不叫我們遇見試探

It seems to happen so often these days, we hardly flinch: A prominent leader – a politician, business executive, celebrated sports figure, even a member of the clergy – committing some major ethical breach or being caught up in serious scandal. When we hear or hear about it, we just shrug our shoulders. So what else is new?

What a sad commentary this is, however, on the world in which we live. Throughout the ages, without question, highly recognized and powerful leaders have fallen from positions of great influence to the depths of immense failure. But should this be accepted as the norm? Are we to assume a universal application of the adage, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”?

Nobody is perfect, we argue. Or we use the “We are only human” defense. Although both statements hold a measure of truth, they do not excuse unethical or immoral behavior. The fact that such failures are still “news” underscores the reality that adherence to high ethical standards and moral values is still what we expect from our leaders, whether those in government, small business owners, or CEOs of huge monolithic corporations.

The greater issue, however, is not how to convince leaders we will never meet to live according to higher ethical and moral requirements. The issue involves you and me: How can we consistently abide by what we know is right and wrong – to be leaders worthy of following in our own homes, workplaces and communities?

In reading the timeless “business manual” better known as the Bible, we see an honest assessment of the human condition: “There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). But that statement is not offered as justification for a lack of integrity or refusal to follow commonly accepted moral guidelines. Instead, the Scriptures provide warnings and suggestions for attaining – and maintaining – a higher standard of behavior:

No one is immune. Years ago I heard about the head of a major non-profit organization who had declared, “The one area where I will never fail is that of relationships.” A few years later he was discovered in an adulterous affair with his administrative assistant. That is why the Bible warns, “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Beware when things are going well. We can be most vulnerable to temptation when things are going well, when we feel that we have everything under control. At such times we tend to rely on our self-sufficiency and can forget about dependence on God. “Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved…”” (Psalm 30:6).

We all have an escape. “I couldn”t help it” is a poor excuse if we yield to temptation and fall into ethical or moral failure. The temptation might seem too great to resist, but if we look to God, He will enable us to avoid taking temptation to the next step – sin. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Everyone needs help. “I”m too weak; I cannot resist the temptation.” That might be true, but if we believe the Bible, it assures us we can receive the strength of Jesus Christ to do what we cannot do on our own. “…For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). “I can do everything through (Christ) who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran journalist for more than 39 years, he is the author of Tufting Legacies; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace (River City Press); and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring (NavPress). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or his blog, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.