As they say... before engaging in war, know your enemy. But sometimes, we are our own enemy. Found this contemporary article online that details out various enemies of church ministry. I found an interesting article but have edited it to keep things short and sweet.
Let's arm ourselves with this knowledge and keep away from these things:
An unforgiving spirit: Matthew 18:21-35. The issue is never the nature of the sin, but the genuiness of repentance, the willingness to make it right.
Occult involvement: Acts 8:14-25. This one should be obvious, because it is the equivalent of seeking after other gods. Still, it's amazing how many people think Ouija boards, tarot cards or palmistry are harmless. Simon the Sorcerer was struck blind, not for wanting the power to bestow the Holy Spirit, but for trying to get that power through the wrong means. Many good books have already covered this.
Legalism: Acts 15:1-29. We can debate but Jesus made two things clear: (1) the Law of Moses never had anything to do with personal salvation, and (2) the actual Law of God was very much a higher standard. Jesus also said we could never live simple rules. We have to live in communion with God, the communion itself a living thing.
Sexual immorality: (too many references to list). How plain does it have to be made? Sex is holy between a husband (a male) and his wife (a female), in exclusive union, and at no other time, under no other circumstances. They must make public life-long commitment before God.
Divisive schemers: Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:9-11. Anyone who attempts to stay with the group while trying to alienate a certain person from the group.
An unforgiving spirit: Matthew 18:21-35. The issue is never the nature of the sin, but the genuiness of repentance, the willingness to make it right.
Occult involvement: Acts 8:14-25. This one should be obvious, because it is the equivalent of seeking after other gods. Still, it's amazing how many people think Ouija boards, tarot cards or palmistry are harmless. Simon the Sorcerer was struck blind, not for wanting the power to bestow the Holy Spirit, but for trying to get that power through the wrong means. Many good books have already covered this.
Legalism: Acts 15:1-29. We can debate but Jesus made two things clear: (1) the Law of Moses never had anything to do with personal salvation, and (2) the actual Law of God was very much a higher standard. Jesus also said we could never live simple rules. We have to live in communion with God, the communion itself a living thing.
Sexual immorality: (too many references to list). How plain does it have to be made? Sex is holy between a husband (a male) and his wife (a female), in exclusive union, and at no other time, under no other circumstances. They must make public life-long commitment before God.
Divisive schemers: Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:9-11. Anyone who attempts to stay with the group while trying to alienate a certain person from the group.
Partisans: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; Ephesians 4:1-6; Philippians 4:2 and others. There is no room for "we versus they" especially among leaders. Those you lead may never quite accept this wholly, but it's your job to speak and operate under the assumption of unity.
Law-Suit happy: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11. Anyone threatening to use outside force to coerce the church to accept their demands has no clue how God works.
Selfish indiscipline: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22. All the talent in the world can't justify someone whose only interest is themselves.
Lawbreakers: Romans 13:1-10. Those who have contempt for social order and the rule of civil law will only destroy church ministry. These are the same people who will reject church authority sooner or later.
Homewreckers: Ephesians 5:22-6:4. The Word of God places a high premium on the sanctity of marriage and family life. Some tension within the home is normal, especially if there are teenagers.
Otherwise, efforts should be made to preserve families not wreck them.Laziness: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. Not everyone in this world can be productive in the ordinary sense, but those unwilling to contribute will only slow things down, burdening those who are willing to work.
False teachers: 2 Peter 2. While there are many fine books on the content of teaching, and what constitutes "false teaching," the point here is that some will seek personal fame and gain. They love having influence, and don't care how they get it. Few false teachers can wear the mask of humility very long.
Glory grabbers: 3 John 9-11. Similar to the previous, folks like this have only one goal in mind -- their own glory. Remember, the church is to glorify God not men.
Original article may be found here:
http://ed.asisaid.com/bible/leader/leader5.html
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