Yes, I know, the title for this blog post looks a little strange, but it is my prayer and desire that you’ll take today’s blog post as a warning when it comes to getting involved in personal ministry.
As Christian women’s ministry leader, Leslie Ludy, once said:
“You need to understand that as you step out in any kind of ministry the enemy will hit you hard. So don’t make the mistake of going into ministry preparing for a picnic instead of for a battlefield.”
-Leslie Ludy-
And I believe this statement describes one of the key reasons why personal ministries self-destruct after some time.
It’s because so many sadly approach ministry like a picnic party.
But how does this play out practically?
Well, for this blog post, let’s explore how to treat your ministry like a picnic–and thus destroy it in the process!
Let’s dive in!
Tip #1: Place Your Opinions Above The Bible
One of the important things to do in order to destroy your own ministry is to base EVERYTHING in your ministry off of what YOU think.
Don’t use any Scripture.
Don’t use any Bible.
JUST USE YOUR OPINIONS.
THE BIBLE TRUTH ABOUT THIS TIP
In Exodus 20:25, we see a major contrast to this:
And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
(Exodus 20:25, emphasis added)
That word “polluted” in the original Hebrew interestingly means “to wound fatally, to be slain.”
The personal Christian ministries we have our like “altars” to the Lord. But, if we try to incorporate the tools of our own opinions and ways into “hewing out” our ministries, we actually end up polluting them–or slaying them as the Hebrew word puts it.
Tip #2: Add Some (Or A LOT) of Worldliness
You wanna know what’s another essential way to destroy your ministry?
Incorporate worldliness into it!
Whether it’s doing a superhero movie marathon for your church’s youth ministry, or whatever, as long as worldliness reigns supreme, it’s guaranteed your ministry WILL go downhill!
THE BIBLE TRUTH ABOUT THIS TIP
In 1 John 2:15, we’re given a clear and direct contrast to this second tip to easily destroying one’s ministry:
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
(1 John 2:15)
Worldliness seriously has no place in a ministry that is to become successful in the eyes of Heaven.
Tip #3: Complain As Much As Possible
Complaining is ESSENTIAL to mix into a ministry that is bound for destruction in the end!
So, if you haven’t already, learn to complain as much as possible.
I can 100% guarantee that such an action will RUIN your ministry!
THE BIBLE TRUTH ABOUT THIS TIP
Psalm 100:2 directly contradicts this third tip.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
(Psalm 100:2)
When we serve God in ministry, the Bible exhorts us to serve Him with gladness, NOT with complaining.
Tip #4: DO NOT PRAY
As a final piece of advice to destroy your personal ministry, whatever you do, NEVER PRAY.
Instead, “follow your heart” as Disney would say.
Follow after what YOU think is best and do everything according to YOUR opinions (see Tip #1).
DO NOT take time and ask God for guidance.
DO NOT pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you to HIS will for your ministry.
Instead, keep the ministry centered around you, your goals, your ideas, and your desires!
Again, doing so will bring about effective destruction for your ministry.
THE BIBLE TRUTH ABOUT THIS TIP
The Bible gives a convicting warning to those who choose to seriously follow this fourth and final tip in their ministry work.
In Isaiah 30:1, we read:
“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;
(Isaiah 30:1)
Jesus Himself sought after God’s will for Him, even in the Garden of Gethsemane when He was facing the bitter cup of sin’s deadly consequences.
And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
(Matthew 26:39)
A Prayer & A Promise
Dear reader, have you been operating your personal ministry based on these four things? Have you been keeping self at the center of your ministry work instead of Christ?
Dear reader, do you desire the Lord to revive your dying ministry in accordance with His will, guidance, and praise?
If so, then just pray the following prayer below:
I wanna conclude this blog post with a Bible promise you may claim along with the the above prayer:
O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years…
(Habakkkuk 3:2)
Amen! Maranatha!