Ask for the Old Paths

Paul admonished Timothy: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). In 1 Thessalonians 5:22 he reinforced his assertion when he said, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

I’m aware that words are simply combinations of sounds to which certain connotations have been attached thus giving them meaning. The contention of Paul is that in Christian communication, one should avoid using those to which there is associated evil or questionable connotations. In Ephesians 4:29, Paul strengthened his case when he said: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” The Psalmist prayed: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalms 19:14).

There is a fundamental principle built into the human race which states that whatever flows onto the leadership of any structure or organization will consequently flow out onto its constituency. Therefore, the lifestyle and values of the leadership of a church will ultimately replicate itself in the congregation. We should not be deceived into thinking that the things we do in our private lives and remain hidden won’t affect those under us. The enemy is very insidious in that he is able to seize those things done in private and insinuate them into the lives of those who follow us.

Jeremiah addressed many of the primary issues that face us as leaders in the Kingdom. In Chapter six he detailed four failures of the shepherds of Judah that are broadly applicable today.

1. Disregard for the Word of God. “To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it” (Jeremiah 6:10). One’s life is shaped by his value system and his value system is shaped by his attitude toward the Word. MANY TAKE THE BIBLE LITERALLY BUT DO THEY TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND MANY WHO TAKE IS SERIOUSLY, DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY! To study the Scripture solely as a necessity of one’s professional responsibility has little effect on his personal life. The greatest messages are those that are born out of the inner speaking of the Spirit of God regarding one’s personal life. The failure to nurture one’s personal life with the Word of God will ultimately starve his people.

2. Covetousness. “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one deals falsely” (Jeremiah 6:13). It is not wrong for a Christian leader to be financially secure. It is wrong, however, for him to prostitute his ministry, his time and energy, using them for financial achievement. If we as leaders don’t set the example as those who trust the faithfulness of the benevolent God we worship and serve, then we can’t expect our flocks to do so. It is very important to our spiritual welfare and that of our flocks that we seek first the Kingdom and its righteousness – trusting God to supply our personal needs.

3. Band Aid solutions for life’s cancers. “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). Platitudes, canned sermons and illustrations, with accompaning clichés will not provide the power of God for the healing of a people. We often are more of a referral service than the energized servants of God who, laying hold on God, supply His divine power for human solutions. Churches that suffer the least attrition are those whose ministries offer Godly solutions. Many falter in ministering to the hurting and the straying because of the personal stress and responsibility involved.

4. Unashamed moral compromise. “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush” (Jeremiah 6:15). The so-called “sexual revolution” has not left the church and its leaders unscathed. Satan has made sure that God’s servants are exposed to the greatest temptations. The prayer closet of many has become a chamber of corruption. The ever-expanding availability of pornographic material has touched many men at the point of their greatest vulnerability. The temptation supplied by their computers often overpowers the God given restraint that has protected God’s servants in the past. Today, the temptations generated by privacy rob men of their most sanctified time where they normally would get alone with God.

These are indeed perilous times. Jeremiah summarized his detailing of the failure of God’s leaders by inviting them to return to a life of greater values; to a time when they knew the paths of righteousness and submitted to the God of righteousness. “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).

Jeff

• Jefferson H. and Norma R. Floyd, CO-directors • Jubilee International • P. O. Box 572 • Noblesville, IN 46061 • Copyright November 2007 by Jefferson H. Floyd. All rights reserved.