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WARNING!
Like Moses, many pastors and leaders MUST be chosen by God to endure the suffering and hardships that comes with leading God’s people, especially “church folks”. It’s one of those things in life that makes you ask, “Who in their right mind would want to do that?” So you know it has to be God! Managing Kingdom business for God is too arduous for a frail frame made of dust. However, empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit, they can move mountains just by speaking to them! When I read about all that Moses went through while leading the people of God (Israelites) out of Egypt, during that 40-year wilderness trek, I marvel to say the least. Only God could enable him for such an awesome task—physically leading people out of captivity whose mind was still enslaved. Not to mention, he didn’t want it in the first place. Moses tried to convince God that he was not the man for the job (Exodus 4:10-13). But what God has purposed shall come to pass! So Moses was the man and that settled it. Sure, God allowed Aaron to be Moses’ spokesman because he could speak well; however, Aaron was not a leader. Moses was the voice of God to him; he only knew Moses as God (Exodus 4:16). Aaron was a follower. That is why he could be easily persuaded by the people to regress into sin. It’s strange how some people who are not chosen by God to give spiritual leadership seek after titles and positions. On the other hand, those who are chosen and anointed for leadership shun the call? Hmmm… think about it. I know faithful leaders that God anointed and appointed to lead His people. They self-deny for the ministry and sacrifice greatly. They are totally committed to doing the will of God— advancing the kingdom, building churches, evangelizing, loving and caring for God’s people, praying for them and their children, equipping the saints, teaching and preaching the Word without compromise. Yet in return they are ridiculed, persecuted, mocked and slandered by the same people they love and try to help. It is apparent that people who speak against God’s chosen and anointed servants are taking God’s mercy and grace for granted to the extreme. Undoubtedly, they have no fear of God, neither do they understand kingdom concepts or business. There’s no excuse for talking about the men and women of God. Blasting their failures, faults, weaknesses and sins only reveals their own ungodly character. There is no justification for negative criticism and gossip about anyone. What gives any of us the right to judge another person, or to question God’s sovereignty when He decides to choose who He wants to lead His people? When God entrusts His kingdom business to someone He chose, who are we to analyze the situation and give our opinions about God’s business? Are we telling God He doesn’t know what He’s doing? When someone speaks against God’s servants, namely his apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, they are speaking against Christ Himself. They are the chosen representatives and ambassadors with authority to speak on Christ’s behalf. To speak against them is to speak against God. To reject them is to reject God (Num. 14:11-12). To be exiled from God’s protection and provision is not a good thing. Truth is that’s dangerous, even suicidal! Ironically, it’s usually those closest to you that rebel against you—family members (Aaron and Miriam, Num. 12:1-2). Like Aaron (Moses’ brother) and Miriam (Moses’ sister), sometimes natural familiarity hinders the ability to separate the natural man/woman from their role as a spiritual leader, in which they are God’s spokesperson. Trying to lead family can make the job even more difficult. But the good news is God defends and protects His true servants. And whatever God has to do so that His plan and purposes prevail, will be done. Therefore we pray, “Thy kingdom come, and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God esteemed Moses highly and entrusted him with leadership responsibilities (Num. 12:6-8). To try and discredit God’s leaders is to isolate yourself from God. There’s a penalty for criticizing God’s chosen. Let this be a warning. God asked Aaron and Miriam, “Why were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” This same question is asked today. Unfortunately, the ‘critics’, ‘judges’, ‘gossipers’, ‘slanderers’, and 'mockers' don’t really know God. If you are not afraid to speak against God’s servant then you have no fear of God, or reverence for His sovereignty. Therefore, you are incapable of respecting his servants. Consequently, you become a spiritual leper—exiled (shut out) (isolated) (rejected) (an outcast) having no true relationship with Christ. As an outcast you cannot enjoy the pleasure of fellowship. Neither do you have the security of His presence. You are spiritually separated from God without His peace and supernatural power operating in your life. Speaking against God’s servants slows down the church’s progress and the upward move of God among His people. Today, speaking against leadership still angers God and carries grave consequences. Moreover, those who tolerate the gossip and criticism of others against leaders by lending a listening ear are also in danger of arousing the anger of the Lord. Sure we are under grace, but God’s standards and principles didn’t change in the New Testament. Sin is still sin. And God still vindicates, provides for and protects His own. However, as spiritual leaders we must be humble like Moses and more so like Christ as we continue to praying for those who criticize and persecute us. Let this be a WARNING!!! STOP SPEAKING AGAINST GOD’S SERVANTS Let today be a day of repentance. Confess the sin of speaking against God’s chosen. Ask the Lord to forgive you. He will; He will restore you as He promised in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
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©2007 Queen E. F. Phillips, Majestic
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