“Eventually, you will lose your game of Russian Roulette.”

It seems that nearly every week another prominent individual is fired from their position because of something done in secret.  Although their positions, stories, and circumstances vary, they share three very important similarities.

  1. They did something in private hoping it would never be discovered.
  2. They did something that was critically in conflict with what was acceptable in their position.
  3. Their actions brought dishonor upon themselves, and the organizations they represented.

If you are in any kind of leadership position, these moments should be a wakeup call.

 

Actions have consequences.

Any shady action you do in secret has serious potential to destroy you – and your ability to lead.  It can also discourage those who follow you and give a distasteful impression of the organization you represent.

 

It’s only a matter of time before those actions will take you down.  Maybe soon… maybe next year… maybe a little later in life.  Eventually, you will lose your game of Russian Roulette.

 

Time to Deal

If you have been hiding any kind of “bad behavior”, don’t look for ways to bury it even further.  Deal with it right now.  It starts with repentance.  Drop to your knees and ask God for forgiveness.  Turn your back on that behavior.  But you are not finished yet.  You likely need more help maintaining victory over this area.  Find a trusted person who can help you stay out of that pit.  (Someone who is emotionally and spiritually strong.)  Find a church group and/or recovery group that can help you discover the source of the behavior, and give you a plan for lasting success.

 

No one is perfect

None of us are perfect – no one.  But that is not an excuse or explanation.  As a leader, you are a prime target.  The enemy knows that people are closely watching your words and actions.  They learn from your leadership – and are hurt by your indiscretion.  But don’t forget, they can also learn from your willingness to do what is right after a fall.

 

Pointing the Finger

It is easy to condemn the ones who fail – especially the ones who hold different opinions or worldviews than you.  Remember, Jesus showed immense grace to those who were far from Him.  And to those who claimed to be blameless, He said, “let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”

 

We often see God at work in people’s hearts when they fall the hardest. Rather than point, gawk, or cheer… pray they find hope, healing, forgiveness, & freedom in Jesus.

 

Hope

Before you go, take one more minute and read through a handful of verses.  Ask God to speak clearly to you about your own life and leadership.

 

Philippians 3:17  Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. (NLT)

 

Matthew 3:8  Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. (NLT)

 

James 3:1  Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. (NLT)

 

2 Corinthians 6:3  We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. (NLT)

 

Romans 14:21  It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. (NLT)

 

2 Corinthians 7:8–10  8 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. (NLT)

 

 

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