Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

We should all ask ourselves who am I really? Judas’ kiss was an outright display of a severe lack of authenticity. How did Judas get to a place of betraying Jesus? How did he allow himself to be so deceived and hard hearted?

✓ The Bible says little foxes spoil the vine.

Foxes are little, cunning, cute and fast, much like temptation. Temptation seeks to birth sin and sin leads to destruction. If you do not deal with temptation it will lead you down a dark path and will seek to destroy you, your family, your church and your leadership.

If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Matthew 5:19

✓ King David, a man after God’s own heart, was imperfect in many ways. He was used by God mightily, but he also faced grave consequences for his sin.

A lesson to be learned from David is his authenticity. He allowed humility, brokenness and the discipline of the Lord to bring him to repentance. He received rebuking and correction from godly oversight.

We hear in David’s writings and worship His deep desire to stay in pure relationship with God. His cry “create in me a pure heart” should be a prayer of every Christian. Every believer needs the help of the Holy Spirit, godly friends and accountability to remain authentic in their relationship with the Lord.

✓ Set strong boundaries, be accountable, confess and repent before the enemy robs the fruit of your life.

Judas’ betrayal did not happen overnight. It started in his thoughts and ended in his actions. The time between a thought and an action is a battle between right and wrong. Judas did not resist and fight hard enough to dismantle the plans of the enemy for his life. He allowed sinful secrets to develop and foxes to overtake his vines.

✓ Do not believe you are able to handle a little compromise. No one is exempt from falling prey to the devil’s schemes.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

It is heartbreaking to see Christian leaders fall prey to the enticement and power of sin. It not only affects their lives, but their families, friendships, churches and the lives of many others.

The Holy Spirit is faithful to convict you when you are getting ready to step over a boundary. You must have boundaries firmly established in your life, i.e., relational boundaries, what you allow in your eyes, ears, and mouth, the places you visit, people you commune with, and what you allow to influence you.

Listen and obey the conviction of the Holy Spirit and run from temptation, like Joseph in the Old Testament ran from the seduction of Potiphar’s wife. Joseph escaped the grip of compromise and darkness and fled into the light.

✓ Hidden sin will always be exposed in the life of a believer, because God disciplines those He loves.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19

Much too often we see leaders being exposed for godless acts. For sure the enemy loves to uncover the failures of Christians, especially those of Christian leaders, but at the same time it is God who allows it. The Lord’s intentions are pure and are always directed to bring redemption.

Leaders are concerned about holiness and understand they have others depending upon them to be authentic. They are responsible to God to lead well and know their decisions and actions affect others. Just like dads and moms know their actions influence their children.

✓ When facing overwhelming temptation leaders run to the light.

Leaders do not allow a stronghold of sin to develop. They deal with the issue even though it may be difficult and humiliating. This is what allows the mercy and redemptive work of the Lord to bring freedom and victory.

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