Who hired Judas?

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:

1. The area of gifting is the area of temptation,
2. 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.

I could discuss many different thoughts going through my head after reading this word, but here’s an initial one:  If what Lance says is true, and I think it is, what does this say about the ‘judgmental church’ that so often attacks the ones who struggle in the area of their giftedness?  How many lives have been stymied or ruined because of the condemnation and criticism leveled by the church as they wrestle through temptation (or falling to temptation) on the journey to receiving the grace to overcome.  Have we been the one judging….or the one restoring?

I believe this is a word aptly spoken and we really do need to ‘pause and calmly think about that‘!!

I’d also encourage you to click on one of the links to Lance’s blog….his words always stretch and challenge me!