TEMPTATIONS PASTORS FACE
Everyone who is alive faces temptations. We never outgrow them. Sometimes church leaders think they have advanced beyond being tempted, but the truth is that we face all the temptations others face, then some more in addition. Here are some of the more common temptations pastors face:
NEGLECTING OUR SPIRITUAL OR PHYSICAL HEALTH. Leaders are busy people who often think they have more to do than time to do it. What results is that we neglect our own spiritual or physical life. Our personal prayer, devotions, family time, exercise, rest, etc. suffer. God expects us to be good stewards of our bodies and to continue to grow spiritually. These are top priorities to Him. He won’t give us so much to do that we have to neglect them to get it all done. The fault is ours for having poor priorities and not saying “no” to less important things.
WORKING TOO HARD. In order to do everything we feel we need to do or our people think we should do, we work too hard and neglect our spiritual, physical and family health. We are busy doing good things, but when there are too many of them they become bad things. Balance is needed, and that can be hard to achieve. If the pastor doesn’t learn to pace himself in the good work of ministry—to take his time, stay refreshed, enjoy God’s good gifts, and learn to relax—almost invariably, a crash awaits him. Can a pastor be tempted to work too much, then? Absolutely.
WORKING TOO LITTLE. This is the opposite of working too hard (Proverbs 10:4; 12:24). We can make our own schedule and sometimes it’s tempting to sleep too late, eat too much, relax too long or put off ministry projects that need to be done right away. Discouragement can cause this. So can laziness. Again, balance is needed and it can be hard to find and maintain.
TOO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK. The Bible describes this temptation as fearing man or pleasing people (Proverbs 29:25). Pastors are sensitive people who care about people, and it’s natural to want people to like us and affirm us, but when we need or depend on their approval we are not doing the work as God wants it done. We must do it for Him, not for ourselves or anyone else.
NOT CONCERNED ENOUGH ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK. This is the opposite of the previous temptation. This is a temptation to feel we are always right and God is behind so we say or do whatever we want no matter how the people respond. The real danger here is pride, one of the biggest dangers pastors and leaders face. Instead, we must shepherd in grace and love (Matthew 20:25-28). We are to be shepherds who love the sheep, care for them and feed them. We serve the sheep; the sheep don’t serve us. We must have balance between being too concerned about what others think or not concerned at all.
The first step in victory over these or other temptations is to recognize it is indeed a temptation to disobey and sin. As soon as we recognize we are being drawn in a wrong direction we must replace those thoughts with the truth of Scripture. Ask God to bring to mind a Bible passage that speaks light to the lie concerning the sin. That’s what Jesus did when tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He respond by quoting Scripture. Then pray for God’s help and the Holy Spirit’s power within so you can stand against the sin. Thank God for rescuing you from the temptation and move on in His power and love.
1 Peter 5:2-4 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Which of these temptations do you face? How have you had victory over them?
Are there any you still struggle with? Ask God for His help to overcome them.
What other temptations do you face as a church leader? (Please share them with me so I can learn from them as well. jerry@schmoyer.net )
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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