Throughout history and humanity, certain individuals have been chosen by God to lead His flock and carry out His work, referred to as leaders. These leaders, whether prophets, pastors, priests, evangelists, or other spiritual guides, are entrusted with the divine duty of shepherding their congregation and people toward the light of God’s love.

However, despite their divine calling, they remain human, with human nature; hence, they are fallible, prone to mistakes and sin, and susceptible to the temptations of the world. Like all of us, these chosen ones are not immune to the struggles of human nature.

Introduction

They face the same trials and tribulations, the same doubts and fears that plague every soul on this earth. They can stumble and fall, succumbing to the lure of sin and straying from the path of righteousness.

Therefore, this blog post will take a look at how the divine calling and human nature of some Biblical heroes clash against each other and how this same thing keeps recurring in every generation and to everyone who is called by God to lead His people.

The temptation of Jesus

Drawing a parallel to the life of Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of having humanity and divinity in one person, we see that even He faced temptation during His time on earth. In the wilderness, He grappled with the same temptations that every human faces—lust, greed, pride—even though He is God.

But in the end, His divine nature overcame His human nature, and He emerged victorious, strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit. This shows that nobody is above temptation, and the fact that they are called pastors doesn’t mean they would not be tempted like every other person.

Therefore, the leaders should imitate Jesus; they should strive to overcome the flesh by the spirit. They should follow in His footsteps and remember that with faith and divine guidance, they too can overcome.

The Clash of the Two Natures in Apostle Paul

While human effort is important, it is not sufficient. Leaders, despite their anointed status, require the continual assistance of the Holy Spirit to walk through the treacherous world of temptation and sin.

It is only through God’s grace and mercy that they can find the strength to resist temptation, to repent and seek forgiveness when they falter, and to strive toward holiness in their daily lives.

Paul, a prominent apostle in the early days of Christianity, is often revered for his unwavering faith, missionary zeal, and profound theological insights, having written thirteen epistles in the Bible.

But despite his great accomplishments and contributions to the spread of the Gospel, one aspect of his life stands out as a reminder of his human nature, his struggle with sin and his candid admission that he often found himself doing the very things he despised.

Paul’s mind

In his letter to the Romans, Paul expressed his mind about his will to do what is good in the sight of the lord and his opposing human nature that usually prevails. He said that he did not do the good he wanted, but the evil he did not want is what he kept on doing (Romans 7:19, ESV). These words of his are a universal experience to all humans—a recognition that, despite our best intentions, we are often plagued by our weaknesses and failings.

Paul’s confession serves as a powerful reminder that even the most devout believers are fallible and do experience the struggles of the flesh. Despite his fervent devotion to God and his tireless efforts to live a righteous life, he was plagued by the reality of his sinful nature. This admission of weakness is not a sign of moral failure but rather a testament to the complexity of the human condition and the ongoing battle between the spirit and the flesh.

Throughout his letters, Paul discussed the law of God and the law of sin that wages war within him (Romans 7:21-25). He acknowledges the inner conflict that rages between his renewed spirit, which delights in God’s law, and his flesh, which is enslaved to sin (Romans 7:22-23).

The place of church and family between the leaders and their human nature

The story does not end with the leaders alone. The members of the Church, the congregation, and the broader Christian community all play vital roles in the spiritual journey of their leaders.

Whether a minister of God will be successful can be determined by those around him and the members of his church. Therefore, the church should not stand as like temptation for the minister, like the Israelites did to Moses upon his return from Mount Sina, i Exodus 32 5–20, 25–29.

Upon Moses’ return from Mount Sinai, where he had received the tablets of the Law from God Himself, he descended to find the Israelites engaged in a scene of revelry and idolatry. The sight before him shook the very core of his being, for he had left them in the care of his brother Aaron,

Analysis

He trusted that they would remain faithful to the covenant they had made with the Almighty. This led to him breaking the precious tablets he had received 9m the mountain. He had to go through another forty days of fasting to receive the laws again.

As it was written in the Bible, the Israelites were always grumbling nd disobedient and had no faith in Moses’ leadership and had a strained relationship with God. Similarly, when church members succumb to temptation, harbour resentment, or sow discord within the community, they create obstacles for their minister and hinder the work of God in their midst.

This is one of the major occurrences in today‘s church, where the members will dress indecently to seduce the ministers of God, and if they succeed, the human nature of the minister prevails over his divine spirit. This will not help their ministry to grow; it will only cause major setbacks to the ministry. In that situation, the member has certainly allowed herself to be used by the devil as his weapon against the progress of the work of God.

The success of the leaders

So the success of a leader depends heavily on his family, the church and those around him. Their support, prayers, and encouragement uplift those who are called to lead, providing them with the sustenance and fortitude they need to fulfil their divine mandate.

Conversely, their lack of support, criticism, and judgment can weigh heavily on the shoulders of those entrusted with the mantle of leadership, hindering their effectiveness and sowing seeds of discord within the body of believers.

The solidarity and unity

In times of trial, the solidarity and unity of the Church are paramount. The faithful should rally around their leaders, offering love and understanding instead of being their stumbling block and judging them. It is not for the church to judge the ministers of God; at the right, they will be judged by God for all their works.

The church’s way of helping should be to create an environment where grace and forgiveness can flourish, not where division and discord reign, when gossip and slander replace prayer and support, the entire church suffers, and the work of God is hindered. Here are some ways the family, church and the close people around the leaders can assist:

Prayer Support

The power of prayer cannot be overstated. The church community can lift its leaders in prayer, asking for God’s strength, the holy spirit, guidance, and protection against temptation in their daily lives. Knowing that they are upheld by the prayers of their congregation can provide leaders with a sense of spiritual fortitude and assurance.

Prayerful family

Having a family that supports the leaders in all ways can help them not to stumble or fall to the temptations of the devil. They can support with prayer, spiritual guidance, and financial assistance. Conversely, when the minister’s focus is solely on the ministry and the family’s focus is only on their pursuits, it can create a gap that the devil may exploit. Furthermore, it becomes easier to fall prey to the tricks and temptations of the world.

Accountability Partners

Establishing accountability relationships within the church can offer leaders a safe space to confess struggles, seek counsel, and receive encouragement. By partnering with trusted individuals committed to their spiritual growth, leaders can find support in their journey toward holiness.

Spiritual Mentorship

Providing leaders with access to experienced mentors or spiritual directors can offer invaluable guidance and wisdom. These mentors can provide personalised support, helping leaders identify areas of weakness, develop healthy spiritual disciplines, and navigate the complexities of pastoral ministry.

Regular Spiritual Check-ins

Establishing regular opportunities for leaders to engage in spiritual check-ins can provide accountability and support. Whether through one-on-one meetings with mentors or group discussions with peers, these check-ins offer leaders a chance to reflect on their spiritual well-being, share struggles, and receive encouragement from fellow believers.

Encouraging Rest and Self-Care: Recognising the importance of rest and self-care is essential for preventing burnout and fostering spiritual resilience. The church can encourage leaders to prioritise their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, providing resources and support to help them maintain healthy boundaries and rhythms of rest.

Human Nature

The struggle against human nature should not be a source of despair but should become a catalyst for a deeper relationship and reliance on the grace of God. Paul’s acknowledgement of his frailty serves to humanise him, making his message of salvation through Christ all the more compelling.

It is in his weakness that the power of God is made manifest, as Paul testifies, “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10, ESV). His struggles become a testament to the transformative power of grace, as he learns to surrender his strength and rely wholly on the mercy of God.

This teaches us that we are not alone in our battles against sin and temptation. Like Paul, we too can find strength in our weakness, comfort in our trials, and hope in the promise of redemption through Christ.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the journey of a chosen leader is one of humility, vulnerability, and dependence on the divine. It is a testament to the transformative power of God’s love and the resilience of the human spirit. As we walk alongside our leaders, let us remember that they shared our humanity, struggles, and need for the guiding light of the Holy Spirit. Instead of being instruments of destruction for the devil, let us be sources of courage and work together with them for the glory of God.

Together, with faith and perseverance, we can overcome the obstacles that lie in our path and continue to build the kingdom of God here on earth. You can read more related posts on our Bible teaching page of the site.