Preventing an Ethical Blowout

Mike ShaubGrace 360 Conference

January 18, 2014

One Day You’re Cruising

The Next Your Life is on Fire

Goals of this WorkshopHelp you consider possible indicators of susceptibility

to an ethical blowout in your lifeRecognize that tendency in others so that you can

Help those who give you accessStay clear of the explosion for those who don’t

Develop strategies to reduce the possibility of an ethical blowout, always focused on dependence on Jesus Christ.

What is an Ethical Blowout?

A moral failure that is a one-time or short window event that changes the course of your life or ministry.

Not the collapse that inevitably comes from a life lived in rebellion to God over the long-term.

It is a sudden, cataclysmic failure, though the process may take months.

Classic Example: RehoboamListen, walk, doI Kings 11:3-6—why God had to use JeroboamI Kings 11:38—what God told Jeroboam to doI Kings 12:1-15 Rehoboam forsook wise counsel (v. 8), didn’t

listen (v. 15). Didn’t think long-term, but short-term Decided he would do it his own way, be

tougher than his father was

What is Going Through the Mind of a Person Before an Ethical Blowout?

Stop listening—suppress the truthThink short-termMake it work—getting by on your own devices,

self-sufficient

Stop Listening

Leaving home as a college student naturally means listening less to prior authority.

Truth suppression is the problem.Truth inserts itself in many ways when we rebel. Word of God Spirit of God Wise counsel

Truth Suppression

Romans 1:18-27 Suppress the truth in unrighteousness Profess to be wiseIsaiah 44:18-20 Worshipping things we make with our own

hands Ignoring obvious truth

Reckless

RecklessUtterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action

Without caution, careless“Reck”: to have care, concern or regard; to take heed

Allen Stanford Before

Telegraph.co.uk

Allen Stanford After

Time.com

Articles.businessinsider.com

Recklessness• After the fact, recklessness makes you

ask, “What was he thinking?”• Generally, the person bypasses the

controls designed to prevent the behavior.

• The person either doesn’t care or doesn’t listen. Others’ opinions are irrelevant.

• This is truth suppression.

Truth Invasion: Word of God

The first way truth inserts itself is through the Word of God.

John 17:17James 1:22-25 It’s a mirror. Listen and do.Hebrews 4:12

PiercingJudges the heart

Truth Invasion: Spirit of GodJohn 16:13-15 The Spirit won’t take you where you want

to go. The Spirit guides you into all the truth,

whether you like it or not. The Spirit discloses.The Spirit is full disclosure. We want to

cover up.

Truth Invasion: Wise CounselSpouse—Prov 19:14 (prudent wife), 31:10-11

(trustworthy)Friends—Prov 20:6 (trustworthy)Mentors—Heb 13:7 (considering the outcome of

their way of life, imitate their faith)Instead, we surround ourselves with “yes men.” With fellow false worshippers, who agree with

us (Romans 1) If you have power, with “you” worshippers. True with CEOs, football coaches, athletes

In Summary

The first thing that leads to an ethical blowout is truth suppression.

This means we stop listening to theWord of GodSpirit of GodWise counsel

Secondly, We Think Short-TermHabit of underthinking the implications—

Rehoboam (I Kings 12:7)Surprised at how things turn outTypical behaviors Pouting at setbacks or when others push back Rash decisions that bring regret In students, skipping class or assignments Ending friendships instead of apologizing

Third, We Make it WorkPsalm 81:8-12Listen: Walk in My ways.Don’t listen: Walk in their own devices.Self-sufficiency leads to the self-worship

and truth suppression that Paul describes in Romans 1:18-27.

“Walk in their own devices”We figure out what works and do it. Even if it’s cutting corners Even if it hurts others Even if it violates your faithWhat I see in students Sexual intimacy with others to fill emotional

needs Cheating Free riding on others’ work and taking credit Relying on connections rather than the hard work

that leads to competence

Coping Behaviors

Our “own devices” can often be behaviors to cope with sub-optimal circumstances.

Loneliness—drinking, partying, counterproductive sexual behaviors

Exclusion from the group—gossip Frustrated ambitions—outbursts of anger

So How Do I Prevent a Blowout?1. Listen and embrace truth. Gal 4:16—Have I therefore become your enemy by

telling you the truth? Hang around truth-tellers, even when they make you

uncomfortable. Develop truth habits.

Seek the truth in God’s Word.Listen to the Spirit of God in time alone with Him.

2. Think long-term.3. Connect with others.

• Tell yourself the truth as a habit, good or bad news.• Speak truth to others, but remember that the truth is

often the aroma of death to people.– II Cor 2:14-16

• Don’t shoot the wounded.– II Cor 4:3-4—satan blinds to truth– II Tim 2:23-26—prisoners of war

• Practice on believers before you go dumping on pre-Christians.– Eph 4:14-15—speak the truth in love

Strategies for Truth-Telling

Think Long-Term

Think Long-Term

Think Long-Term

Connect with OthersLack of communication and carelessness seem

to have been at the root of the Deepwater Horizon explosion.

If you live in isolation, you are very susceptible to an ethical blowout, no matter your spiritual history.

You need accountability, so hang around truth-tellers.

Beware the Enticement of SuccessProverbs 1:8-16 A habit of taking advantage of others Quick success, leaving victims in your wakeProverbs 1:24-28 There is a point where it’s too late to be wise. So be careful who you hang around.

“When your dread comes like a storm”

Time.com

Articles.businessinsider.com

Remember1. Listen and embrace truth.2. Think long-term.3. Connect with others.

Only daily dependence on God can deliver us from an ethical blowout.

But these habits help.