How to Avoid the Traps of Success Part 3: The Recognition Trap

Judges 8:22-35

Gideon's success was astounding. Moving from fearful farmer to mighty warrior, he brought an end to pagan worship in Israel and defeated the Midianite army but his story does not have a happy ending.

"No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god and did not remember the LORD their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. They also failed to show kindness to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) for all the good things he had done for them." (Judges 8:33-35)

Gideon fell into the recognition trap. He took the gold earrings and had an ephod (a ceremonial garment) made as a memorial for this high achievement in life. He did not want to be forgotten.

In Genesis we learn of a group who wanted to be remembered. They tried to build a monument but God confused their language and scattered them. God does not share His glory!

Gideon demonstration that he had more money than he needed by commissioning this ephod made from the spoils of war. Some will use acts of conspicuous consumption for recognition – expensive cars, homes, jewelry. Some people will go into debt to show pretend wealth.

He was a hometown hero and put the ephod on the altar he built to the LORD. There are no stories of Gideon beyond this point. He would settle into a life of comfort and bask in the memories of past victories.

The choices Gideon made following his victory deviated from God's path only a little bit but the deviation put Israel on a path that took them far from God and, 40 years later, they had forgotten Gideon and his family.

Part 1 – The Celebrity Trap

Part 2 – The Entitlement Trap

How to Avoid the Traps of Success Part 2: The Entitlement Trap

Judges 8:22-35

Our response to success can impact our future blessings. After refusing to be the king, Gideon decided he was entitled to a reward. He said, “I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder.” (Judges 8:24)

It was the least they could do to honor their hero. He had risked everything in his defeat of the enemy and was entitled.

It is not unusual for a person to benefit from their success – a parking spot near the door, a corner office, first class travel – one is entitled to such perks.

However, sometimes the perks that come with success can send the wrong message. The former head of a missions group refused to enter a limo that had been sent to pick him up at the airport. “The people who give sacrificially to support missions may get the wrong impression,” he said.

The head of another missions agency got into hot water over the price of his office furniture.

Gideon gave glory to God but this desire for a big payday was a step in the wrong direction.

John Delorean was the automotive genius responsible for the Firebird, the GTO and the Grand Prix. He capitalized on his fame and talent to start Delorean Motor Cars but went bankrupt. He thought he could apply his superior business skills to traffic drugs but wound up buying drugs from undercover cops. A sense of entitlement doesn't always land you in jail but it does cause people to believe that they are above the law; or at least believe that the rules don't apply to them.

David thought he was entitled to Bathsheba. Bill Clinton thought he was entitled to Monica Lewinski. The poor feel entitled to what the rich have and the rich feel entitled to the poor.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10

Part 1 – The Celebrity Trap

Part 3 - The Recognition Trap

How to Avoid the Traps of Success Part 1: The Celebrity Trap

Judges 8:22-35

Gideon's success was astounding. He became the mighty warrior God called him to be. He brought an end to pagan worship and defeated the Midianite army, executed its evil leaders.

“The Israelites said to Gideon, 'Rule over us -- you, your son and your grandson -- because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.’” (Judges 8:22)

The Israelites now wanted Gideon to be their king. He seemed the perfect choice. He had not only delivered them in a miraculous battle, but God spoke to him. A king would make them like the other nations.

Like the Israelites, we can be tempted to seek powerful people to lead us. If we had the right pastor or music leader, we could be like the mega-churches; If we elected the right politician we can put our nation back on track; If we could lead a celebrity to faith in Christ, the world would notice. We shine a spotlight on our Christian celebrities, put them on magazine covers, pay them lots of money, and then expect them to be humble. Why are we surprised when Christian celebrities fall?

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

Gideon avoided the celebrity trap. The Israelites saw Gideon as savior but Gideon saw the Lord as Savior and told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.” (Judges 8:23)

We don’t need great men. We need a great relationship with a great God. Jesus chose 12 without a single celebrity in the bunch. The result was that the gospel was received by 3000 in one day and spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. 

Part 2 – The Entitlement Trap

 
Part 3 - The Recognition Trap
 

Dealing with Setbacks

Judges 8:1-8

The devil often counterattacks after a spiritual victory. God used Gideon and 300 men to defeat the Midianite's 135,000 but Gideon was going to face some setbacks.

Sometimes, friends, family and fellow believers will allow themselves to be used by the devil to discourage and bring division in the body of Christ. They gossip and complain as if your good fortune takes something away from them.

The Ephraimites criticized Gideon after his triumph. They complained that he did not include them in the spoils of victory. In the same way, some churches suffer from people with divisive attitudes. They want to have their own way and lose sight of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The devil’s best strategy is disunity and division.

Ephraim allowed jealousy to cloud their judgment. They were embittered and put their own interests above the greater good of God's people. Some folks can get so wrapped up in their own problems that they do not take time to consider Jesus' Great Commission and Great Commandment.

We will not always see things eye-to-eye. Disagreements occur from time to time and feelings are hurt. It happens in the best of families. Learn to put away your anger and jealousy. Replace them compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another, even as God has done so with you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Never forget where the true battle is and the true enemy. Our battle is not with people, but with our own selfish human nature, with the world and with the devil. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not from the Father, but is from the world." (I John 2:15-16)

Our weapons are spiritual. Gossip and deceitful scheming will fail. God fights our battles. We need not fight and bicker in anger but submit to God's will.

When Less is More

Judges 7

Spiritual Warfare requires dependence on God and the use of spiritual weapons

The Midianites had been raiding Israel at harvest time for 7 years. God's chosen champion, Gideon, gathered an army of 32,000 but God only needed a few good men.

The first cut involved those who lacked courage, All who were afraid were allowed to go home. Only 10,000 stayed. After a second cut, only 300 remained.

God did not choose the best warriors for his dream team. They weren't going to fight. God needed few courageous men who would follow His instructions.

God would use spiritual weapons in this battle. “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

The 300 soldiers were divided into 3 groups and surrounded the Midianite Camp. Each had a trumpet in one hand and a clay pitcher in the other. Inside each pitcher was a torch. An army usually had one trumpet and torch per 100 men.

While the enemy slept, Israel shouted, “The sword of the Lord and Gideon.” They blasted their trumpets, broke the pottery, and surrounded the camp with flaming torches. The enemy thought they were surrounded by 30,000 fighting men, panicked and fled.

Gideon did not suffer any losses. God has our back. Jesus said, “ In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

God Always Wins

Michael slays the dragon. Raphael

Judges 2:20-22

God uses our enemies to accomplish His will. In Judges we learn that God would use the nations around Israel to test them. Whenever Israel fell into sin, God allowed an enemy to chastise them. When they cried out to God, they were delivered by a champion. One of those champions, Samson, was self-centered and cavorted with the women of Israel's oppressors. Yet, God used him to accomplish His will, despite Samson's lack of cooperation.

The Jews' exile to Babylon was a sad event for Israel but it put Jewish houses of worship in places where the gospel would one day be preached. The Roman empire provided safe roads and a common language (Greek) to help spread the gospel. The expulsion of the Christians from Jerusalem increased the speed at which the gospel spread.

Not all things are good but the Bible assures us that “all things work together for good for those that love God.” (Romans 8:28)

In every church you will find destructive people who have an agenda driven by something other than the gospel. These are the weeds that Jesus said the enemy sows among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30), the goats that will one day be separated from the sheep (Matthew 25:31-46). In his book, “Well-Intentioned Dragons” Marshall Shelley writes:

“Within the church, they are often sincere, well-meaning saints, but they leave ulcers, strained relationships, and hard feelings in their wake. They don’t consider themselves difficult people. They don’t sit up nights thinking of ways to be nasty. Often they are pillars of the community – talented, strong personalities, deservingly respected – but for some reason, they undermine the ministry of the church. They are not naturally rebellious or pathological; they are loyal church members, convinced they’re serving God, but they wind up doing more harm than good.”

People wonder why bad things happen to good people and why good things happen to bad people. There is no answer to this except that God allows things to happen to accomplish his perfect will.

After Job had lost everything in a test of this faith, he declared:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job 1:21

Overcoming low self-esteem

Judges 6:36-40

Gideon overcame his weak self image to become a champion for God. He was the youngest son, of the poorest family, of the weakest tribe in Israel.. He was fearful. For seven years the Midianites would attack the Israelites and steal their crops. He suffered from low self-esteem but Gideon was valuable to God.

God called Gideon a mighty warrior but his faith was weak. He needs proof, so God patiently works to grow Gideon’s faith. God will encounter people in unbelief and lift them to a new level of service. A man told Jesus, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24).

John Wesley said, "Use what faith you have and God will give you more faith."

God is faithful to help you grow even when you feel like you have no faith at all. He grew Gideon’s faith by making him use the faith he already had.

Gideon would defeat Israel's enemies and bring 40 years of peace.

God has the big plan. He leads us along step by step. He knows us and our capabilities. He knows when we need reassurance and signs. Jesus didn’t call the disciples to turn the world upside down, change the Roman empire forever and die as martyrs, He simply said follow me and led them along step by step.

He starts us out in small ways that are close to home. I think we often fail to accomplish great things for God because we fail to be obedient in the small things.

You may think that you are a nobody but you are valuable to God . Jesus tells us, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? …

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? …

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:26-33)

Will You Refuse or Respond to God's Call?

Judges 5

Uncle Sam Wants You is among the most iconic of military recruiting posters. It dates back to the First World War. There have been many calls to arms throughout history. One occurred in the 12th Century B.C. during the the period known as Judges in the Bible. Barak called upon his countrymen to come and join the battle against their enemy. Some refused and some responded. The Song of Deborah recorded the battle with its heroes and zeroes.

The tribe Ruben refused the call. There was much second guessing in their ranks. They were victims of paralysis through analysis. Ruben was indecisive and did not share in the victory.

Gilead had chosen to remain on the other side of the Jordan when Joshua went in to take the country but they were required to help in the conquest on the other side of the Jordan (Joshua 1:12–15). The years had passed and because of the natural barrier between them, (the Jordan River) fellowship seemed to have grown cold. They refused the call.

Dan did not have the overcoming faith to take the land that God had promised. The Amorites had driven Dan into the mountain country. Their faith was weak and they missed the blessing.

Asher lived by the coast and worked with commerce, boats, trade. The enemies of Barak and Deborah were their customers. When God had called him to battle he stayed and did “business as usual.” They had no vision for the work of the Lord.

The harshest words were against Meroz: “'Curse Meroz,' said the angel of the LORD. 'Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.'” (Judges 5:23)

Failure to participate is considered an abomination. God expects His people to become involved in his work. Non-involvement is unacceptable.

There is praise for those respond: “Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.” (Judges 5:2)

An important theme in Deborah's song of Victory is the willingness of the leaders and people. They did not hesitate as the others did. Zebulun and Napthali will always be remembered as the tribes that risked their lives for God.

God uses those who respond. God will only use a person to the extent of their surrender but God will get his work accomplished.

Are you a refuser or a responder? Will you be indecisive? Uncaring? Unfaithful? Too busy? Will the kingdom advance in your presence while you miss the blessing?

When the princes in Israel take the lead,

when the people willingly offer themselves

praise the LORD!

Judges 5:2

The Bee* That Stung a King

Judges 4

Deborah was a prophet and judge who inspired Israel to defeat a powerful army.

Deborah was a woman of character.

Character describes the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. When people looked at Deborah, they saw a leader standing firm in the Lord. Deborah did not become a respected leader overnight. Character is built over time through consistent behavior. Helen Keller said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened.”

We can be sure Deborah was wise and fair. Israelites would travel to where Deborah held court so she could settle their disputes (Judges 4:5). She was like Judge Judy.

Deborah was an exceptional person but there was more to her leadership than her special talents. What really made Deborah special was her closeness to the Lord. God spoke to this woman and she listened. God spoke through her and the people listened. It was Deborah’s special relationship with God that was recognized by all the people, and that won her their respect.

One element of good character is trustworthiness. This includes honesty and reliability. Always do what you say you'll do and avoid deception.

Another element is respect. Those who treat others with respect usually are respected. Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements. Perhaps, all that needs to be said is to follow the Golden Rule.

Deborah was a woman of confidence.

Her confidence came from her faith in God. Sisera, the leader of the enemy's army, had 900 iron chariots and many thousands of skilled soldiers. They greatly outnumbered Israel. She understood that it is in impossible situations that God's strength is most visible. The Bible tells us, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

There was never any doubt in Deborah's mind that God would do as HE said.

What impossible situation are you facing: debt, poor health, broken relationships? God is greater than all these things. The Bible says: “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

*Deborah means honey bee.

Shamgar's Three Steps to Victory

Judges 3:31

Shamgar's story is brief – one verse – but that's all he needs to teach us that God's champions start where they are, use what they have and do what they can.

Shamgar started where he was.

He was a farmer, not a soldier. He wasn’t even armed properly. These were a difficult days for Israel. They were, once again, under the thumb of another nation. The streets were abandoned and village life ceased. (Judges 5:6)

These desperate circumstances motivated Shamgar to act even though his people had no weapons. (Judges 5:8) He didn’t wait for better circumstances or greater resources to act. He started where he was.

Shamgar used what he had.

An oxgoad is a farm tool. It was a stick with a metal point on one end to keep the oxen moving and a paddle on the other end to clean debris from the plow.

We don’t need a lot of things that we think we need in to be successful. You may be lacking money, education, health, skill or opportunity but you can start where you are and use what you have. Put God first in your life and all the rest will be added.

Instead of focusing on what he lacked, Shamgar used what he had.

Shamgar did what he could.

He was not a ruler. He did lead an army. He was a local hero and an extraordinary warrior. The 600 Philistines he killed with his oxgoad would not have freed Israel but it was a significant contribution.

The Kingdom of God is seen in countless small acts. Jesus taught us that even a cup of cold water given in His name is significant. (Mark 9:41)

Because Shamgar did what he could, "He too saved Israel."

God's Champions Overcome Their Weakness and Seize the Day

Judges 3:12-30

What some may view as a handicap can become a strength in God's hands. In fact, God’s ability to use us should raise our expectations.  

 

Ehud was unable to use his right hand. So, he could not be a soldier and would not be seen as a threat by the Moabite warlord Eglon. Eglon (who was the original Jabba the Hutt) had taken over Israel.

Although, he was disabled, Ehud creatively used what God had given him. He would be the one bringing the required payment of protection money to Eglon, so he made a dagger that would be concealed on his right thigh. He knew they would not search a cripple very closely. He would get Eglon alone, kill him and escape before his guards could react.

Ehud could have dwelt on his disability and doubted his value to God. He could have passed on the opportunity of taking the tribute to Eglon. Instead, he trusted God and seized the opportunity.

Two shoe salesmen were sent to Africa during the early 20th Century. One sent a telegram home that said: “Get me home. Nobody here has shoes.”

The other’s telegram said: “Send me all of the shoes you can. Nobody here has shoes.”

No matter how weak or limited we might feel, we are capable of great things for God. What brings victory in our lives, allows us to serve and be used by God, is neither our own strength nor our list of credentials. It is our faith in God through Christ.

You can be a spiritual champion like Ehud if you are ready to act when God presents an opportunity, even if you have to act alone. Someone has to be first.

You have to be courageous. Ehud was willing to do a scary thing. God's will can take us out of our comfort zone and turn our weakness into strength.

You have to be a leader: Victory was not complete until Ehud got others involved. He rallied his countrymen and completed the defeat of the Moabites.

Be a spiritual champion in your generation.

We Need a Hero Today

Judges 3:7-11

During a time when Israel was oppressed by a thug whose name meant “double wicked darkness,” God sent a hero to deliver them.

This hero, Othniel, had a solid pedigree. His relative, Caleb, was one of 12 spies sent by Moses into the Promised Land. Ten of the spies were afraid but "Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, 'We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it'" (Numbers 13:30).

However, it was the Spirit of God that brought Othniel's victory rather than his DNA or military prowess. He was one of only 18 individuals in the Old Testament who had the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit came on Othniel, he conquered the enemy. When the Spirit came on the apostles at Pentecost, they turned the world upside down.

Today, this Holy Spirit filling is promised to every believer. Paul told us to be "filled with the Spirit," (Ephesians 5:18).

The Holy Spirit give us power to conquer any enemy. The Holy Spirit equips us for spiritual battle against relationship problems, addictions and the temptations that afflict us. The Holy Spirit allows God to use us in ways that we can hardly imagine.

We need heroes like Othneil today in our churches and our communities around the world. Christians are oppressed in Iraq and other countries; people oppress each other in our own nation. While, we do not need to be delivered from the King of Mesopotamia, we have our own “double wicked darkness” to contend with.

Sin is at the heart of suffering and oppression and the Holy Spirit is the cure. You can be a hero to someone by showing them God's love in your word's and actions.

Doing Your Own Thing

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

Judges 17:6

The generation that followed Joshua did not set out to do evil. They did not think they were doing wrong. Rather, “they did what was right in their own eyes.”

That's the problem with sin; the sinner feels justified. Like the people in the book of Judges, they compromise with the world around them. They create their own religion keeping what they like about Christianity, dumping what they don't, and adding elements that feel right.

Part of the problem is second-generation syndrome. “After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10

Previous generations did the hard work. Moses' generation endured the slavery in Egypt. They saw the Red Sea part and Pharaoh's army drown. They enjoyed God's provision in the wilderness.

Joshua's generation conquered the land. They saw the walls of Jericho collapse. They saw their enemies fall before them. They took the land, city by city, mountain by mountain.

On the other hand, the Judges generation entered into rest and comfort provided by their ancestors. Joshua told them, “I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.” Joshua 24:13

He admonished them further, “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14

The people said Amen but failed to honor a God they did not know. They married outside the faith and failed to take down the pagan altars. They kept the holy days and cultural artifacts of the faith but not the faith itself.

You cannot inherit faith from your parents. Each of us is called to account. Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except by me.” John 14:6

It is easy for those who have grown around the faith to fake it. They talk about being blessed and pray for things they want. They may, even, attend worship with some regularity but their walk is inconsistent. Like the Israelites in Judges they sin, feel sorry for awhile, then sin again.

There is good news: “To all who did receive [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

God responds when his people pray.

The book of Judges describes a repeating cycle where Israel becomes disobedient to God resulting in terrible consequences for their nation. When they realized the consequences of their sin, they cried out to God for salvation. God would raise up a champion who delivers God’s justice to Israel’s oppressors and brought revival to the nation. This cycle is repeated seven times in Judges.

This lesson can be applied to our own spiritual lives. The Bible teaches that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 KJV)

Can we wear out God’s patience? When Peter asked if we should forgive a person who has wronged us seven times (Peter believed he was being generous), Jesus said that the number was seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22).

This lesson is also seen repeated in history. By the 1500’s the church is being led by corrupt leaders. Worship is dead and the people are superstitious and fearful. Martin Luther and other preachers lead a great revival of Bible teaching. The Bible was put in the hands of the people and the church was reformed.

In England, John Wesley preaches in the streets and starts small groups in response to the Anglican Church’s lack of concern for the soul’s of the poor in England. Revival spreads across England and prevents a bloody revolution like the one in France.

In 18th Century America, it was said that worship waned and immorality flourished. Thomas Jefferson and other influential thinkers believed that rationalism left no room for orthodox Christianity. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall stated, "The church is too far gone ever to be redeemed." In 1794 churches set aside the first Monday of every month to pray for revival. By 1803, the Methodist church grew from 2700 to 12,000 and 10,000 people joined the Baptist Church. The American Bible Society and the American Sunday School Union were organized in the decade to follow.

God has also raised up champions such as John Wycliffe, who translated the Bible into English in the 1300’s, William Wilberforce, who labored to abolish slavery in England, and William Carey, who started the modern missionary movement. He continues to raise champions in our time. There is Martin Luther King, Jr., who led the civil rights movement, and Mother Teresa, who ministered to dying outcasts in India.

Disobedience is the natural tendency of humanity and results in defeat and judgment by God, however, God is patient and faithful His people and responds when we call upon Him in repentance.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)