Devil’s Advocate
Earlier today, I was reflecting on a period of my life that I’m not so proud of…I call it my “devils advocate” period.
I’ve been involved in ministry at various levels since I was 16 years old. There was a time when I thought I knew everything about ministry, theology and church methodology. I had read a bunch of books, attended a lot of conferences, and brushed up against some fairly influential church leaders. I thought I knew it all. I had gained a ton of exposure, but had little experience. My ministry experience was equivalent to that of a third grade karate student… just enough knowledge to get my butt kicked!
This particular stage in my development as a young adult is not my favorite to reflect on. I allowed my attitude to sour toward leadership. I would argue just for the sake of arguing. And I found more pleasure in sharing my opinion than in reaching lost people. I would always defend the counterpoint in discussions with other church leaders about their ideas. I loved pointing out flaws in other’s thought development. I was ANNOYING. I was a real jerk sometimes, too. Occasionally, someone would call me out on my behavior. And I would usually respond by saying, “Oh I’m just playing the devil’s advocate.” As if that made me less annoying.
This is what I wish someone would have said to me back then:
The devil doesn’t need a freaking advocate. Period. God will not use your arrogant, cocky, prideful attitude. Stop arguing with your inexperienced opinions and get on board with what God is doing in your local church and through your leaders. If you can learn to submit to your spiritual authority as opposed to subverting them, then maybe…just maybe, God will give you influence and favor.
3 Comments
Good post. Advocates from the dark side not needed!
Good lesson to learn. Submission also means participation.
David submitted to Saul’s authority, but God had put him in opposition to Saul as well.
It is OK to take a different point of view. Being in submission doesn’t mean that you don’t challenge the authority, but that you can provide different points of view and still support the decisions of those who lead you.
One person making decisions in a vacuum is dangerous and not in anyone’s best interest. In your world it leads to egomania and sometimes cults. The list is too long of Christian leaders who assumed and executed unquestioned authority. They all fall.
Learning when to question and submit, and when to resist is a long road.
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Heavenly Father, provide Bill with wisdom and passion for you and your church. Let him learn from the leaders, you put in his life. Let him be a sharpening tool for his leaders, and let him fight shoulder to shoulder with those leaders. To Your Glory! Amen
Lol, I know people who do this.