My Confession: Being Bossy
I Corinthians 10:12; I Peter 5:3
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
This morning, my heart is indicting me. My friend,
God has convicted me of the spirit of bossiness. It
is so ugly.
A “boss” (the negative sense of the word), is
“controlling, domineering, imperious, and
dictatorial.” God exposed that trait in me in 2001,
and it has shown up again, here in 2004. I wasn’t
watching myself – I was watching others, and it
slipped in.
Shame, shame. . .
Why am I sharing this with you? The Bible says our
God will not despise a broken and a contrite heart,
and my spirit is broken. That startling revelation
broke that “rod of bossiness” when the Light of the
Word shined upon it.
I thought it was others who were acting strangely, but
I was the one - lording over those very dear ones who
worship, study and pray with me in the church and
bible class. A “lord” feels superior. A “lord”
treats others as if they are subjects. A “lord”
oppresses others who often feel uncomfortable in that
one’s presence.
Bossy people order people about, and speak roughly.
They become unfeeling, if they continue in this
manner. They think they’re fine, as I did. They note
that others are backing off from them, and they
believe the fault is in that person, but let me tell
you that the fault is in people like me. Who wants to
be in the same room, sharing the same space, with
someone who makes them feel weak and inferior?
A little importance and prestige is leaven, my friend,
and I can tell you that pride is that fox that always
seems to be nibbling at my vine.
Sister and Brother - will you forgive me for my
imperious manner in these writings, as I’ve shared the
“Thoughts of the Day?” It had to be apparent, for
pride doesn’t do anything “in a corner”. When you
think it’s covered, its feet are sticking out. It is
cunning and treacherous to the believer.
God is so forgiving, especially when His Word convicts
and convinces us of our sin. Lording over others is
satan’s handiwork – the work of pride, the work of
domineering and arrogant spirits. Satan is the King of
pride over the children of pride. Oh – it’s such a
terrible thing to realize that you’ve been operating
in the realm of the enemy!
Oh God, dear Jesus – help me overcome this ugly bossy
way! Show me how to walk in love – and shun the very
appearance of being superior in my manner.
Don’t be bossy, like I was. Be subject, yea, all of
you, to everyone you meet. Be understanding, and easy
to approach. Bossy people tend to be opinionated
also.
God gives His children His precepts – not His opinions
– and they are rooted and grounded in love. We don’t
have opinions – we have the mind of Christ. That mind
of Christ doesn’t seek to make a reputation for
itself. Being bossy won’t let us be servants of God.
When you are bossy, you think others should submit to
your thoughts, your ideas, and your tenets. . It is
the will of God that we acknowledge our faults before
the Body of Christ, that others won’t err. You’re the
member of the Body of Christ as I am, and if I’m
spiritually weak through this bossy spirit, it will
affect you too.
I earnestly pray that none of this evil manner has
spoiled or corrupted your pure mind.
Oh, God, heal me – and heal your Body.
Was it not Job who said, “No doubt but ye are the
people, and wisdom shall die with you,” to those
miserable comforters who found fault with him, in his
time of tribulation? Instead of commiserating with
him, they plied him with questions, and condemned him.
That was me, my friend, and I ask you to forgive me
for my unfeeling manner and tone of voice with you.
Pray for me, please. The Father is so loving. It’s
only His grace that enables me to write to you, even
now. I praise Him for the strength to show the
ugliness which once clothed my mind.
He saw that pride take me down, and it was His
nail-scarred hand that was offered to me last night,
as I heard that Word of conviction. I fell, and He
lifted me up. At first, I felt so ashamed, I could
hardly pray, but the light of Jesus shined into my
heart, enabling me to share with you this morning. It
feels good to confess my fault, because I want to
delight my Lord.
I love you, my friend, and I don’t want to hide
anything from you.
Wrong is wrong – period!
When the Word comes, my flesh has to go! The fight is
on!
It’s time to declare war against this bossy spirit,
and I’m enlisting right now.
Dear friend, don’t order your spouses, children or
coworkers about, as though you’re the invested one
with all the intellectual might and wisdom. Pride
will make a fool out of us, my friend, and God would
have it so. Doesn’t He hate a proud look? I don’t
want Him to look with grief and shame at the pride
that overtakes me, from time to time. Seek Him, as a
deer runs after the water brook, that you might humble
yourself at His feet and walk in the light with Him.
My heart is aching, in hopes that this testimony will
redound to the glory of God. Please pray for me and
for souls who love to order other people about. May
God have mercy on those who are domineering and
arrogant.
Thank you for your prayers, your love and your
respect. It’s the Lord, I know.
He’s faithful, and so are you. He forgives me, and I
ask your forgiveness too. He restores, my friend.
It’s great to be restored to wholeness.
Now the admonition for me, is to watch and pray lest I
enter again into this area of bossiness, which is
pride. That’s the devil’s territory, and I determine
to abide by the warning which says: Beware, lest
pride spoil you and rob you of the Fruit of the
Spirit. Pride is not after Christ.
“Where am I in my journey now?” you may ask.
I exchanged the white stallion, for the lowly ass –
the one my Lord and Savior sat upon, as He meekly rode
into Jerusalem.
Oh, how I am humbled, in my soul, this very day. Thank you Jesus!
