Day 69: 2 Thessalonians 3:2

“and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.”



Not all have faith. We should know this, but the way we act betrays us. Why are we shocked when people do evil, wicked things? Why are we surprised when people hurt us, or mock us, or do anything bad?


Why are we even surprised when believers do dumb things?


Paul says it very clearly: “For not all have faith.”


If you’re going to be a Christian leader, one thing you will have to do is get used to the fact that unbelievers act like unbelievers. They don’t hold the same values as you and me, and they don’t think the same way as you and me. They don’t have the Holy Spirit to guide them, and they haven’t given their lives to Christ. In effect, they are still playing for the other team.


Getting mad or being shocked by the behaviors of an unbeliever isn’t something you want to do. You’ll be mad and shocked all the time. Instead, understand why people act the way they do, and remember that sin is real, and the hold of sin over people’s lives is real. Pray for people. Work with them. Love on them.


Look at the first part of this prayer. Paul is praying that we be delivered from wicked and evil people. This is the other thing about people who don’t have faith. Many times they will try to bring the faithful down. Throughout history, Christians have been the target of persecution all over the world. Sometimes the persecution is light, and sometimes it leads to death.


A Christian leader has to deal with those that don’t believe in Christ. It’s our job. We are to love and share the gospel with them. We are to heal the sick, care for the poor, and help those that are helpless. We don’t always get thanked for our efforts. Sometimes we get spit on. Sometimes we get killed.


Christian Leadership Principle: A Christian leader understands that unbelievers don’t act like believers. They understand that people who under bondage to sin will act like it. We love them anyway. We also pray to be delivered from those who seek to hurt us, all the while loving those very people and sharing the gospel with them.


Here’s a set of verses to meditate on today: Romans 12:9-21


Prayer: Father, give me understanding. Help me to see people as You see them. Help me to understand when people do bad and harmful things, and save us from evil and wicked people. In Christ’s name, amen.