Godly Perspective

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV


Over the last month I have been deeply burdened with a specific topic: GODLY PERSPECTIVE.


The Definition of Perspective:

• a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view
• true understanding of the relative importance of things

As I have been pondering this topic of perspective these last few months, I am astonished at how easily it is for us to take on the thoughts, opinions, beliefs and perspectives of other people and/or ministries rather than seeking a Godly perspective for whatever it is we are dealing with.

When we listen to the heart of others - whether it is gossip, slander, wounds, bitterness, offenses, thoughts, confusion, processing, or opinions without seeking God through His Word, prayer and Godly counsel we risk taking on an ungodly perspective about that circumstance or person. We then run the risk of making ungodly decisions that could ultimately hurt what God wants to do.

When we listen to these things said from others, our ears and hearts can become polluted with an ungodly perspective. When we shared that distorted perspective we then pollute others.  We can then tend to respond in the moment without adequately searching the Word of God for wisdom and understanding.  

We become responders to our emotions and/or to the thoughts of others and we fail to look for God in the midst of what we are dealing with. We as leaders need to learn to not lead from this place of our own perspective or the perspective of others.  And we must learn to discipline ourselves by slowing down and seeking counsel from the Word of God and others outside of our circles of influence. We must learn to be led by the Spirit of God and the Word of God, and not to be led by the perspectives of man.  Our view of things must become God's view if we want spiritual health in our lives, in our relationships and in our organizations.

So often, in the moment, we can think that what is being shared with us or what is being said is truth about a circumstance, a person, and/or a ministry.  And we forget to stop and ask the Holy Spirit to give us a Godly Perspective on whatever it is we are dealing with. We allow human wisdom to guide us, and we lose sight of His heavenly wisdom.

We don't slow down our hearts and minds to seek God. We fail to allow prayer, the Spirit of God, and the Word of God to lead us.  And we fail to recognize that what is being shared with us about a person or circumstance might not necessarily be the truth.  We fail to look for truth.

We fail to hear what is really being spoken through that other person.  In all things - there are voices that are at work trying to influence our decisions and our perspective of life and other people:

1.  God's Voice & Perspective

2.  Our Flesh's Voice & Perspective

3.  The Enemy's Voice & Perspective

Each one of those above, is seeking each day to guide us and to influence how we think about life, how we think about people, and how we think about God's church and His ministries.  And whatever voice we are listening to and following on any given day - will be the one leading us.  How sobering is that?

As leaders, we must become disciplined at being slow to respond, quick to pray and listen, and wise to discern which voice and perspective is at work in any given situation.  This is how we will bring the heart of God to others.

We must not make quick decisions or come to judgments about someone or something without seeking counsel in God's Word and seeking counsel from others outside our immediate circles. We must learn to lead from a place of a Godly perspective. We must learn to view people and situations as God does.  We must learn to live life from Godly wisdom and discernment.  We must learn to live life from the Word of God and a life of prayer.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.?  James 1:5 NIV

"But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  James 3:14-16 NIV

For months, I have been thinking about Peter and how quick he was to respond  to Jesus about the cross.  And how Peter allowed the enemy to speak through him to try to influence Jesus and his decision. 

It has sobered me to the reality that the enemy would love for us to have his perspective and to thwart the work of Jesus in and through our lives - and through the lives of those we lead!  


Don't take on the enemy's perspective of those on your team!  This is the enemy trying to destroy the work of God.  Seek God for His perspective on all things.

Peter in his fleshly understanding wanted to do everything in his power to keep Jesus from going to Jerusalem and to the cross.  Peter could not see from a Godly perspective.  He was blinded by his own personal understanding and desires.  Peter was blind to the work of God.  Peter was deceived by his own perspective.

"From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.  Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”  - Matthew 16:21-23 NKJV

As leaders, we must be committed to seeking God for His perspective on all that we do.  You might be wondering, how do I even begin to do such a thing?  

Here are a couple quick things you can begin to implement to see a difference in how you view life and others.  

# 1 - SLOW DOWN & PRAY

As a leader, when someone comes to you with an issue, or a concern, or a problem to solve..... don't immediately take on what they are sharing as if it is truth.  


Slow yourself down to listen to what is being shared and ask the Lord to give you discernment to hear which voice is speaking and what is being shared.  Ask God to give you discernment and wisdom to know what is Truth.

• What is God saying through this person?
• What is their flesh speaking and not God?  (past wounds, bitterness, offenses, envy, jealousy, fear, etc...) 
• What is the enemy trying to do through this person to bring about death to others, or death to a ministry?

When you are seeking to discern what is going on, it is so important to learn the character and the attributes of God, of the flesh and of the enemy.  I have attached a drawing I did on discerning these three voices.  You will better learn to discern what is God, what is the flesh and what is the enemy as you learn more about what the attributes/fruit of each one looks like. 

# 2 - SEEK GOD'S WORD & COUNSEL OF OTHERS OUTSIDE YOUR CIRCLE 

As a leader when you are seeking to gain wisdom and understanding on an issue or problem, it is important to not respond until you have direction and wisdom from the Lord.  When an issue arises within your ministry whether it is a personal conflict, or a ministry challenge, it is important to slow down (as mentioned above) and it is important to spend time in God's Word seeking His counsel in how to respond and how to lead through that circumstance.  It is also very important to talk to others confidentially outside your immediate circle and team.

The reason for seeking outside counsel, is if deception is operating around the issue at hand and with the people within your ministry, the only way to discern deception is by allowing others outside your church, ministry, or even your family system to speak life and wisdom to you. This will help give you a more Godly perspective if the enemy is seeking to bring about death or destruction to what God has called you to lead.  


"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 NIV

It is always wise to ask people from outside of your immediate circle to share what they are seeing and discerning.  Allow people to speak life over your ministry.  Do not isolate your team or your ministry from counsel from the outside.  


"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."  Proverbs 15:22 NIV

Following these simple Biblical principles will bring a tremendous amount of health to your organization, to your teams and to all your relationships.  Seek God's perspective.


"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV


Lord,
I do pray that you would help us Lord to discern your voice and your perspective in all our dealings.  Lord, that we would be slow to responding and quick to praying.  Lord, help us as leaders to seek your heart, your will and your perspective in all that you have given us stewardship to lead.  Help us to grow in Godly wisdom and discernment and help us to lead well, and to lead with wisdom and understanding that comes from the counsel of your Word and the counsel of others.  In Jesus' name, Amen.