Fivefold leadership is a call to servanthood.
According to Ephesians 4: 11-16, The purpose of the Fivefold ministry is to perfect the saints for the work of ministry. The Bible warns us to be aware of leaders who are in error. But what makes a leader false?
A false leader is someone who claims to be sent by God yet preaches anything that God is against. Their teachings lead people to worship either themselves or false gods. These leaders do not address sin. They use scripture to cover them. They often live in sin or have not healed from trauma, and they are usually filled with pride.
According to scripture, they fail to address their sins before addressing others. They refuse to repent and continue leading in the same flawed manner. They are typically arrogant and use their position to harm others while concealing their struggles.
The gifts of God are irrevocable. God assigns each person's calling in their mother's womb. The enemy does not want anyone to fulfill their divine purpose and, therefore, schemes to detour, destroy, and kill people before they can realize their purpose. The devil uses familiar spirits to either place curses on individuals or perpetuate generational curses.
God, in His grace, ensures that we're exposed to the truth throughout our lifetime. With these gifts, we can choose to worship God or the devil. Psychics, witches, and warlocks were called to the prophetic. However, they decided to tap into the demonic rather than the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is clear about who belongs to him. He said he cut off the branches that do not bear fruit. We must recognize that we are not to boast about the downfall of others. We should strive to serve according to the pattern set by the Lord Jesus. Even then, we must serve the Lord in fear and trembling.
The main point I want to leave you, the reader, with today is that false leaders may function in the church for years before the Lord sends uncompromising leaders to bring correction. That is never his first option. God first attempts to bring correction through the agent of the Holy Spirit. Then, the Lord will use persons closest to anyone who has strayed from God's original plan for our lives. Finally, He resorts to open rebuke. There are signs to identify which kingdom the people around us are a part of.
Here are a few signs to identify an error within ourselves and others.
1. Manipulation: This is a form of witchcraft often overlooked in the church. This is because leaders are usually revered and obeyed without question. Manipulation includes trying to control and manipulate others against their will. Many leaders cause others to sin when they demand that their team cover their sins.
Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
2. Slander: This one is tricky. We may think we are sharing about current or past events concerning our spouses, coworkers, or colleagues. The problem is the spirit behind sharing. The enemy wants us to think this is harmless, but the Bible says otherwise. The act of slander is conspiring against others. Whether what was said is true or false, the result is character assassination.
Galatians 5:9: “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
3. Liar. Anyone who battles in secret eventually lies. They lie to cover their sins and to find favor with the masses. Someone who lies can’t help themselves. What may start small goes deep roots. When we play with the devil, we open doors to controlling demons. Lying is a spirit. The Bible speaks of a liar as the devil.
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
4. They pray forcefully. They are naturally sensitive to the spirit realm, and to the untrained ear, they are powerful Intercessors. If you listen closely, you will notice that they are destructive.
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.
5. They have great influence but always seek power and personal gain—selfish ambitions.
Matthew 23:2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
6. They are the type to point people to themselves instead of God. Pity is a popular tool that manipulators use. They can move you to tears with lies compelling you to believe their narrative.
7. They leave a trail of lies, betrayal, and strife wherever they go.
Matthew 12: 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth evil things.
8. Constant illness, the love of money, and perversion clearly show a compromised leader or ministry.
Matthew 6: 34 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
It is easy for anyone to fall into deception when they refuse to humble themselves to God. Be sure to remain humble in any administration the LPRD assigns you to. The spirit of error is anything that goes against the word of God.
Frequent self-examination is recommended. If you see your behavior change to entertaining strife, broken relationships, and disunity in the church, repent quickly. God is faithful and forgives anyone who turns away from sin.
The antidote to becoming or identifying a leader who is in error is:
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion of the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Corinthians 8:9 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
Ephesians 6:10-18: Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, you can stand.
Exodus 20: 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Saints, we should never take our walk with God for granted. The blood of His people is in the hands of those who choose to walk in unholiness and use His name for selfish gain. To avoid becoming a false leader, we must remain humble and maintain the fear of the Lord. God is faithful in forgiving those with a repented heart and will continue using them for his glory. Those filled with pride will be plotted out and exposed for their deceit.
