[Biblemat] S) PREACHERS: THE PREY OF THE LIONS (2)

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is the second part
of this particular study from my files.  Use to the glory of God.

PREACHERS: THE PREY OF THE LIONS  (2)

THE LION OF COVETOUSNESS: -- Paul encouraged Timothy
to remember "godliness is a means of great gain when accom-
panied by contentment" (1 Tim. 6:6), warning him that "the
love of money is a root of all sorts of evil" (1 Tim. 6:10).  The
young preacher was warned  to "flee from these things" (1
Tim. 6:11).  Most in our society have an insatiable appetite
for things -- and they want them now!  As a result, indebted-
ness, fueled by covetousness, is eating away at the financial
fabric of our society; and preachers are not immune.  The
price of this indebtedness, however, is high.  A wise man said, "The rich 
rules over the poor, and the borrower becom-
es the lender's slave" (Prov. 22:7).  What happens when you
create such a financial mess that you can no longer meet
your obligations?  Is that not sinful?  What does it do to your
reputation?  What does it do to the reputation of the church
in your community when they are faced with the report of
debts you have left unpaid?  I have a friend who is a Senior
Bank VP who told me that a loan officer learns to avoid the
three "p's" when lending -- one of which was preachers.  
Don't succumb to the lion!

THE LION OF SEXUAL TEMPTATION: -- Paul commanded
Timothy to "flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteous-
ness" (2 Tim. 2:22).  He had also warned the Corinthians to
"flee immorality" (1 Cor. 6:18).  It is against the background
of these warnings that Timothy was told to treat the "older
women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all
purity" (1 Tim. 5:2).  So preachers -- in terms my grandmother
would use -- "behave yourself!"  Don't flirt.  You can't take 
fire in your bosom and not be burned (Prov 6:27).  "Drink
water from your own cistern" (Prov. 5:15) or, as Paul said,
"each man is to have his own wife" (1 Cor. 7:2).

     Solomon warned of sin's consequences when he said that
"the way of the transgressor is hard" (Prov. 13:15).  Address-
ing the man who goes in to the adulteress he said, "None who
go to her returns again..." (Prov. 2:19).  When an evangelist
yields to the siren song of the adulteress, much and lasting
damage is the result.  In some cases, adultery has been the
public signal of a soul spiraling downward into the dark abyss
of sin never to return again.  In others, hearts have been con-
trite and from a penitent heart, genuine confession was made.  Still, trust 
and confidence are lost and though it might
be regained in a measure over a period of time, life will never
be the same as before.

     You would think that such instruction would not be lost on
preachers and elders, but sometimes it is!  Preacher, you are
in the public eye.  There are some ungodly women for whom 
you will be tempted.  Don't bring this shame upon the Lord!  I 
agree with Connie Adams who wrote, "The cause of our Lord
is far too important for any of us to give in to such temptat-
ions to the destruction of our own families, the detriment of
our own souls, and the retardation of the greatest work in the
world"  (Truth Magazine, Vol. 51, No. 1, p. 29).  Don't succumb to the lion!

THE LION OF PRIDE: -- "God has not given us a spirit of tim-
idity, but of power and love and discipline" (2 Tim. 1:7).  This
instruction was given to a young man who likely was hesitant
when he need to speak.  A preacher needs to have the cour-
age to say the things that need to be said.  Still, no one shou-
ld ever think that the commission to preach is a license for
pompous arrogance.  Timothy was a bondservant (Phil. 1:1),
nothing less, but nothing more.  He was someone who found
his significance in his service.  There are times, especially 
when something good has occurred, when we are prone to take personal credit 
and bask in the glory of our own accom-
plishments.  Jesus taught us to remember that "we are unwor-
thy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have
done" (Lk. 17:10).  Let us all remember that life is really about
Him, not us.  Let us hide behind the marvelous cross of Christ and exalt Him 
in all things.  Don't succumb to the lion!

     I have been preaching now for over thirty-three yeas.  More and more 
when preachers gather I tend to be one of the
older of the bunch.  I make that point only to say that with 
experience comes a little observation.  Most all preachers I
know are sincere, dedicated, hard working, and morally pure
servants of God who serve as  wonderful examples to those
among whom they live and work.  Praise God, and may He
increase the tribe!  Occasionally, however, news comes of a
soldier who has fallen, having become prey to the lion.  It
breaks my heart!  More importantly, it breaks the heart of 
God (Eph. 4:30).  Every gospel preacher should constantly
bear in mind that we wear the lovely, bloodstained name of
Jesus, and...act like it.  -------- Jim Deason in Biblical Insights,
Vol. 7, No. 3, March 2007.   </HTML>
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