Question: Why do so many Senior Leaders
Why do so many churches get caught in power struggles and splits?
Why do the people who called a pastor now actively work against him or her?
Why do so many churches get distracted from their primary purpose to put out fires and deal with politics?
It maybe true to say that Satan has got a foothold but the question to ask is why are we still giving him footholds to use?
As churches and leaders we may focus on the spiritual and the mission but fail to appreciate the importance of emotional maturity and the battlefield of the mind,
of our people.
If the Father of Lies can simply keep us believing a lie somewhere in our life then he can succeed in undermining us. Satan’s primary weapon is the power of the lie. When we are able to identify these lies in ourselves and in our people, and instead replace them with truth, we, by and large, close the door on his interference. His influence is primarily not in the area of our spirit, but in the area of our soul – our mind. We need to be taught how to identify these lies, and how to replace them with truth that will set us free.
Too often we have the mindset that we’re all okay – there are people who have problems real problems and then there is us… and yet we have no idea about dealing with difficult people, conflict, applying biblical truth to relationships, finances, work and home life – no idea how to move on from a hurt, a habit or a hang-up. Often it is only when stress or conflict arise that the true level of emotional maturity is exposed in everyone.
We are all recovering from the Fall. We all have issues, unhelpful thought patterns, unhelpful emotional responses that limit the way we live our lives… they limit our relationship with God and with others, they limit our evangelism and how effective we are as “salt and light” in the world. As such, “You are either in recovery or you are in denial” – Dr Grant Mullen.
Consider the following biblical verses:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for from it springs all the issues of life” – Pr. 4:23
“…be transformed by the renewing on your mind” – Rom. 12:2
“…be renewed in the spirit of your mind” – Eph.4:23
“…we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ” – 2 Cor. 10:5
“…the truth will set you free” – John 8:32
“…first take the log out of your own eye…” Mt 7:5
But how do we do this?
The Bible also says “As a he thinks in his heart so is he” (Pr 23:7), but outside of a power encounter with the Holy Spirit, how do our people effectively change at a deep level – the type of change that renews the mind releasing the transforming power of the Spirit?
Reality Check
If you asked people in our churches what the basic characteristics of a healthy spiritual life are, they would be able to tell you, but if you asked them about the basics of a healthy mental and emotional life, they would look at you with a blank stare.
God has renewed our spirit in Him but our soul still needs to catch up. Consider the issues that strangle the fruitfulness of many believers (Mk 4:7, 18-19) are they not all issues of the soul, issues of the mind and heart?
Often believers know what is required of them but lack the truth (the insights) needed as to how or why. When this happens a person’s faith can be reduced to behaviourism and with that comes frustration and resentment; and inevitably a dwindling or loss of faith.
We need to up our game in the area of mental and emotional fitness. We need to train our leaders and our people how to ‘virus check’ their souls.
As we do this we do this not only does our emotional health increase but spiritual transformation also takes place. This is because the Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (Jn 16:13), and we are transformed as our minds are renewed according to the Truth (Rom 12:2). The Spirit moves through the channels of truth within us but when we are loyal to a lie (unblief and misbelief) we quench the Spirit (1 Thess 5:19). So in order to allow the Spirit to flow free through us, transforming us and filling us with His fruit we need to learn to weed out any lie that would block His work. We release the work of the Spirit within us as we learn to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ (the One who is the Truth) – 2 Cor 10:5
Churches and leaders that are stronger in their mind and emotions become a greater asset for the kingdom. They remove footholds the enemy can use to undermine, and instead release the work of the Spirit within them and their church. They become better able to be who God has created them to be, fighting fit and functioning with greater passion and strength over the long haul.
