From time to time I will re-post someones thoughts. (It is no secret that I am not a genius!) The internet had provided a medium for sharing some great insights. The following list comes from pastor/blogger Shawn Lovejoy.
Shawn posted a list of ways to help pastors from falling into sin – which is a very necessary list. As I was reading it this morning, it occurred to me that this list has great value for all of us. Too often we do not give our daily lives, our actions and responses, the thoughts necessary to keep us from walking into some very dangerous areas.
You do not need to be a pastor to read and understand why this list is necessary.
Think about this list. Then let me know any suggestions – thoughts or ways that God has used in your life to keep you from walking into sin.
Shawn Lovejoy’s list of how to keep from falling into sin…
- Read your Bible daily, and read portions of Scripture that have NOTHING to do with this week’s message.
- Take your off day Religiously. Burnout leads to spiritual failure and dropout.
- If you don’t rest, you will burn out. Period. You are not exempt.
- Tell you congregation you will NOT be out more than 2-3 nights a week.
- Keep office hours. Go home at 5 or 5:30 PM. People have to see their doctor, their dentist, their lawyer, and their counselor from 8-5. Spiritual counsel should be no different. You MUST have a life at night with your family.
- Don’t open your laptop after you get home.
- Don’t answer your cell phone after you get home.
- When you walk in the house after work, don’t be on the cell phone.
- Spend less time on Twitter and facebook. Spend more time communicating with your family.
- Get secure in your own skin. The desire for attention or pleasing people is a flag that will get you in trouble.
- Confess your temptations or addictions to a trusted friend NOT in your church.
- Schedule a date night with you spouse ATLEAST once a month. If you don’t have the money, ask the church to pay for it. (my church doesn’t, BTW) Your church will, though, if you ask them.
- Tell your congregation that the best gift you have to offer them is NOT a close relationship with every one of them, but a close relationship with God and a close relationship with your spouse.
- Don’t just talk about ministry with your spouse. Start a hobby TOGETHER!
- Exercise! Flabby body=flabby mind=flabby spirit.
- Take walks with God early in the morning when you can talk out loud to Him and share your hurts, pains, struggles, and dreams.
- Get your spouse out of that ministry they feel tied to because no one else will do it. You’re burning them out.
- Have a family night regularly where you allow your kids to set the agenda.
- Have a hobby you enjoy by yourself.
- Tell your spouse you love them EVERY DAY!
- Speak positively of your spouse from the stage.
- Listen to friends that raise flags about your behavior.
- Don’t ever be in the car, or your office, or ANY PLACE alone with opposite sex with the door shut. NEVER. NEVER. NEVER.
- Make the above policy for every Pastor on your Team.
- Don’t flirt, including online, or in emails! If you’re flirted with (and you will be), don’t respond, and immediately tell your spouse.
- Think about the consequences of your sin if carried out and found out. Who and how many will get hurt?
- Remember, pride goes before a fall, and you can not stand too close to a fire and not get burned.
- Make Nurturing Vitality the most important part of your job description.
