Gayle Erwin - Jesus Style Archives - Churches that hurt people need a fresh letter from Paul https://churchesthathurt.com/category/gayle-erwin-jesus-style/ Let's talk... Mon, 22 Jul 2024 03:20:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 Bible Concepts https://churchesthathurt.com/2024/07/21/bible-concepts/ https://churchesthathurt.com/2024/07/21/bible-concepts/#respond Sun, 21 Jul 2024 03:01:51 +0000 https://churchesthathurt.com/?p=28 If you look at social media, you’ll see a lot of posts about Narcissists. That word can hold a lot of feelings, a lot of avoidance, a lot of anger and tactics to get around them. The actual definition of narcissism is selfishness, involving a sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy, and a need for admiration,...

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]]> If you look at social media, you’ll see a lot of posts about Narcissists. That word can hold a lot of feelings, a lot of avoidance, a lot of anger and tactics to get around them. The actual definition of narcissism is selfishness, involving a sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy, and a need for admiration, as characterizing a personality type. Lying also seems to be a large focus of this personality disorder. Since this concept was defined in 1898 it’s a new(er) term. But we know from Ecclesiastes there is nothing new under the sun.

Another thing I am seeing on social media is some pastors building a platform about themselves or their ministry, not the Word. Even in verse-by-verse churches, you see this.

Is it all narcissism? I don’t think so, but I do think the Biblical concept of pride applies….

Proverbs 16: 5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Though they join [d]forces, none will go unpunished.

Proverbs 3:32 For the devious are repulsive to the LORD; But His private counsel is with the upright [those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are extremely disgusting to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

I think if Paul saw a church that not only allowed a person involved in ministry to spread lies but also participated in spreading them with leadership, there would be a letter. Oh, wait. Maybe this is already covered.

Ephesians 4 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give [g]place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary [h]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [i]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

“The moment a structure begins to promote itself, it has violated the nature of Christ and has drunk the poison of its death.”
― Gayle D. Erwin, The Jesus Style

Church Leadership – are you building your own kingdom or God’s Kingdom?

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