1. PITFALL: Falling in love with the present world.

"For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica." (2 Timothy 4:10)

What is it about the world that leaders in particular are tempted to love? The answer of Jesus is clear:

Acclaim and Prestige
"Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and love salutations in the market places and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts." (Luke 20:46)

Riches and Pleasures
". . .but as they go their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature" (Luke 8:14).
Successful leadership generally exposes a person more and more to the alluring forces of prestige and makes an array of worldly pleasures more and more accessible (because of travel, higher salary, wider circulation, etc.).

PROTECTION: Think long and hard about the deadly poison of world-love.

"If any one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. . . The world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever." (1 John 2:15,17)

"Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4)

. . .and ponder the never-ending delights of the mountain spring of God's approval and fellowship and beauty.

"Thou hast put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound." (Psalm 4:7)

"Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is nothing on earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever." (Psalm 73:25-26)

The spell of sin's fascination is broken by the superior pleasures of the presence of God.

From desiringgod.org

A reminder for me... A timely reminder..