Pastors Don’t Do This 15: Become Pastor Pharisee (Part 14 – Be Jealous of Other Ministries)

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, you would think all the other preachers would be so happy. Something has happened that verifies their God, their view, their faith, their lives. But it did not make them happy because they were actually jealous of Jesus! Have a read of John 11.45-48 (NKJV):

⁴⁵ Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. ⁴⁶ But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. ⁴⁷ Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. ⁴⁸ If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

Can you imagine that? I can barely imagine that, but I have seen it before. I know pastors and preachers who cannot rejoice when we open another church, as it fires up their envy. It fires up their fear. Some people have a narrative that we cannot change the UK and when we take a step towards that, they are envious. They spread rumours, they try and derail other ministries, they gossip about things they know nothing about, and eventually get to verse 53: “they plotted to put Him to death”. I have not had people try and kill me yet, but I have certainly had small-minded Pharisees try and destroy my ministry and reputation through lying about me, assaulting my character, and telling others to stay away from me. What an ungodly thing to do! But it happens, because many care more about their own standing than the truth of God’s Word and the love of the Spirit of God.

Do not be that. Don’t be Peter saying I will happily die as long as John does too, be someone who is happy to die and rejoice that others live. When others increase, rejoice. When others are favoured, rejoice. I have reached the place where people who have persecuted me and get promoted, I still rejoice. Paul said he was just happy Christ is preached, and that is the place we all need to reach. Stop being envious of others, never ever be in the place where you wish another servant of God harm. That makes you a Pharisee not a pastor, and it is a huge mistake that will drive you into bad places.

Selah.