What was the problem with Judas? We see quickly that Achan and Judas wanted everything their way. What he needed to be recognized and rewarded for everything he did. The Judas attitude of thinking allows a sense of justification. “I am going to get them back!” It justifies, in a person’s mind, that it is okay to betray a brother or sister.
By James Holland, Sr.
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“For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
As leaders, it seems like we find ourselves trying to navigate through a war zone of situations, temptations, and decisions that demand the right choice for us to continue in our quest for the propagation of the growth of God’s kingdom. At times it can be overwhelming to us.
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:5
At face value, this seems simple enough to do. Yet in reality it can become a great struggle for us. Jesus gave 1,050 commandments in the New Testament that we need to adhere to and obey. These were not suggestions, or requests, but commandments that the only savior of all humanity gave for us to obey. So it goes without saying, we need to take God’s word seriously. This is the only way we are pleasing in God’s sight.
Consider the following attitudes from people in the Bible that either were leaders or wanted to be leaders:
The Achan Attitude
Joshua 6:17 – Joshua 7:1-26
Achan did what God specifically told the people not to do. God had made it very clear that all the gold, silver, and iron and every living thing in Jericho was to be killed and destroyed by fire because it was accursed. Of course, Achan did not obey the command of God. What would cause someone who understood the rules of engagement, who knew beyond any doubt that God was real, someone who was basically a good person, disobey the direct command of God?
One word – SELFISHNESS! Achan was selfish. His flaw was selfishness by his on admission. He said, I saw, I coveted, I took, and I put it in my tent! His selfishness brought great devastation; not only on him but on his family as well. It also affected the entire nation of Israel. As leaders, our attitudes and actions affect everyone around us. When you are in any level of leadership, you cannot be selfish or you will self-destruct and probably destroy a lot of other people in the process as well.
Achan was like a lot of people today who are stuck in chapter seven of Romans where the words me, my, and myself are repeated 52 times in just 26 verses. We need to remember that the work of God is bigger than me. People who are in this state of mind need to pray through to a Romans chapter 8 experience. Here Paul is talking about what God has done in his life and the lives of all who are born again. The revelation of God and who He is is mentioned 57 times in just 39 verses. There are only two first-person pronouns in the entire chapter. Paul is putting the “I” out and putting “God” in and this always produces the right attitude. Romans chapter seven is the carnal chapter; Romans eight is the spiritual, or victory, chapter. Which chapter are you in?
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