Self-Confident Men Devise Mischief

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 6min
 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 9
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In Num. 16 we see imposing human energy at work. Presumptuous ones "who seemed to be somewhat." "Kohath... Dathan... Abiram and On... rose up...with two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous... men of renown... against Moses, and against Aaron." "The earth opened and swallowed them...and...fire from the Lord consumed the two hundred and fifty" princes. Neither their numbers nor their importance made a wrong thing right. Influential leaders may have many followers of the same mind who might belittle those who are otherwise minded. Disparaging remarks, sowing discord, increase estrangement, and factions form. Far better to "rise up" in holy energy like that faithful and courageous leader, Phinehas (Num. 25)
We are to "mark those who cause divisions... and avoid them... By good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple... I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil" (Rom. 16:17-1917Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. (Romans 16:17‑19)). But how do they cause divisions? The very verse which tells us to avoid them tells us how they cause them, -contrary to the doctrine.
We should deplore leaders who commend neutrality when the truth is being sacrificed, for the sake of peace. Such is spineless unfaithfulness. Silence and muzzling at such a time suits the enemy. God's voice must be declared for His glory. Here is where the fear of man, or of even our kindred, bringeth a snare.
Well may they fear exposure who depend upon getting their heads together as a coterie of policy leaders, instead of being led wholly by the Word and Spirit of the Lord. These human arrangements are not the way of the Spirit of Christ. It is human energy "that causeth sweat" (Ezek. 44:1818They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat. (Ezekiel 44:18)). It can "make a fair show in the flesh" (Gal. 6:1212As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. (Galatians 6:12)), but nothing more.
"David consulted with the captains... and with every leader." He said, "If it seem good unto you... let us bring again the ark of our God unto us... for the thing was right in the eyes of the people... They carried the ark of God in a new cart" (1 Chron. 13). But they had to humbly learn the vanity of their own device which had disregarded God's explicit word. Therefore David confessed that "the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for we sought Him not after the due order... according to the word of the Lord" (1 Chron. 15). David thoroughly humbled himself on this, the occasion of bringing back the ark in God's way, for David said, "I will yet be more vile... and will be base in mine own sight" (2 Sam. 6:2222And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honor. (2 Samuel 6:22)).
Job was another unusual servant of the Lord of whom the Lord said, "There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God." Nevertheless God saw the needs-be of riffling his nest, and stripping him of his good opinion of himself until he, too, discovered and confessed, "I am vile, " "I abhor myself" (Job 40:44Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. (Job 40:4) and 42:6). Is not this the most important and humbling lesson we now need? In the school of God, isolation in the backside of the desert is where God's most exemplary servants have been brought to know their own nothingness. Self-esteem, self-confidence, ambitious-self and self-importance must be thoroughly abhorred as being hindrances to manifesting Christ.
The popularity of leaders is a real danger, and Oh! how the flesh likes it.
Demas' name means 'popular'. No doubt he got along well with his worldly brethren (2 Tim. 4:1010For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10)). Ishmael "dwelt before the face of his brethren." But what a contrast we see in the utterance of Christ in the sixteenth Psalm, "I have set the Lord always before Me." For us the exhortation is, "Not with eye service, as men pleasers, but as the servants of Christ... doing service, as to the Lord and not to men" (Eph. 6:6,76Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: (Ephesians 6:6‑7)).
Through grace all His redeemed are regarded as faithful (Eph. 1:11Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 1:1) and Col. 1:22To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:2)) in maintaining the faith; but some are raised up and enabled to be in practice faithful above prevailing unfaithfulness. Heb. 11 tells of many Old Testament worthies. Besides the New Testament apostles, some are named as being particularly faithful, such as Timothy (1 Cor. 4:1717For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17)), Tychicus (Eph. 6:2121But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: (Ephesians 6:21); Col. 4:77All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: (Colossians 4:7)), Epaphras (Col. 1:77As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; (Colossians 1:7)), Onesimus (Col. 4:99With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. (Colossians 4:9)), Silvanus (1 Peter 5:1212By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. (1 Peter 5:12)), Antipas (Rev. 2:1313I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. (Revelation 2:13)), and Onesiphorus during declension (2 Tim. 1:16-1816The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. 18The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well. (2 Timothy 1:16‑18)).