The Road to Derailment - Part 2

Several years ago I made an observation about the various televangelist that I found so appalling in their greed and manipulation. Often when questioned about their motives and methods, they responded by saying that they were only accounatable to God.

My observation was this: When a man says he's only accountable to God, its just a matter of time before he falls.

I have seen this pattern repeat itself over and over.

Certainly as leaders, we are accountable to God. But we are also accountable to each other. The Apostle Paul was clear about this in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12:

"You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."

We are accountable to God. But He also brings other people into our lives to help administer that accountability. Unfortunately, leaders on the path to derailment allow arrogance to take root and refuse to hear the wise counsel of those who are trying to tell them about their blindspots.

As leaders we need to hear the voice of those who love and care enough about us and warn us. We need to keep listening even when its painful.

Dietrich Bonoeffer said that "When a man stop's listening to his brother, its simply a matter of time before he stops listening to God."

Are you still listening to your brother?

Are you still listening to God?