Who hired Judas to be the treasurer of the ministry? Jesus, of course. Now think, Jesus gave an opportunity for a greedy man to handle His money. Did He not know that Judas had a problem with money? Certainly. Which makes for TWO important discoveries:
- The area of gifting is the area of temptation,
- God will give you responsibility and opportunity in that area in spite of your weakness.
WHY?
Does God want to set you up to fail? Actually, He is setting you up to succeed. The only way you can break through a weakness is to face it and overcome it. To break off the iniquity – you must face off with the iniquity.
God doesn't tempt us – yet the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Why? Meeting the tempter seems to be a right of passage into promotion. Did the Father want the Son to fail? Obviously not. He wanted the Son to be tested and qualified to drive the enemy out.
Maybe you and I are tempted most in the area we are called to drive out the devil? Look at the thing you struggle with now and consider if it isn't a spirit somehow associated with the territory you are called to occupy. Judas had a gift for money and therefore had to overcome a spirit of greed. A strong leader may struggle with control, a great persuader with manipulation or seduction.
Temptation reveals weaknesses and “Owning” a weakness actually makes you more authentic. It makes you more generous with others who fall and the humility you experience creates a vacuum in you that draws in greater grace! God gives grace to the humble. Grace is the word that describes a current of divine energizing power from Heaven. As you draw near to Him, He gives you grace and this creates energy to overcome. Heaven creates a table for you right “in the presence of your enemies.” You “occupy till He comes.” You don't run from the pressure. Heaven wants you to win. You'll never meet a temptation you do not have ability to resist. (read 1 Cor 10:13)
And you'll never be held back from promotion because you might be tempted. In fact your weakness and your strength are so intertwined that you will surely meet temptation as you advance. Don't let it stop you.
never thought of it that way our gifting is our greatest temptation
An eye-opening truth. Awesome!
Brother Lance, thanks for this encouraging teaching about Who Hired Judas. The point about facing your temptation head on and understanding about our giftings was helpful.
Who hired Judas? https://t.co/BKnngAVd14 via @creativejuiz
Good article, I have learned this through my life. Going deeper, God gives you more of the thing that is your weakness, e.g., addictions, codependencies,etc., so you will get sick and tired of being sick and tired. More of what I’d like to learn: for me, for more years than I want to confess (ok, like 18+), on the job, I’ve been more gifted than all those around me getting promoted left and right. Recognized by most except my direct top mgmt. The dream I always had (or I thought) is deader than dead, and has been it seems forever. I really don’t care anymore, it’s obviously not what I thought. Lance, everytime I catch you on tv I get so excited, so i know you’ve taught about these situations before, but I don’t see you enough. I’d love to get more by email. Honestly, it really doesn’t matter anymore, God will do what He will in His timing. I’ve tried everything through the years to hurry it it, nothing worked of course. Anyway, that’s what I’d like to read more of.
It is comforting to know that we have what it takes to overcome the tempation. Can we also assume that people who are struggling with controling spirit might have a leadership gifting?
Thank you for this treasure. God hides jewels in dark places.
Who hired Judas? https://t.co/YT1IxXpWRC via @creativejuiz
As usual, you tend to “pop” my eyes open while at the same time causing me to inhale slowly with a smile on my face–the Lord knew all along 🙂
That was so, HOLY COW, WOW! So good! That is so true! I know all that to be true but you gave me crystal clarity! Thank you!
Absolutely agree with you Rebecca!! So goo.