Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Philippians 1:15-18
Paul while in prison is writing the ekklesia in Philippi where his first convert was made by the name of Lydia who had a thriving business dying cloth purple. The Way (what the fledgling Christian believers were called in the first century) community in Philippi was very close to Paul’s heart. The above passage of Paul’s letter describes the type of preachers / teachers who claimed to be ‘spiritual leaders’ at THAT time. Why would spiritual leaders preach Christ out of selfish ambition and envy? Why would rivalries be a part of The Way at that time? Because these “preachers” are preaching our of their ‘natural’ selves (their flesh nature) rather than from inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Yet …Paul still rejoices that Christ is being preached. If it didn’t make any difference — why would Paul mention it in the first place?
Because the Philippi community was discerning and mature enough to be able to ‘test’ traveling ‘preachers’ to learn their motivation for preaching. There was a group that were jealous of Paul’s ministry and influence and were envious of Paul, and were trying to usurp part of that influence and popularity. Human’s since the ‘fall’ have a ‘flesh’ nature that doesn’t produce God’s spiritual purpose. All manner of evil can be produced from the flesh nature. I suggest you dig into Galatians 5:16-21 and look at a list of ‘desires of the flesh’ that Paul highlights. These things also infiltrate our spiritual leadership and must be ‘called’ out.
Why would these things be kept hidden from the Body of Christ in it’s leaders? What kinds of systems are there to keep these things hidden and why? All one has to do is follow the money trail. These human motivations and desires still exist today within the religious systems especially among the ‘clergy’ (the professional paid minister) within those institutions. Paul wants his friends to be aware that not every ‘preacher’ of Christ has good intentions or the right motivations. Extrapolate now in your mind and ponder the situation with the internet and all the voices somehow now ‘preaching’ Christ. How are you able to discern whom to listen to? How can you know what their motivations are? How can you tell if they are actually speaking Truth?
Two filters must be engaged for you to know what is the actual the Truth of things . 1. The Word of God. And … 2. The Holy Spirit. And it’s impossible to really know and understand number 1 without number 2. The Holy Spirit within you can help you discern the Truth of things. But that takes real relationship with Him — not formulas, and ‘book learning’. Just like getting to know your husband or wife. Do your read books to know him or her? Maybe if they had written an autobiography before they knew you — it might be of some help, but for the most part you just have to spend lots of time with them. Would you refer to their autobiography when trying to understand them in a current situation? Or would you just ask them?
This is why it is SO important to really know your ‘so called’ spiritual leaders. They must be willing to be very vulnerable and transparent with you individually / personally. Most of the religious systems today keep the spiritual leaders far from their own that they are suppose to be leading. Many spiritual leaders are told not to engage in close intimate friendships within their own congregations. They are somehow to be ‘above’ them. If I read in the scriptures about the Kingdom of God correctly — that kind of behavior is the exact opposite the Kingdom of God espouses. The ones who want to ‘lead’ should be the lowest and servant of all those they are attempting to lead. That should mean the most vulnerability and transparency on the highest level — to the ENTIRE congregation or community they are attempting to lead. They should be the most intimate ‘friend’ to ALL members, not just a ‘few’. But this presents some issues for the system that likes very large congregations as you well know.
Lately I’ve seen a growing number of spiritual leaders having their past sins ‘exposed’ that were never revealed before. Again the need for transparency and vulnerability is being highlighted. If they had been revealed before and everyone knew about the ‘sins’ and the genuine repentance of the leader — then the situation wouldn’t be a ‘situation’.
Bottom line? Personally know those you are allowing yourself to be spiritually taught by on a regular basis. BE in relationship WITH them. Spend time away from the ‘Church’ setting with them. Know them in their home. Know their family. Real long term relationship reveals the fruit of the individual.