Satans Lie # 5 Over Active

Devils Lie #5. Pharisee Performance

I once worked with a man who was quite a likable fellow. He matured into adulthood in a poor to modest home environment. This may have contributed to his zeal to achieve recognition in all areas of his public life. The “country” description of this person would be that he was “uppity.” As many folks do in life, he thought the more you put into something the more you should to get out of it. Starting at the bottom was difficult for him to accept. Very few companies, if any, hire unproven supervisors. Once he realized what he would have to do to climb the management ladder, he worked easy until a supervisor, especially the company owner, appeared in the work area. Then, no beaver ever outperformed him. He worked for attention, sought family and community recognition as a key person in the company and to gain additional funds to financially purchase those things that would increase his public status. You could tag him a “show off or a “brown noser.” His attitude was climb as high on the work ladder as possible. As a result, he felt this would also increase his company and community recognition. He accepted all voluntary work assignments, worked overtime often, made improvement suggestions and pampered the lupine supervisors. Well, it worked as he planned But it never was about perfect performance or quality work. It was about his personal need to be accepted and praised. He got the commendations he was hoping for. At the top, looking down the climb he had made, he realized he had failed to realize he was now only a high ranking failure. He had missed the point all together and had failed to draw other workers into his push for success. He failed as a top supervisor, lost his job but learned a valuable lesson.

We can observe this practice some have in serving God. It is where, if they are not careful they fall into the quagmire of performance thus becoming more concerned with how much we do to be seen, and less concerned with the why or results. Satan makes it very easy for this type to become professional performers, getting involved in every ministry possible. Bragging, we are on the worship team, the greeters team, the missions team, the youth team, the production team, the offering team, the tear down team, the prayer team, small group study team, etc.. Such endeavors are exhausting and diminish the good accomplished. Satan loves to get these false achiever and work them hard in the church. We must accept the fact that we are not in church to be seen or praised rather to praise and glorify our Lord. We are not worthy to be seen. Matthew 6:5 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” One doesn’t have to manipulate God’s work to be seen by God. He watches over us twenty-four seven. We are seen by God because the blood of Jesus reflects our kinship with Him. Satan would have you believe otherwise. If he can keep you arguing, struggling and verse hopping, he is satisfied because you missed God’s mark.. When the Prodigal Son was far off on his road back home Luke says,“And while he was yet long way off, his father saw him and ran to him and fell upon his neck and kissed him.” He was filled with compassion for him; “ (Luke 15:20). If the devil tries to get you involved in too many distracting “good” works, hit the floor with your knees and stay there until God reveals to you what is necessary for you to accomplish. We serve a God who see us and meets us where we are before we ever lift a finger of performance. Know God,, know peace. 02-28-2019 BLL