Eph. 4:1-3 – “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
In ministry, who we are rather than what we know is more important to inspire change in other’s lives. Who we are speaks of our character and integrity. All too often I have seen those with incredible spiritual potential who have talent, anointing and awesome gifts of Holy Spirit – but lack godly character and moral integrity. This lack of character always brings disheartening, tragic results!
I call this the Samson Syndrome. Just like Samson, many have great charisma and anointing, but their moral deficiencies will eventually bring about a fall. When ministers have gifts and exposure that is greater than their character – a fall is eminent.
Those with the Samson Syndrome have the need to perform to succeed in order to maintain their reputations through their own strength and abilities, rather than allowing Holy Spirit to do the work of advancement and promotion. They rush ahead of God in self-promotion seeking exposure, recognition and acclaim before being matured through God’s plan.
FOUR COMPONENTS are essential for godly character:
LOVE; INTEGRITY; MATURITY; HUMILITY
LOVE – the gifts of Holy Spirit – the anointing – all true ministry originates through God’s AGAPE love. Without love we are “gifted nothings”. Matt. 7:21-23 describes those who have talent without the proper motivation – love. Without the motivation of love – lawlessness results.
INTEGRITY – Webster’s – “The quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness; honesty; and sincerity. Integrity means no hidden agendas exist and everything is out in the open. Integrity requires that our actions match out words – that we practice what we preach – this goes double for those of us in ministry!
MATURITY – involves sound biblical reasoning, a Spirit-led decision making. Maturity is developed from passing through life’s fiery trials. Isa. 48:10 – “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” It’s the private testing that solidifies and matures our character. A mature person walks in meekness and esteems others above themselves. Maturity also allows us to see through the chaos of the natural, temporary realm into the eternal purposes of God.
HUMILITY – is the kingdom mentality that declares Jesus Christ is Lord – not us! Humility imparts a desire within us to bless others and their gifts rather than our own. Humility is a divine magnet for God’s blessing to be attracted into one’s life – Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5-7.
Godly character is developed as we walk through adversity, pain and difficulty. Our responses to these tests when no one sees us creates “hidden victories” that add up to godly character upon which Holy Spirit can use to demonstrate His glory (kabod -weightiness).
Let’s examine the lives of 2 kings – Saul and David
Saul had more potential and blessing on his life than David, yet his responses and actions causes his downfall. I believe we can learn some lessons and avoid the same temptations that caused Saul’s demise.
Saul – looked ideal as a leader
· Humble, generous, loving
· No symptoms of pride or vanity
· Courageous and considerate of his father
· Hated evil
· Handsome man – head and shoulders above his brethren
· Considerable stature and commanded honor and respect
· Ideally cut out for the job!
1st major mistake – disrespect and presumption (1 Sam 13)
· Saul was to wait for Samuel before going up against the Philistines at Gilgal. Saul violated the priesthood by offering sacrifices himself because of fear and impatience in waiting for Samuel – “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”
· Presumption, impatience and anxiety robbed Saul of blessing – How about you?
Next mistake:
· Impulsiveness and willful pride. 1 Sam. 13 – Jonathan and his armor bearer initiated a rout of the Philistines. Saul called for a priest to ask for God’s guidance, but before they could bring God’s wisdom, Saul panicked and impulsively sent his men into battle with a rashly imposed death sentence on any man who would eart food that day (1 Sam.14:24). This order caused many to sin and nearly cost Jonathan his life.
Final mistake:
· Disobedience and deceitfulness. Battling against the Amalekites, Saul captured Agag, their king – sparing his life as well as the livestock when told by God to utterly destroy them. When confronted by Samuel, Saul lied about his reasons for doing so.
· 1 Sam. 22-23
· 1 Sam. 16:14
Saul went from respected king to a man with jealous rage and hatred towards David. All from rejecting the word of God in his own life. Saul – once a man given a new heart by God, found himself with murder in his heart for David. He became so bitter and deceived that he sought for wisdom from the witch of Endor (1 Sam. 28:6-25). Saul’s tragedy finally ends with his own suicide on the battlefield against the Philistines (1 Sam. 31:4).
Saul started out with much more potential than David. Yes, both were susceptible to sin – David had his fleshly lusts, pride, deceit and the murder of Uriah to account for – BUT the difference between Saul and David was in their responses to their sin. When wrong – Saul would make excuses; David would repent. Saul would try to hide his wicked actions; David would confess. Saul would act impulsively; David would wait on a word from the Lord. Saul became jealous over his position; David supplied all that was needed for his successor to fulfill his destiny!
LESSON – we all face situations where contention, strife, pride, jealousy, envy, impatience, presumption and fear confront our lives. Our response to these situations becomes a test of our character and integrity. Will we respond like Saul or David?
David in his lament over Saul’s and Jonathan’s death was “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!” Will you succumb to this same tragedy through lack of integrity; or will you “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may be able to exalt you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:6)? Selah.
In ministry, who we are rather than what we know is more important to inspire change in other’s lives. Who we are speaks of our character and integrity. All too often I have seen those with incredible spiritual potential who have talent, anointing and awesome gifts of Holy Spirit – but lack godly character and moral integrity. This lack of character always brings disheartening, tragic results!
I call this the Samson Syndrome. Just like Samson, many have great charisma and anointing, but their moral deficiencies will eventually bring about a fall. When ministers have gifts and exposure that is greater than their character – a fall is eminent.
Those with the Samson Syndrome have the need to perform to succeed in order to maintain their reputations through their own strength and abilities, rather than allowing Holy Spirit to do the work of advancement and promotion. They rush ahead of God in self-promotion seeking exposure, recognition and acclaim before being matured through God’s plan.
FOUR COMPONENTS are essential for godly character:
LOVE; INTEGRITY; MATURITY; HUMILITY
LOVE – the gifts of Holy Spirit – the anointing – all true ministry originates through God’s AGAPE love. Without love we are “gifted nothings”. Matt. 7:21-23 describes those who have talent without the proper motivation – love. Without the motivation of love – lawlessness results.
INTEGRITY – Webster’s – “The quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness; honesty; and sincerity. Integrity means no hidden agendas exist and everything is out in the open. Integrity requires that our actions match out words – that we practice what we preach – this goes double for those of us in ministry!
MATURITY – involves sound biblical reasoning, a Spirit-led decision making. Maturity is developed from passing through life’s fiery trials. Isa. 48:10 – “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” It’s the private testing that solidifies and matures our character. A mature person walks in meekness and esteems others above themselves. Maturity also allows us to see through the chaos of the natural, temporary realm into the eternal purposes of God.
HUMILITY – is the kingdom mentality that declares Jesus Christ is Lord – not us! Humility imparts a desire within us to bless others and their gifts rather than our own. Humility is a divine magnet for God’s blessing to be attracted into one’s life – Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5-7.
Godly character is developed as we walk through adversity, pain and difficulty. Our responses to these tests when no one sees us creates “hidden victories” that add up to godly character upon which Holy Spirit can use to demonstrate His glory (kabod -weightiness).
Let’s examine the lives of 2 kings – Saul and David
Saul had more potential and blessing on his life than David, yet his responses and actions causes his downfall. I believe we can learn some lessons and avoid the same temptations that caused Saul’s demise.
Saul – looked ideal as a leader
· Humble, generous, loving
· No symptoms of pride or vanity
· Courageous and considerate of his father
· Hated evil
· Handsome man – head and shoulders above his brethren
· Considerable stature and commanded honor and respect
· Ideally cut out for the job!
1st major mistake – disrespect and presumption (1 Sam 13)
· Saul was to wait for Samuel before going up against the Philistines at Gilgal. Saul violated the priesthood by offering sacrifices himself because of fear and impatience in waiting for Samuel – “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”
· Presumption, impatience and anxiety robbed Saul of blessing – How about you?
Next mistake:
· Impulsiveness and willful pride. 1 Sam. 13 – Jonathan and his armor bearer initiated a rout of the Philistines. Saul called for a priest to ask for God’s guidance, but before they could bring God’s wisdom, Saul panicked and impulsively sent his men into battle with a rashly imposed death sentence on any man who would eart food that day (1 Sam.14:24). This order caused many to sin and nearly cost Jonathan his life.
Final mistake:
· Disobedience and deceitfulness. Battling against the Amalekites, Saul captured Agag, their king – sparing his life as well as the livestock when told by God to utterly destroy them. When confronted by Samuel, Saul lied about his reasons for doing so.
· 1 Sam. 22-23
· 1 Sam. 16:14
Saul went from respected king to a man with jealous rage and hatred towards David. All from rejecting the word of God in his own life. Saul – once a man given a new heart by God, found himself with murder in his heart for David. He became so bitter and deceived that he sought for wisdom from the witch of Endor (1 Sam. 28:6-25). Saul’s tragedy finally ends with his own suicide on the battlefield against the Philistines (1 Sam. 31:4).
Saul started out with much more potential than David. Yes, both were susceptible to sin – David had his fleshly lusts, pride, deceit and the murder of Uriah to account for – BUT the difference between Saul and David was in their responses to their sin. When wrong – Saul would make excuses; David would repent. Saul would try to hide his wicked actions; David would confess. Saul would act impulsively; David would wait on a word from the Lord. Saul became jealous over his position; David supplied all that was needed for his successor to fulfill his destiny!
LESSON – we all face situations where contention, strife, pride, jealousy, envy, impatience, presumption and fear confront our lives. Our response to these situations becomes a test of our character and integrity. Will we respond like Saul or David?
David in his lament over Saul’s and Jonathan’s death was “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!” Will you succumb to this same tragedy through lack of integrity; or will you “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may be able to exalt you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:6)? Selah.