Perils Of Fame

O! You silver-tongued preacher of the cross, On whose ev'ry word the dewy-eyed drool;
Beware the pride that caused Arachne's loss,
Ego makes each of us but a slack-jawed fool!
She could weave like the gods, or so she thought,
Like you hold them spell-bound to edge of seat;
Better words even Christ could not have wrought,
Than wonders you spin on your platform feet!
Your tongue just forms the words He has you speak,
The crowd not drawn by you but pow'r of grace;
Your breath the wisp puffed by the Spirit's cheek;
The enchantment you weave the Son's embrace!
He is the artist; you're only the frame;
No one need know yours; all must know His name!

*Arachne's = egotistical Greek weaver

Pride is the source of most sin. The trait most needed by a believer in Christ is humility, and it is the most difficult trait to be learned. The apostles of Jesus, in learning how to win people, had more difficulty among themselves over which of them were going to be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven than any other issue. The mother of James and John went to Him one day, accompanied by her sons, and asked Jesus if He would grant her wish, that James sit on one side of Him in heaven, and John on the other. He anwered her very tactfully, saying that her request was not in His power to grant, but His Father's. However, He clearly taught them that the one who was least on the earth would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

In John 21 even Peter showed a bit of competitiveness when he asked Jesus, "What about him?" on the shore of Galilee after Christ's resurrection. The story had circulated among them that John was the favorite of Jesus, who had just told Peter he would be killed in the service of the Lord. They had gotten the idea from somewhere that John would escape death by the Second Coming of Jesus. Jesus answered by saying, "What is that to you?"

Some teachers of the gospel have extraordinary skills and acquire celebrity status. We might envy these gifted speakers; however, they are intensely tempted by Satan with pride; with lust; with greed; and all sorts of temptations that do not trouble less gifted Christians. When we hear of a great, well-known preacher's disgraceful behavior, it is nothing to rejoice over; their temptations have haunted them for many years. One of Satan's most despicable vilifications is dragging famous Christian leaders in the mud.