3. Self-centered versus Spirit-centered

You are not self-centered but Spirit-centered. Zechariah 4:6 says “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Sometime, when we ask people to come forth to serve in the ministry and to serve God, they say they are not adequate or good enough. But we got to understand that God is not looking for perfect vessel but willing vessel. Your lifestyle is going to grow more and more into perfection. But God is looking for a willing heart that He can pour out His anointing and Spirit upon you. So it is not to find the source within yourself but to lean upon God who will empower you and give you a vision. I said earlier that when God gives you the vision, He will give you the provision.

4. Legalism versus Love

In leadership, the way you lead is not legalism. Don’t lead by legalism but by love. People respond to love. They follow you. They respect you. They are accountable to you because they know they can find love and acceptance in you. How do you keep the church members loyal to the church? How do you keep employees loyal to the company? The answer is you got to show them that you love them. People think that employees leave the company because of money. But very often in an environment if they see that you love them and in a family-like kind of relationship in a company, they are usually loyal and committed to you. So don’t build legalism. Build on love.

5. Fear versus Faith

In mentoring, in discipleship, don’t bring fear but inspire faith. When you disciple and mentor people, inspire faith in them. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 says, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  So the Scripture says to stir up the gift that is in the person. God has not given us a spirit of fear.

6. Control versus Concern

In supervision, in the way you do follow-up, it is not about control but sincere care or concern. If you have someone in church who didn’t come to church, and the cell leader called him up. He told the cell leader that he has flu and unwell. Instead of showing care and concern, the cell leader told the member that the next time he didn’t come to church, the member has to call the leader so that the leader can report to the pastor. This is control. This is not sincere care and concern. Instead, the leader should ask whether the member has seen a doctor and whether he can pray for the member for God’s healing.

When you do everything in faith, then you will show sincere care. When you do it in faith, you will do it in love. You lean on the Holy Spirit. You will provide true service to the people. You will create an environment of liberty.

7. Duty versus Devotion

In work when you do, don’t do it out of duty but do it with devotion which means love. Do it wholeheartedly. There is a very touching story in Exodus 17:12 about Moses. This is a time when Moses was praying during the battle between the Israelites and the Amalek. Moses at that time was already an old man. He has to hold up the rod of God in his hand and when he did, the Israelites would win and advance on the battle. Being an old man, his hands couldn’t hold too long and started to become heavy. I look at what Hur and Aaron did in Exodus 17:12 – “But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

Moses didn’t tell Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands. Aaron and Hur saw that Moses was tired and his hands were heavy so they took a stone for him to sit and supported his hands. That was going beyond the call of duty into love. Knowing how to show honour and love to an older man. Duty takes us where we need to go but devotion takes us to another mile. Service should not be out of duty but out of devotion and love. If we serve out of duty, we will do the bear minimum. But if we serve out of devotion, we will do all that it takes. Employees do not say that it is not within my job description but go beyond and take ownership over your company. You will find promotion will come your way. Go beyond. It is all in your attitude.