Weekly Newsletter 03/02/2023

Shalom!

Rockstar Syndrome is a condition whereby a person severely overestimates their personality and capabilities. This is when one expresses extreme self-centeredness and overemphasizes their achievements, all the while disregarding the needs of others. Oftentimes this is evident in a person when they elevate themselves above others and in everything try to show themselves off. Rockstar Syndrome manifests itself through many symptoms which help determine if a certain person has “caught” or “become ill” with this condition. Though there are many signs and symptoms of this condition, the purpose of this article is not to list all the possibilities, but rather to pay attention to one area of life where Christians often fall ill with this condition, namely, ministry.

Strange as it may seem, but it is precisely while serving, and receiving certain blessings and success, that there is a temptation to fall ill with Rockstar Syndrome. Using one person from the Old Testament as an example, I would like to draw attention to the most frequent symptom of this syndrome, what it looks like, and what this disorder can lead to. My goal is not to pointedly judge anyone, but for us as Christians in today’s world to learn to live a God-fearing life and not lose our blessings when we are serving in a particular ministry, especially if we experience success in that ministry.

The story of Gideon occupies the central part of the book of Judges. This is the judge who witnessed a turning point in the history of the judges of Israel. If you carefully look at the book of Judges, it will be obvious that out of the 13 judges mentioned, 7 are key. Gideon is the fourth of these seven key judges. This places him at the very center of Israel’s history during the rule of the judges. It is the description of Gideon’s life that is the turning point of the entire book. After Gideon, Israel tumbled down the slippery slope, landing into a pit of idolatry and immoral behavior. At the end, the book is accurately summed up with the words:

“In those days Israel had no king; each did what seemed right to him” (21:25).

Looking at the beginning of Gideon’s ministry, it is delightful to read of such radical and exemplary actions; in the beginning, Gideon destroys the altar of Baal in his city Ophrah (6:25-28). But his story ends with the fact that in the same city of Ophrah, he made an ephod,

“…and all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family” (8:27).

Why did Gideon return to the very thing that repulsed him in the beginning of his ministry? All that transpired between these two events will answer this question.

Gideon’s main ministry was the liberation of Israel from the oppression of the Midianites (6:33-7:25). This was the time when Gideon fought against the enemies of Israel, and God was with him. But in chapter 8 we see that the success of his company begins to harm Gideon; he begins to make decisions on his own, and we do not find any mention of God’s presence in this chapter. Chapter 8 describes how Gideon fights against his own people. This is a turning point both in the life of Gideon and in the development of the entire history of the Israelite people described in the book of Judges.

What happened? Gideon and his men pursued the Midianites and became tired while pursuing their enemies. Approaching the inhabitants of Succoth (these are brothers, the Israelites), he asked for bread for himself and the people with him (8:4-7). The people of Succoth and Penuel (8:8-9) refused to help Gideon. His harsh reaction revealed what was hidden in the depths of his heart. He promised to tear the bodies of the inhabitants of Succoth with wild thorns and briers, and to the inhabitants of Penuel, he promised to destroy their tower.

Gideon’s reaction shows how Rockstar Syndrome often manifests itself; a person serving and defending the truth and the people of God, internally believes that he deserves respect! “After all, I am in ministry,” he rationalizes, “and therefore I should receive at least some respect and reverence in return. People must confer with me, for I have devoted myself to such important things.” Gideon’s success harmed him. While fighting the enemies of his people, he begins to fight against his people as well. He punishes the elders of Succoth and destroys the tower of Penuel and kills the people of the city (8:16-17). Shortly thereafter, Gideon and the people return to idolatry (8:27).

Gideon’s Rockstar Syndrome teaches us, Christians, how and where we are susceptible to this condition. This condition does not come to those who sit idle. It is precisely those who are serving who can be affected by this condition. If you are in ministry, or are thinking of devoting yourself to ministry, be wise, and remember that people are frequently prone to develop Rockstar Syndrome while serving, especially if their ministry produces even the slightest success. The Apostle Paul spoke quite frankly about this:
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited” (2 Corinthians 12:7).

In the example of the Apostle Paul, we see that often in order to protect a person from this particular condition, God sends difficulties. Are there difficulties in your life? Praise God for them, because it is a possibility that through these difficulties, God seeks to prevent you from falling ill with Rockstar Syndrome so that you do not become conceited.

So if a person evaluates their life in the light of Scripture and finds symptoms of Rockstar Syndrome, what then? First, there should be repentance and humility before God.
 
“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? … Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you… Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you.” (James 4:1, 7, 10)
Second, we must follow Christ’s example of considering others higher than ourselves. This is the correct mindset in ministry. This means serving others without the expectation that you will be served in return.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

This article is a glimpse at the reality of life. Maybe this is something you have encountered or will encounter. In order to avoid Rockstar Syndrome, it is important to know how it develops and how to be cured of it. God’s grace is the healing elixir for all who are affected by this condition. Read James chapter 4 again and pay close attention to the true purpose of humility and repentance. By living a humble life, you can keep from becoming conceited. May the central purpose of your ministry be to worship God.

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