Characteristics to Avoid – Put Off

Colossians 3:5-9 "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. God's terrible anger will come upon those who do such things. You used to do them when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds."

Ephesians 4:25-30 "So put away all falsehood and 'tell your neighbour the truth' because we belong to each other. And 'don't sin by letting anger gain control over you.' Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption."

The Bible commands us as believers to put off – like a garment – those things in our lives that are ungodly and those things that cause us to act in a manner that is not righteous and to put on – like a garment – those things that will lead to righteousness. As a leader and as a person of influence more than ever we need to make the decision to change our nature and our character so that we become more like Christ and therefore our lives will reflect Him and His love. When we maintain our old sinful nature and allow our relationships, actions and functions to flow out of this type of character we will be no different from the leadership of the world. However when we make a choice – today – to put off these old attitudes and actions – our leadership style will be different. Our influence on other people's lives will cause many to be changed.

Henry Blackaby said: "Effective leadership does not happen by chance. It happens on purpose."

The choice to be a person of character is completely up to us. Though we have been commanded to "put off" those qualities in us that are not of God, we choose and decide to do it. As a leader we need to choose to put off those qualities that make us ineffective as Christian leaders and walk in obedience to God's commands.

One of the greatest strengths effective leaders have is an ability to properly manage and control their emotions. The Bible is full of leaders reaping the consequences, both positive and negative, of responding out of emotion. Moses found out the hard way that responding out of your anger can have serious ramifications. He struck a rock out of anger to produce water for his nagging followers which resulted in this response from the Lord: "Because you did not trust in me enough to honour me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them" (Numbers 20:12). In vivid contrast, we see David dancing and rejoicing before the ark of Lord resulting in worship that was so radical his wife called it "vulgar" (2 Samuel 6). David's emotion—unrestrained in this case—brought pleasure to the Lord. There is a strong link between our attitudes and our emotions. It's clear that our attitude determines the emotional trajectory in which we lead, i.e., the way we approach the ministry God has called us to and the influence we have on others.

PUT AWAY QUARRELLING

2 Timothy 2:24 "And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil."

1 Timothy 3:3 "Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous."

DEFINITION

The word quarrel means:

• To dispute violently or with loud and angry words; to wrangle; to scold.
• To fight; to scuffle; to contend; to squabble.
• To fall into variance.
• To find fault; to cavil.
• To disagree; to be at variance; not to be in accordance in form or essence.

Most people justify their desire to argue with others by saying that they are just differing on opinion or that they are only "debating" what they believe. However when our "debates" lead to negative actions then we need to stop and consider our actions. How can we know the difference? The difference between a debate and a quarrel is this:

A debate can be defined as "a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal." "Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures … for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus." (Acts 18:24,28) "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong." (1 Peter 3:15-17)

By contrast, a quarrel could be defined as "a rude altercation." "Remind them of this, and charge them before The Lord to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of Truth. Avoid such Godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will eat its way like gangrene." (2 Timothy 2:14-17) "If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with Godliness, he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among men" (1 Timothy 6:3-5)

QUARRELS AND CONTENTIONS ARE THE WORK OF THE FLESH

Romans 1:28-29, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers . . . ."

Galatians 5:19-21, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Romans 2:8, "But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath . . . ."

James 3:14-16, "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

WHAT CAUSES QUARRELS?

James 4:1-2 "What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn't it the whole army of evil desires at war within you? You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous for what others have, and you can't possess it, so you fight and quarrel to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don't have what you want is that you don't ask God for it."

Quarrels come from:

• Selfishness

The first reason that we quarrel with others is because we are selfish. By nature we are selfish beings and therefore we covet and allow our own passions and desires to cause us to want everything to go our way. We say "When I get what I want, then all is well. But when I don't get my way, when I don't get what I want, you better watch out." James 3:14-16 "But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil."

• Worldliness

In James 4:2 we find the word "covet." The word "covet" means "to want what others have." When we are covetous about what others have – their income, their position, their promotions etc – we become covetous and therefore begin to quarrel. "Passions", "desires" and "covetousness" are all words that describe the good things of the world. Colossians 3:1-5 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."

• Pride

Contentions and quarrels are a mark of foolish pride. Proverbs 13:10, "Only by pride cometh contention but with the well advised is wisdom." Proverbs 28:25, "He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife."

• Slander and Gossip

Slander and gossip cause strife. Proverbs 22:10, "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease." Proverbs 16:28, "A forward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends." Proverbs 26:20 "Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops."

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF QUARRELS AND CONTENTIONS?

Acts 15:36-41 "And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches."

Disunity and ineffectiveness as a ministry is a result of quarrels and contentions especially if it is found amongst the leadership.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TELL US TO DO?

• Follow the example of Jesus

Isaiah 42:2 "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street." 1 Peter 2:23 "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."

• Be focused on God and not on your own desires and on what the world offers

1 John 2:15-16 "Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world."

• Be humble

Philippians 2:3, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

• Avoid quarrels

Titus 3:9-11 "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." How can we avoid arguments and quarrels? Proverbs 17:14 "Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out."

• Think before you speak

Think before you start to argue. Proverbs 15:28 "A good man thinks before he speaks; the evil man pours out his evil words without a thought."

• Use a quiet response

Use a quiet response to prevent arguments. It's in the Bible, Proverbs 15:1, TLB. "A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels."

By contrast, the godly leader is un-contentious, willing to listen, not argumentative, not given to a fighting spirit. He is a peace-maker, but not a peace-breaker.

PUT AWAY WRONG ACTIONS OF ANGER

Titus 1:7 "An elder must live a blameless life because he is God's minister. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or greedy for money."

James 1:20 "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

DEFINITION

The word "quick tempered" can be described as being hot headed or "quickly moved to wrath." It describes a person who blows his top whenever he gets angry. Proverbs 29:22 warns us about this tendency: "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins."

Webster's defines anger as "a violent passion of the mind excited by a real or supposed injury; usually accompanied with a propensity to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party. This passion however varies in degrees of violence, and in ingenuous minds, may be attended only with a desire to reprove or chide the offender."

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF A QUICK TEMPER?

Proverbs 29:22 "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression."

• First, anger makes you careless

"The fool rageth, and is confident" (Proverbs 14:16). The word confident in Hebrew is also translated careless! An angry person is a careless person. An angry person is a reckless person as they don't stop to think how their angry outbursts affect those around them. They "blow up" all over everyone, leaving them upset and perhaps fearful. Then they go along their merry way not paying any attention to the havoc they caused. They have forgotten it and they mistakenly think that everyone else has also.

• Second, anger goads you to make wrong choices

Proverbs 14:17 "Those who are short-tempered do foolish things, and schemers are hated." King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:19-22 is an example of this. He lost some of his top military men because he was so angry with three Hebrew teenagers who would not bow down and worship his idol.

• Third, anger has negative social consequences

Proverbs 22:24-25 says, "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." Ecclesiastes 7:9 "Don't be quick-tempered, for anger is the friend of fools."

• Fourth, anger has negative health consequences too

1 Kings 21:4-6 shows how Ahab's anger affected him physically. He was depressed; he lost his appetite and his motivation. Anger can lead to ulcers, colitis, high blood pressure, strokes, heart trouble, headaches, hardening of the arteries, kidney disease, arthritis and more according to medical studies. Proverbs 14:30 "A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones." The word envy comes from the Hebrew word which means passionate anger against someone or something.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TELL US WE SHOULD DO?

• Confess anger as sin

What does it mean to confess sin? Confession is ceasing to deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8) about what is happening in our hearts, ceasing to continue the defence mechanisms of denial, avoidance, distortion, cover-up, calling sin "sin." It means that we recognize, admit, acknowledge, concede and declare our guilt of sin and make a mental commitment to change behavioural action. We must always maintain a heart that is willing to confess secret sins of the heart to God. David understood the importance of this principle. Psalm 32:5 – "I acknowledge my sin to Thee…I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." Psalm 38:18 – "I confess my iniquity."

• Make a commitment to "put off" anger

"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth." Colossians 3:8

• Make a conscience decision to no longer allow anger to rule your life

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil (Psalm 37:8). "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:26-7). Proverbs 19:11 "A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression." What makes you slow to anger? Your discretion. Discretion is the freedom, the authority, and the power to make your own choices and make decisions. We have the freedom in Christ to walk in righteousness – no longer enslaved by sin. We have the authority to deny sin and walk in victory. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to conquer our flesh. In other words, our temper is at our discretion – we have the freedom, authority, and power to make our own choice – the choice to become angry or not.

• Ask God to set a watch over your mouth so that you think before you speak

"Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Psalms 141:3). "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things" (Proverbs 15:28). Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).

• Forgive those you are angry with

"Forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" (Colossians 3:13). "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment … first go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:21-24).

• Choose to overlook insults instead of reacting to them

"A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult" (Proverbs 12:16).

• Choose to be gentle in the way you speak to others

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). "A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel" (Proverbs 15:18). "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered" (Proverbs 17:27). "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:29-32).

• Choose to love others as Paul admonishes us to

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs" (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

• Choose to be self controlled instead of ruled by your emotions

Proverbs 16:32 "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city." Being slow to anger is being able to rule your spirit – to have self-control. And self-control comes from being filled with the Spirit, and walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 "…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…" When you follow the Spirit instead of the flesh, self-control will be a byproduct in your life.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING SLOW TO ANGER?

The Bible also speaks of the benefits of not being quick-tempered.

• Those who are slow to anger have understanding: Proverbs 14:29 "He who is slow to anger has great understanding…" When we are slow to anger we are able to listen to the whole story before we make rash decisions on how we react to what we are hearing. People who are slow to anger are able to make decisions that are according to the Word of God and not their emotions.
• Those who are slow to anger do not stir up trouble. Proverbs 15:18 "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute." Being slow-tempered gives you the power to pacify a situation, instead of intensifying it.

PUT AWAY PLEASING MAN

Colossians 3:23-25 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality."

Galatians 1:10 "Obviously, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant."

1 Thessalonians 2:4 "For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts."

DEFINITION

What does it mean to please others? It means to seek the approval of others and therefore acting in a manner that will result in approval. For example: If we seek to find the approval of God we will be obedient to Him. However, if we seek to receive the approval of man, we will act in a manner that will gain this approval. This might mean that we might not be truthful in presenting the Word of God to others in fear of offending them.

WHAT IS THE MOTIVE OF THE LEADER WHO PLEASES OTHERS?

Matthew 6:1 "Take care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven."

The leader who chooses to please others instead of God is the leader that is in need of and is craving the praise of men. Finding human approval therefore becomes a personal priority of this person. An example of this type of leadership is found in the example of the hypocrites in Matthew 6. Matthew 6:5 "And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get." Matthew 6:16 "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get." Jesus gave another example of this type of leadership when speaking of the Pharisees: John 12:43 "For they loved human praise more than the praise of God."

Pontius Pilate was also a man pleaser. Mark 15:15 "So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified." Pilate could've released Jesus and not allowed Him to be executed. But instead Pilate bowed down to public pressure.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING A MAN PLEASER?

Leaders who are men pleasers adapt their message to their audiences. Men-pleasers deliver to their audiences that which will elicit their approval. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 "And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus—who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you."

Leaders who are men pleasers will not administer godly discipline. They carefully avoid negative pronouncements. Though God requires preachers to "convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching," this duty is neglected by men-pleasers in situations where such wouldn't be welcomed. It is one thing to "speak the truth in love," (Ephesians 4:15), but to speak without truth is not loving, even if praised and applauded by men.

Leaders who please men will use association to generate favour. When preaching and practice is aimed to please a group, gain the favour of well-known brothers or gain access to a circle or cliché, the point has been missed altogether. Do we not know that "friendship with the world is enmity with God?" (James 4:4). And what a contrast, that some preachers seek reputation when Jesus "made Himself of no reputation" (Philippians 2:7)! The inordinate desire to advance above others was part of the way of life Paul renounced in his obedience to the gospel (see Galatians 1:13-16.)

"The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe." (Proverbs 29:25)

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IF WE HAVE CHOSEN TO PLEASE MAN?

Every leader needs to ask the question stated in Galatians 1:10. "Do I seek to please men?" Paul responded: "For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

• Choose to stop pleasing men

There are many examples in the Bible where we see that we do not have to be a man pleaser. Jesus was not a man pleaser. He spoke the truth no matter how many enemies He was going to make by speaking the truth (Matthew 23:13-26). Peter also was a leader who chose to speak the truth and only please God (Acts 5:3-9). Stephen did not chose to please men (Acts 7:51-53).

• Choose to please God only

We are to only please God. We should not look to find the approval of men because we have received a greater honour than this – we have been accepted and approved by God. Ephesians 1:6 "So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son." He loves and approves of us and therefore we do not have to build our esteem on anything other than on His love.

HOW CAN WE PLEASE GOD?

• We must maintain a humble heart. Psalm 51:16-17 "You would not be pleased with sacrifices, or I would bring them. If I brought you a burnt offering, you would not accept it. The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise."
• We must be obedient to Him only: 1 Samuel 15:22 "But Samuel replied, 'What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.'"
• We must be full of faith: Hebrews 11:6 "So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."
• We must live a life of surrender to God: Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine."

PUT AWAY GREED

Ezekiel 34:1-8 "The word of the Lord came to me: 'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. …'"

1 Timothy 3:3 "He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, peace loving, and not one who loves money."

Titus 1:7 "An elder must live a blameless life because he is God's minister. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or greedy for money."

DEFINITION

The Bible provides us with a rich definition of greed. From a Christian perspective, the core definition of greed is that it is the obsession with accumulating material goods. A greedy person values material goods more than they value God. The Bible also tells us that greed is something that can never be satisfied. Ecclesiastes 5:10 "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity."

Greed is sin and is contrary to the character of God. In the Bible it is listed with the gravest sins. Mark 7:22 "adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness." Romans 1:29 "Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behaviour, and gossip." Ephesians 5:3 "Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people."

Greed is idolatry. Ephesians 5:5 "You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world." Colossians 3:5 "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry."

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES TO GREED?

• Lust and envy: James 4:2 "You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous for what others have, and you can't possess it, so you fight and quarrel to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don't have what you want is that you don't ask God for it."
• Covetousness: Exodus 20:17 "Do not covet your neighbour's house. Do not covet your neighbour's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbour owns." Romans 7:7 "Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is evil? Of course not! The law is not sinful, but it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, 'Do not covet.'" Romans 7:8 "But sin took advantage of this law and aroused all kinds of forbidden desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power."
• Materialism: Greed causes a person to live for possessions (Luke 12:15), to have the mentality of "get rich quick" (1 Timothy 6:9), and to love money (1 Timothy 6:10).
• Becoming distracted by worldly things instead of being focused on God: Luke 16:13 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
• Using ministry as a means to become rich: 1 Thessalonians 2:5 says, "Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you very well know. And God is our witness that we were not just pretending to be your friends so you would give us money!" 2 Corinthians 2:17 "You see, we are not like those hucksters—and there are many of them—who preach just to make money. We preach God's message with sincerity and with Christ's authority. And we know that the God who sent us is watching us." 1 Timothy 6:5-9 "These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they don't tell the truth. To them religion is just a way to get rich. Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth. After all, we didn't bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction."
• Corrupting our better judgement: James 5:1-6 "Look here, you rich people, weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh in hell. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment. For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every whim. Now your hearts are nice and fat, ready for the slaughter. You have condemned and killed good people who had no power to defend themselves against you."

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

• Do not put your trust in riches of this world, trust in God: James 5:2 "Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags." Wealth and material things are not eternal and therefore should not have more priority than our faith and trust in God. Psalm 34:8-10 "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him! Let the Lord's people show him reverence, for those who honour him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing."
• Repent of greed: 1 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."
• Learn to be content with what you have: God's character developed within us leads us to live a life of contentment. God lacks nothing, wants nothing and therefore we will never want for our needs to be met. Our responsibility is to always, "be content with your wages" (Luke 3:14). Philippians 4:11 says Paul was "content in whatever circumstances I am". Paul told Timothy that "godliness is means of gain, accompanied by contentment" (1 Timothy 6:6). Hebrews tells us that we need to be "content with what you have" (Hebrews 13:5).
• Learn to be generous: 1 Timothy 6:18 "They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share." Luke 3:10-14 "And the crowds asked him, 'What then shall we do?' And he answered them, 'Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.' Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, 'Teacher, what shall we do?' And he said to them, 'Collect no more than you are authorized to do.' Soldiers also asked him, 'And we, what shall we do?' And he said to them, 'Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.'"
• Do not become obsessed with accumulating material things: The core definition of greed is the obsession with accumulating material goods. The Bible tells us that God does not reward us by the amount of material goods we accumulate during our lifetime. God judges us by our relationship to Jesus Christ, our love of God, and our love of our fellowman. Luke 12:15 "Then he said, 'Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.'"

PUT AWAY PRIDE

1 Timothy 3:6 "An elder must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall."

DEFINITION

There are two Hebrew words that are used for our English word pride: "geah" which means to be proud or haughty (Proverbs 8:13, 29:23) and "zed" which means "pride and presumption" (Proverbs 11:2, 13:10). The Greek words for pride are "hyperephania" which means to "appear above" (Mark 7:22, Romans 1:30), "kauchema" which means to "boast" (Romans 11:20), "alazon" which means "to boast" and "doxa" which means to be arrogant, boastful and a reviler (2 Timothy 3:2).

Pride therefore can be defined as being "high, lifted up, lofty, exalted". It therefore involves self-exaltation, haughtiness, conceit and presumption. Pride is self-orientation, contrary to character of God.

Pride is a grave sin and is listed among the 7 things that God detests in Proverbs 6:16-19. Proverbs 21:4 says "A high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin." Pride usually is a result of self-righteousness (Luke 18:11-12), religious privileges (Zephaniah 3:11), unsanctified knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1), inexperience (1 Timothy 3:6) and possession of power (Leviticus 26:19) and wealth (2 Kings 20:13).

WHAT CAUSES PRIDE?

These things invite, bring, or produce pride:

• Knowledge: 1 Corinthians 8:1 "Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies."
• Natural attributes, for example beauty, intelligence, talent: Ezekiel 28:17 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you."
• Prosperity or successful accomplishment: 1 Timothy 6:17 "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy."
• Spiritual power and the supernatural miracles of God working in your life: When God's power flows through you ministering to others, or God gives mighty answers to your prayers — remember God is the Great One — not you.
• Inexperience: 1 Timothy 3:6 "not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil." Pride is associated with being a novice.

HOW CAN PRIDE BE EXPRESSED IN OUR LIVES?

Pride can be expressed in the realm of self:

• Self-admiration – "Look at me!"
• Self-aggrandizement – "Don't I look good/great?"
• Self-attention – "Listen to me!"
• Self-justification – "I am right!"
• Self-sufficiency – "I can do it!"
• Self-aspiration – "Let me win!"
• Self-seeking – "Give me mine!"
• Self-exaltation – "Praise me!"

Pride can be expressed in the realm of natural ability:

• My abilities, talents, assets
• My looks, my importance
• My understanding and viewpoint
• My way is the right way
• My abilities, my leadership
• A competitive spirit; one-up-manship
• My rights; what I deserve
• My credit, glory, commendation

Pride can be expressed in the realm of the Spirit:

• My spiritual gifts, my ministry
• My position in the church
• My Biblical and theological knowledge
• My doctrine and polity is right
• My programs will make it happen
• My statistics will prove us successful

When our hearts are filled with pride we:

• Neglect the Bible and times of prayer: You may think you do not read the Bible more because you are so busy that you do not have enough time but the root problem is pride: you think you can make it without God's Word. Those who neglect prayer have the same root problem — they think they can make it without God. Pride and prayer are inverse. A proud person does not pray much, and a praying person is not bothered much with pride. Psalm 10:3-4 "For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the Lord. These wicked people are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead."
• Are unable to admit that we are wrong: A proud person blames someone else — the fault is never theirs! And, they refuse to admit anything they are doing could be a failure.
• Do not submit to authority: 1 Peter 5:5 "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" A proud person thinks they should do things their way, instead of going by what anyone else has to say.
• Have a know-it-all attitude: 1 Corinthians 8:2 "And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know."
• Criticize others: Anyone who criticizes another person considers they are superior to that person. They also think they are qualified to judge another human being (which they are not).
• Think you are better than others: You are not better than anyone — just different in some ways. 1 Corinthians 4:7 "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?"
• Are overly busy: Being overly busy can be a manifestation of being proud. Some people think they have to do everything themselves because no one else could do it as well. This is an attitude of pride. Continual busyness, even in the ministry, is usually a sign of pride.
• Cause contentions: Proverbs 13:10 "Pride leads to arguments; those who take advice are wise."

WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH OUR PRIDE?

• Understand the sinfulness of pride: Many tend to treat the sin of pride like a neighbourhood dog. We know it can bite us, but for some reason we don't think it will bite us. The truth is, it will devour us. Until we understand the danger of this sin, and begin taking it seriously, we will never overcome it.
• Repent: 1 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."
• Learn to be humble: 1 Peter 5:6 "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honour you." Humility recognizes and accepts our rightful place of subordination to and dependency upon God. Humility boasts in the Lord and not in self and its achievements. Jeremiah 9:23-24 "let him who boasts boast that he knows Me" 1 Corinthians 1:31 "let him who boasts, boast in the Lord" 2 Corinthians 10:17 "he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord"

When we walk in humility we will be able to:

• Defuse arguments: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1).
• Handle unfair treatment peacefully: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31-32).
• Not put on a "false front": The better you know God, the less you have to prove.
• Eat "humble pie" without being crushed: When you are humble, you can respond to and learn from criticism without defensiveness—whether it is deserved or not deserved. Likewise, you can be aware of your failures without being emotionally devastated.
• Forgive: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24).
• Have the right attitude: You can talk courteously and lovingly, regardless of the situation—even if you need to be firm or take strong actions. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).

Look at the examples of humble people. Jacob said, "I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant." (Genesis 32:10). David understood who he really was, and who God is (Read Psalm 51). Paul understood his need for that "thorn in the flesh" that God sent to keep him humble. And he could admit, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost" (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus is our greatest example. "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:3-8)

PUT AWAY THE WRONG USE OF AUTHORITY

1 Peter 5:3 "Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example."

Luke 22:25-28 "And he said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. You are those who have stayed with me in my trials.'"

Mark 10:42-45 "And Jesus called them to him and said to them, 'You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'"

Mark 9:33-37 "And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, 'What were you discussing on the way?' But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, 'If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.' And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 'Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.'"

WHAT SHOULD A LEADER DO?

• Be gentle towards those who he leads: 2 Timothy 2:24 "The Lord's servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people." 1 Thessalonians 2:7 "As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but we were as gentle among you as a mother feeding and caring for her own children."
• Serve those who he leads: Matthew 20:26-28 "But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."

SUMMARY

As a leader we need to constantly look into our heart to see whether we have any attitudes that we need to put off. Some of the attitudes that we are told to "put off" are:

• Quarrelling
• Anger
• Pleasing man
• Greed and materialism
• Pride
• Wrong use of authority

When we recognize attitudes in our hearts that are not godly we need to make a conscious decision to change.