#81 WHEN SPIRITUALITY IS ONLY A MASK 9-3-26
Not everyone who looks spiritual is walking with God. Jude warned the church that certain people would quietly creep in among believers, appearing to be religious while secretly being driven by ungodly desires. They could speak the language, occupy the position, and impress the crowd, but beneath the appearance was pride, greed, sensuality, and rebellion against God’s authority (Jude 4).
TRUE LEADERS SERVE
A genuine servant of Christ does not use people to build himself. He gives himself to build others. “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Spiritual leadership is not about being noticed, praised, or followed. It is about faithfully pointing people to Jesus Christ.
A man may have a platform and still lack a servant’s heart. He may have followers and still not be following Christ. He may know how to preach to people while refusing to submit himself to God. True spiritual authority begins with submission to the authority of God.
TRUE LEADERS BEAR FRUIT
Jude described false teachers with some striking pictures. They were “clouds without water,” “late autumn trees without fruit,” and wandering stars destined for darkness (Jude 12–13). What a picture. They promised much but produced little. They looked impressive from a distance, but there was no spiritual fruit to sustain the people who trusted them.
Jesus gave us the same principle: “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Character eventually reveals what appearance can conceal. Time has a way of exposing what a person really is.
TRUE LEADERS POINT TO CHRIST
The greatest test of a spiritual leader is not how much attention he draws to himself but how faithfully he directs attention toward Christ. John the Baptist understood this when he said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
False teachers make much of themselves. True servants make much of Jesus.
False teachers seek control. True servants seek to help people grow.
False teachers are motivated by what they can gain. True servants are willing to give.
False teachers may impress people for a season, but eventually their fruit tells the truth. God is not deceived by appearances, titles, personalities, popularity, or platforms. He sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
So do not be deceived by a religious appearance. Test what you hear by the Word of God. Watch the fruit. Examine the character. Listen for Christ to be exalted rather than man. The safest spiritual leader is not the one who makes you admire him most, but the one who continually leads you closer to Jesus.
BDD
