Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. And Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people. So the people believed and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped (Exodus 4:29-31).

After receiving God's orders at the Burning Bush and the divine plan for the Exodus, Moses had to consult the people whom he would lead out of slavery. He hesitated because he was not fluent of speech (Ex. 4:10). Moses felt inadequate for the task of speaking to his people. The prophet explained his apprehension to God. The Almighty could have thundered, "Just obey me!" but he didn't. God understood his fears and allowed Moses's brother Aaron to address the Jewish nation for him. Aaron agreed to put into words what God wanted to tell His people, making up for qualities which Moses lacked.

What is Combining?
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In almost every endeavor, the people who succeed have the cooperation and enthusiasm of others. Working together, people can accomplish much more than they can in solo endeavors. Centuries before the modern gurus of business wrote the latest bestsellers on teamwork, the Scriptures had much to say on the issue. While the term, "teamwork," isn't used in Scripture, its principles can be found throughout them. One of the first instances occurred just after the Exodus as the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness of the Sinai. Moses was becoming worn out leading his people. Yet he couldn't see a solution to his problem:

And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people and the people stood before Moses from morning to evening. So when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, What is this thing you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit ... from morning to evening? And Moses said to his father-in-law, Because the people come to me to inquire of God. So Moses' father-in-law said to him, The thing you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourself out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it yourself. ... Select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, that they will bear the burden with you (Ex. 18:13-22).

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, explained to him the principle of delegated authority. Moses immediately grasped the significance of Jethro's suggestion and appointed God-fearing men to oversee the judging of all legal matters except for the most difficult cases. Jethro understood that without teamwork the result is invariably leader "burn-out." Thriving works of God need teamwork to accomplish the tasks at hand and to avoid creating discontent among the people.

To explore the biblical principle of teamwork, I think it's helpful to view it from the vantage point of both the Team Leader and Team Members. We'll finish this chapter with a discussion of problem areas.

I. Team Leaders

Leaders Are Servants
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Jesus clearly outlined the proper pattern for biblically-based leadership. It's commonly called "servant leadership":

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you. But whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:25-28).

A servant leader considers himself a servant of whoever he's been given the responsibility to lead. Servant leaders see their role as primarily one in which the major task they do is helping people. The help may be to provide a product or service, to improve the quality of a person's life, or to lead others into deeper spiritual growth. I've found that unless a secular or religious leader is a servant leader, they will invariably be dragged down by the negative influence of money, power, or fame.

One might consider it ridiculous to advocate that even secular leaders should be servant leaders. Let's consider the position of an atheist. Doesn't it make sense for the atheist to be motivated by self-interest--to acquire more money, power, or fame? This includes "tempered self-interest" as advocated by some secular philosophers such as Ayn Rand. These have argued that true self-interest will motivate one to consider that getting the most for oneself in the short-term may negatively affect the long-term outcome. So the enlightened self-interested atheist might not go after the best financial deal, if other considerations (relationship, future business deals, etc.) seem more compelling.

Most people find a philosophy of self-interest emotionally bankrupt. Though it may work in regard to achieving money, power, and fame, it will never bring relational harmony and happiness because it places the acquisition of things above relationships with people. God has put within each person the innate need for fellowship--first with Himself and also with other people. Think of the lonely billionaire. Can his money bring him happiness if he has no one to share it with?

Four Roles of a Leader
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For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness--God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Messiah. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children (1 Thess. 2:3-7).

Here, Paul is speaking to the believers in Thessalonica, explaining to them why he had the authority to correct them. I'm using this passage as a grid to understand the biblical model for the role of leaders.

1. Exhortation
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For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit (v.3).

Exhortation means to strongly urge, advise, or warn another person about something. We rarely use this word in modern English, because it's "out of style" to strongly urge anyone. Ours is an age in which we are supposed to let each person determine what is right for them, yet I believe this is wrong. A leader must not fear making a strong statement to help someone. It goes with the territory and is a responsibility we dare not avoid.

Yet exhorting is not about controlling others or making decisions for them. Our goal should be to exhort those under our charge to look to God, rather than to us or to other people for the answers to their problems. Leaders must be very careful not to create a sense in people that without them there will be no resolution of their situation. In helping to resolve a problem, a leader is often the one to supply a material, spiritual, or relational need. Yet there's a danger in this. Some begin to look to you instead of to God. True helpers always run the risk of fostering dependence upon them, rather than God, as the supplier. Remember, in problem solving, you have the role of facilitator.

One test that might help here is to ask a question: Is what you are doing leading people into deeper trust and dependency upon God or are they just following your advice or going along with "the program"?

2. Edification
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For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction ... (2 Corin. 10:8).

An edifice is a dwelling. So "edification" literally means "the building of a house." Here it applies to building up of a person's spirit and soul. As we discussed under exhortation, this is drawing people back to God and away from an unhealthy dependence upon people.

3. Teach and Correct
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And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

This passage explains two aspects of a leader's role--teaching and correcting. Of the two, most find teaching to be both easier and much more pleasant than correcting others. Though I want to stress that true biblical teaching is always more than presenting material. It is the imparting of spiritual truth under the unction and power of the Holy Spirit.

A leader has the responsibility and authority to help resolve conflicts. This is exactly the situation in which Jethro suggested to Moses that he needed more leaders to judge or resolve people's disputes. Unfortunately conflict will always be with us. Leaders must be prepared and equipped to handle conflict with gentleness, patience, and humility. Let's not forget that leaders must always correct in love, showing mercy.

4. Comfort
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But he who prophesies speaks edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Corin. 14:3).

Comfort is generally pictured as one person easing another's pain, grief, or sorrow. Yet spiritual comfort is much more in line with the literal meaning of comfort--"to make strong." When a leader spiritually comforts someone, whether through words or deeds, their goal must be to make them strong in the Lord or as the Scripture puts it, "to present each person mature in Messiah."

Reproduction: the Mark of a True Leader
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As I've mentioned before, one of the tasks of a leader is to equip others (by delegation and training) to do the actual work involved. This is most effectively done by a leader reproducing in others the particular gifting that they themselves have received.

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2).

In this passage, Paul, the great Apostle, gives Timothy, a young man he personally trained to be a leader, advice on how to build up the body of believers by reproducing more teachers. I'm sure that Paul instructed Timothy along the same lines as he had another young leader, Titus:

... Set in order the things that are lacking and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you (Titus 1:5).

Paul first urged Timothy to train faithful men. What did the training procedure look like? Probably as a small group of men, perhaps as many as eight, meeting together in someone's home. It's evening and all are sitting on a mat on the floor, eagerly listening as a leader speaks on how to run the affairs of God on earth. After a few months of training, each of these newly trained leaders now begins their own group of eight to repeat the process. Soon the city is teeming with the newly reproduced leaders actively equipping the believers into greater spiritual maturity and service to God.

The intent of leadership reproduction is not to create a clone of the leader. In fact, the true leader discourages cloning when he sees it occurring. Nor is it to reproduce someone who expresses their leader-trainer's spiritual gifts in the same manner that the leader does. Leaders should expect those they've trained to take leadership positions to be very different from themselves. We should understand that to truly bless others, new leaders must be motivated by their own personally apprehended visions for the future. One cannot lead others without fresh manna from heaven, nor can there be much spiritual power released by copying the work of another's vision, regardless of how noble or grand it is.

Sometimes we incorrectly perceive someone to be a leader because we mistake competence--the accomplishment of tasks--for leadership. I believe there are important differences between a leader and a manager--one who oversees others in accomplishing something. Of course, leaders must have managerial skills or else they couldn't get much accomplished. Yet if a leader finds himself spending the majority of his time caught up in the day-to-day management, the original vision is seldom realized.

To make this distinction clearer, think of two types of leading: task-oriented and general leading. In task-oriented leading, the leader (who is really a manager) rallies people around a particular project or task. A true leader (one who has the gift of general leading) has a gift to unite people under a particular flow of the Spirit of God. The leader discerns what the Spirit is saying as to how best to take the people to a different spiritual place. Leaders have followers while those leading task-oriented projects don't continue in a special relationship with their team after the task has been accomplished. I see these two types of leading on a continuum of leadership maturity. Typically, one masters task-oriented leading first and then, if they're called to be a true leader, they move on to general leading.

Leaders impart truths that are clearly apprehended by their followers. Followers instinctively understand that their relationship to the leader is deeper than the temporary one created through the group process that teams use to accomplish things together.

The Leadership of Moses
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Moses faced the enormous task of leading a people who already had an established authority structure and a functioning community. He could not merely appear on the scene and announce, "I'm your new leader." No one would have followed him. For certain, the existing hierarchy would not have dissolved and transferred leadership to the returning Jew.

Yet Moses was God's man to lead His people, not because he possessed the skill or popularity for it but because he was chosen. What's true of Moses is true of every God-ordained leader, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit ..." (Jn. 15:16, NAS). Moses, through his spiritual development and personal relationship with God, aligned himself with God's purposes for the Jewish nation. That was Moses' mandate for leadership. As a result, he received the people's uncoerced support and the existing leadership's permission to take the reins and lead. Only then could the Exodus begin.

You might not be called upon to lead a nation but you still need the help of others to accomplish your goals. There aren't enough hours in a day to accomplish everything by yourself. You need people.

II. Team Members
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As we now turn to explore the role of the team member in God's plan for His body, we need to look again to the Scriptures. There we find much on the subject under what has been called by some as, "Body Ministry." We'll use the following passage as our grid:

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities (workings), but it is the same God who works in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. ... But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that body being many, are one body, so also is Messiah. For by one Spirit we were all immersed into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit (1 Corin. 12:4-7, 11-13).

A clear understanding of Body Ministry is crucial for the growth of God's kingdom. Look at three important principles of Body Ministry. These form the three core principles of what every team members should know:

1. Combining

This is the collective working together of God's people ("the Body") to do the things God wants done on this earth.

2. Specialization

Body Ministry works best when there is a high degree of specialization. God wants each member of His Body to find their intended purpose. I've found that once a person realizes their spiritual destiny and walks in it, deep spiritual fruit always follows. Here is another principle: those who walk in fruitful specialization are the ones who most consistently reproduce their giftings in other people.

3. Gifts/Ministries/Workings

We'll speak more about this in the next section. Without a doubt, there are specific gifts, ministries (groups of people working together), and workings (activities) that are in the heart of God to birth in us. Each of these must be combined with the others so that the Body might work together in harmony.

The Exponential Power of Unity
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God's intention in Body Ministry is for the sum of the parts to accomplish far more than the individual parts could by themselves. The whole point of Body Ministry is to birth the most effective ministry possible. Yet this effectiveness is not a result of having a superior structure. It comes from a God-given unity. Without a deep, spiritually-driven attitude that continually seeks after unity, it's not possible to work together for the "profit of all" (1 Corin. 12:7).

When we realize that God is in charge of Body Ministry, we can rest in Him, trusting that He will fit together the pieces of His Body in the best way possible. The Scripture reminds us that it's the Spirit of God that is in charge of the distribution of the gifts, ministries, and workings of God on this earth. We cannot will to have a gift or ministry that we have not been given by His Spirit. If one enters a ministry that is not theirs, that ministry can only be maintained by human power using manipulation and control.

Each of 1 Corinthians 12's three phrases (gifts, ministries, workings) take the same Greek adjective diairesis (from dia meaning "apart" and haireo meaning "to take") written as "diversity, different kinds, differences" in various Bible translations. I believe these translations miss the Holy Spirit's most important reason for the use of the word, diairesis--to convey the idea of unity and wholeness. Only through the process of diairesis--"taking apart" a whole--can we learn more about each individual "whole" which are gifts, ministries, and workings. God in His incredible wisdom has allowed us the liberty of this mental act of "taking apart" these wholes to understand them better. Yet I can't too strongly express this truth--all the gifts, ministries, and workings must never function apart from one another. Without this type of wholeness, which is only possible through Body Ministry, there can be no true unity in the Body of Messiah. Let's move on to explore the diversity that God has blessed us with:

Gifts
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Each gift is unique. Gifts (Greek, charisma) include both the nine gifts of the Spirit (prophecy, tongues, etc.--outlined in 1 Corin. 13) and the other gifts delineated in passages such as Rom. 12:3-8 (teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and mercy). Each of the gifts of the Spirit is completely unlike the other. If we focus on their differences, we'll miss the point of this passage. What unifies the gifts is not that they have things in common with each other but that it's the same Spirit--the Holy Spirit--who has given them to His Body and the same Spirit who empowers them. When one acknowledges that all gifts come from the Holy Spirit as He wills, then believers will exercise them in the humility necessary for unity.

Ministries

The word for "ministries" is the verb, diakoneo, translated as "to minister or serve." Here the emphasis is on the same Lord. In thinking about Body Ministry, diakoneo, has two possible meanings, depending on whether one is talking about a local ministry or a translocal ministry. In the local Body, ministry includes, but is not limited to, any individual or team of people whose intent is to comfort, exhort, or edify others in the congregation. Translocal ministries refer to a ministry to others outside of the local congregation.

Lordship is Paul's way of introducing the subject of authority. God recognized that there would be a large number of different (and valid) ministries. The recognition that they serve under the same Head--Messiah--enables them to work together as a larger Body. Spiritual anointing is maintained only when Messiah's headship is continuously acknowledged and obeyed.

Workings

Translated as "activities" (energema) in the NKVJ, it means "the actual effects of man-God encounters." I prefer the term "workings" since it's closer to the original Greek. The word, energema, is derived from the combining of three Greek words: 1. En = in; 2. Erg = task or work. These two are combined so that en-erg means working [in someone's life]. Finally this is linked to 3. Ema = the effect of. So the complete word means "the effect of God working in someone's life."

When God touches man a number of things can happen. For example, when God comes upon some they might experience excitement, fear, or joy. Others might repent or feel sorrowful. Whatever one experiences, the unifying principle to understanding it is that the experience is a work of God. How does this unify people? Here's how I think it happens: When a person comes to realize that it is God who determines the effect these man-God encounters will have on another person, then an accepting non-judgmental attitude follows. This godly attitude is the foundation on which true unity is built. If one doesn't follow this admonition and gives in to a spirit of comparison, then it's very hard to stay unified.

The aspect of God that unifies the Body is His omnipotence. He is the one in control. He knows the past, present, and future as well as what is best for us. When we know God as good and omnipotent, a humble abandonment--the refusal to demand certain things to happen--comes. Abandonment promotes unity because it lets God be God and prevents us from mucking around too much to try to make things happen.

Why These Three?

The gifts, ministries, and workings of God's people on the earth is the kingdom of God in action. 1 Corinthians 12 calls these three operating together as "the manifestation of the Spirit." The Greek word for manifestation, phanerosis, means "to make visible, clear, or manifest. When believers are involved in the team work of these three working in harmony, then they can be used to visibly show to other people God in their lives. The Spirit actually uses these to make Himself known to people.

Our Most Important Earthly Team--The Family
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No relationships are more important than the ones you enjoy with members of your own family. I'm indebted to Henri Nouwen for stimulating some of my thinking in this area.

Family is inseparably linked to the place we call home. "Home" is more than a "house." It's a place where I'm loved. More importantly, it's where I'm taught by God how to love and how to work on and develop successful personal relationships. Having one's family life in order is crucial to spiritual growth. Paul explains this to Timothy when discussing the qualifications for leadership in the Body of Messiah:

[The prospective leader must be] one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence. For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the congregation of God (1 Tim. 3:4-5).

Unfortunately, this isn't what goes on in most homes. Most Americans have taken the spiritual life out of their homes. The common sense view (just read the Proverbs) is that family and home are meant to teach the next generation spiritual principles for success. When the home stops doing this, something vital is lost. School, friends, mentors--all the elements of support systems--cannot replace the soul-nurturing properties of family and home.

III. Problem Areas

Independence or Interdependence?
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Society honors people who are of independent spirit. The myth of "rugged individualism" is more and more accepted. The biblical model for our behavior balances two relationships: An independent personal intimacy with God and an interdependent living out of our faith in community.

By the present-day's twisted logic, interdependence is often seen as weakness. That's far from the truth. On the other hand, independence also has its place. Yet sometimes it gets in the way of forming lasting relationships or working together with others.

Let's start this section's discussion by looking at the effect of independence upon the smallest team--the relationship between two people. At its negative extreme, independence can result in a cold, detached self-reliance; people become a bother. On the other hand, many independent people are tender and loving toward others. No one wants to project coldness or condescension toward others, yet somehow independent people are often seen to be this way by others.

Why Some Have a Problem

If relationships are strained, it's usually the result of poor communication skills because independence means acting alone--not relying upon others, or doing what the crowd does. Those who have always been independent-minded have had less practice than others in communicating. People who do it often, and in depth, get good at it.

If you're an independent type, but also introverted, you will probably have more difficulties than most as you interact with people. It's like adding weight to a sinking ship to make it sink faster.

Most people think an introvert is the opposite of a people person. Some have negative opinions of introverts, labeling them as self-absorbed people who care more about themselves than about others. I think the popular conception of introverts is too harsh. It's a judgment based on appearance. Remember, no one can ever know for certain what is in another person's heart.

I like to define an extrovert as one who thrives on interactions with other people. They gain energy and refreshment from being with people. Their opposite, the introvert, usually feels drained after such encounters. The introvert may love a good conversation or personal encounter as well, but after a time they need to end it and get away by themselves. A study of Americans shows that approximately 25 percent of us are introverts while 75 percent of us are extroverts.

Why is all of this important? And why should you care if you're an introvert or an extrovert? Perhaps my experience will answer that question.

For many years I didn't know that I was an introvert. After being with people for a while, I'd tune them out--usually by breaking eye contact for a while or, worse yet, walking away without explaining why. At the time, I didn't understand my reasons for doing it. Unfortunately, another might interpret my actions as meaning that I didn't care about them.

After I unknowingly made the first move by subconsciously withdrawing from them I'd pick up negative reactions, negative body language, lack of interest... . Since I didn't realize that I was projecting indifference, I either took their rejection personally or thought there was something wrong with the other person. Imagine how damaging this type of interaction became! It certainly didn't promote warm feelings of trust and friendship. Instead, it compounded my problems with people.

Gradually I came to recognize that the length of interactions drained me, not people. When I accepted myself and my limitations I learned how to avoid "tuning out" with better planning. I schedule "alone time" and limit intense, prolonged people encounters so I can be more sensitive to the feelings of others. Now I can say what's in my heart rather than simply reacting to an internal feeling of being drained.

Why Do We Need Others?

Combining our efforts with others is God's way of equipping a person to accomplish more. It also aids in spiritual development as well. The degree of a person's spiritual depth is always in proportion to the depth of that person's relationships with others. That's because the essence of spirituality is relational--first to God, and then toward others. Through our relationship with God we understand that he is good. He wants what is best for us. We partake of his goodness so that our love for Him might flow outward to others. This divine pattern won't work unless we're exercising it in human relationships. We all need to share our lives with others.

Things Or People: Which Do We Value More?
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Every day we are bombarded by reminders that things matter most. What are "things"? They are objects or substances that you can see, hear, touch, taste, or smell. By this definition, a person is also a thing. Yet we're different because we have both a soul and spirit that God can fill. It's a sad truth that today our society is preoccupied with soul-less things.

People of the twentieth century are less and less able to distinguish the difference in worth between things and people. The problem is that people have been devalued and things overvalued solely on their desirability and usefulness. People struggle to possess more things without finding them satisfying. That's because true happiness comes only from relationships with people.

Most of us understand that nothing can replace the fulfillment of relationships and yet their importance is minimized because they're so difficult to quantify. Unfortunately, when a relationship hinders the acquisition of "things," it's usually the relationships that are jettisoned, not the things.

How did we get so twisted? One reason is that having more things makes a person feel in control of their destiny. It may also be a subconscious way to escape feeling powerless or helpless. Yet in my opinion, the number one reason is that as a society we've failed to place a high enough value on spiritual growth. And without a vibrant spiritual life, mankind will invariably gravitate to things and the base lusts of control and power.

The Joy of Combining with Others
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Besides making good sense and being God's will for man, combining has the added dimension of being a joyful experience. When one combines with others and the task is accomplished with success, there is a great sense of both personal victory and joy because the kingdom of God has grown on this earth.

There is a richness in the realization that one has fulfilled what God wanted them to. In addition, our obedience in the matter of working with others opens up greater areas of service. It's a spiritual principle that "he that is faithful in that which is least" will generally be entrusted with greater spiritual responsibility. Lastly, successful combining is an uplifting spiritual experience because it's energized by the Holy Spirit. I believe that there is an actual, tangible anointing from the Spirit that comes upon us when we join others in doing the work of God's kingdom. And believe me there's nothing like the life-giving infilling of the Spirit of God to propel us into further service and a deeper relationship with Him.

Six Hindrances to Combining With Others
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1. Pride

In the Second Commandment for Success (Realism), I discussed pride as "the over-rating of certain qualities actually possessed." Pride prevents a person from being realistic about personal assets so relations with others are blocked. The prideful person falsely believes that others have nothing to add to the situation.

2. Selfishness

Selfish people care too much about themselves and too little about others. This attitude influences every action they take. Selfishness skews a person's relationships because selfish people make themselves the center of every interaction. People naturally resent this type of attitude and withdraw.

Like pride, selfishness grips a person with self-absorption so that they become blind to the needs of others and cooperation is impossible.

3. Complacency

Complacent persons are satisfied that they've done enough, even when they've overlooked important points. Sometimes it's a failure to take a long view of a situation or control their impulses to leap at a new issue without settling an old one first.

Complacency is not contentment--that deep sense of peace that rewards a person for completing a task well. Complacency causes one to avoid further work because of a false sense of reality.

It's no accident that complacent people are usually self-indulgent because complacency often stems from immaturity. The urge for immediate gratification overwhelms their ability to complete a task and/or interact with people as they should in order to accomplish good deeds.

Neglect is a different form of complacency. It usually comes from putting too much on our plate. If you find yourself neglecting people or tasks when you don't want to, perhaps you're working too hard. You might find reading and growing in the Tenth Commandment for Success (Hard Work) helpful.

4. Envy
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Envy is defined as a wish to possess what another person has. Most of the time, an envious person has their eyes on some "thing". Less common, but equally disastrous, is envy that drives its holder into wanting to be or to have certain characteristics possessed by someone else. Perhaps it's their looks; it might be their intelligence; it is often a position. The less the envious person has of a coveted item the more he wants it.

Envy rises to a more sinister level when an envious person dislikes someone and allows dislike to turn to hate. Jealousy, like dry rot, consumes their humanity.

The emotion of envy can begin with a mere glance. Someone with wealth walks by and the envy glasses go on, coloring everything its victim sees. The wealthy persons appear to be invincible. No harm can possibly come to them. In this distorted picture they are healthy, tanned, free of problems, and without disappointments. The envious, deceived by their very imaginings, fall into the deadly sin of imagining "if only... if only... if only... ."

It's all a delusion. Read about the rich and famous in periodicals on the newsstand and follow their lives. The stories are filled with tragedy, addiction, divorce, and miseries of every kind. Why are such lives the object of the envious? The answer is simple: A life that excludes God generally has no other goals than wealth, power, or fame. Rest assured, these will never bring contentment.

Envy prevents combining with others by propelling us into a fantasy world disconnected from reality. Perhaps you'd benefit from reviewing the Second Commandment for Success (Realism). Think about the joy of combining with others. You'll begin to hunger and thirst for a life devoted to spiritual growth and find it a lot more sensible and attainable.

5. Lust

Most people associate "lust" with a desire for sexual pleasure. That's not the topic here. Lust is akin to impulse--the inside pull that says, "I want it and I want it now." Lust is an automatic response to an internal tension that's created by what you've seen, heard, smelled, tasted, or felt. Lust draws you away from combining with people because of its demand to be immediately satisfied. It takes time to work amicably with others but lust can't wait.

Lust breeds both material and spiritual disappointment by demanding immediate answers to requests. If it's not dealt with promptly, then spiritual decay is always the result. Lust can be devastating when a request is not answered in an expected way. Spiritual trust does the opposite of lust--it waits patiently.

Lust in the material realm leads to isolation because of the greater value placed on things rather than people. If a lustful person allows disappointment to take root it will quickly turn into despair, further isolating them from people.

Our capitalistic society thrives on competition and ambition. Isn't the first person to the marketplace the winner? In business, it's kill or be killed. There's no better economic system available but if you're not careful, you'll be sucked into it and your spiritual development will dry up. Worse yet, you'll be further isolated.

Though lust seems to have its origin in human desire alone, I've found that its core is spiritual. Lust is a polarizing force. Either you'll obey your internal impulses or you'll obey the impressions God places upon your spirit. It seems as if there is no in-between state. To escape this quandary, accept responsibility for your lusts. If you're a slave to your impulses don't blame someone else. Accept the reality of your slavery. But pledge to God your desire to get rid of it. There is no other solution than to yield yourself to God; he's the only one who can break the stranglehold of lust.

The Scriptures tell us that a wise man seeks counsel--not the recommendation of an expert but the distilled wisdom of someone who has a long-standing and deeply spiritual relationship with God. Perhaps you could use the help of a godly counselor? Right now I ask you to take a moment to pray about this:

Dear Lord, you know I've been struggling with things that I can't seem to overcome. I've tried hard, yet I can't seem to find or maintain any victory. I know that you want to help me. Lead me, by the power of Your Spirit, to find the help I need. Right now, set loose the bonds that hold me and lead me into Your presence. Amen.

6. Woundedness
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Are you afraid to ask for the help of others or to work on a team to see something accomplished? Perhaps you've even turned away from your own family. Does the thought of entering into association with others scare you or perhaps even repulse you? If this seems to be your problem, I'm going to ask you to consider taking a chance. Before I tell you what it is, let me say a few things to you:

I understand that you may have been wounded by your past relationships. God ordained that our people-interactions should be a source of joy, fulfillment, and empowerment. Yet I know some of you have only sorrow, disappointment, and hurt. Don't be afraid to step out into new relationships. With God's help, you will see great breakthroughs in this area. Take the chance to make yourself vulnerable. If you don't, you'll miss the spiritual growth and personal joy that only relationships with people can provide.

Copyright 2000, Gesher, Robert I. Winer, M.D.

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