Follow the vision whispered to you in the dark. Shout it from the mountaintops. Call the Church to diligence and purity. Do not waiver! Do not quit! He gave you the job and they cannot take it away unless He lets them. He will care for you because He has lived as you and has called you. Do not waiver! Fear no committee even close to what you fear God. Fear no friend even close to what you fear God. Fear no one other than God and no words other than His Words.

Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.