Matthew 7:15-20 (MSG)
"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
How often do we follow a leader that we say/think has "charisma"? Often it's just a show and not really anything worth hearing or following. Eventually we find these people were just interested in our money and only using us for their personal gain and fame. No wonder people get disinterested in God/church/etc... His quote... "representatives"... are filled with empty words.
What if we reframe the word "charisma" in our mind by remembering it's true meaning? What if the person we follow was filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in love, truth, and GRACE? A true representative of God who was genuinely interested in us and our spiritual well-being? Sounds like our Lord, Jesus, right? He was a TRUE charismatic leader... but not like the "world" views charisma. Just look at His following... people came to hear Him, touch Him, and just be in His presence. He wasn't showy or filled with empty words... He fulfilled the Word! He was and is Truth! He was and is Grace!
Let's start following Jesus-like leaders. Not the kind that give us a "good show" on Sunday morning but rather those whose words are filled with GRACE... you know... True Charisma!
P.S... Just because we are not preachers doesn't mean we are off the hook! ALL followers of Christ should have "charisma" (grace-filled) speech when in communication with others.
