Last week I wrote about how we all have superpowers. All of us who have been saved by God’s grace have been powerfully gifted by the Holy Spirit. That’s an amazing gift, and a great responsibility. But if I’ve learned anything from watching superhero movies its that superheros seem to always have a weakness. Superman has kryptonite, Ironman is limited by technology, the Hulk struggles to control his power, Dr. Strange has great hubris, and white noise severely effects Daredevil. While our weaknesses may be a little different, the reality is that we all have krytonites in our lives. We are all have things that tempt us into sin, draw us away from God, and keep us from being the masterpiece God has created us to be.
I have seen way to many great men of God have their lives and ministries torn apart because they gave into their kryptonite. I had a conversation with my supervisor this week over whether or not we could use a certain book for pastoral leadership training. Its a fantastic book that we’ve seen bless many pastors before. However, since the last time we used it the author has been gripped in a scandal of their own doing. This Christian leader gave into their kryptonite, lost their ministry, and perhaps has lost the opportunity to bless thousands of others. We could argue whether or not its right to have a great career destroyed by one sin, but the reality is that’s how many people see it. I’ve seen this on a smaller scale before too. I once had a recovering addict in my church that was doing a fantastic job or reaching other addicts. On most Sundays there were two rows filled of his previously un-churched friends, and he even helped start an addiction ministry in our community. Unfortunately, he fell back into his addiction, his friends stop coming, and the ministry eventually fell by the wayside.
The number one way to deal with the kryptonites in your life is to identify them and to make a plan to resist them. Kryptonites are those things that tempt you into sinning and/or not living the life God has created you to live. For many men the list includes lust, greed, pride, entitlement, and selfishness. I can’t count the number of marriages that have been destroyed by lust. I also can’t count the number of bad decisions I’ve seen people make because of their pride or greed. Once you have identified your kryptonites the Bible gives us a number of ways to guard against them.
- Be Careful and Pray: Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38
- Endure Temptation with God’s help: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised. James 1:12
- Pursue Righteousness: So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. 2 Timothy 2:22
