The "Saul Syndrome"

Perhaps you’ve heard the story,

"As David was returning from killing the Philistine, the women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing with tambourines, with shouts of joy, and with three-stringed instruments. As they celebrated, the women sang:

Saul has killed his thousands,

but David his tens of thousands.

Saul was furious and resented this song. "They credited tens of thousands to David," he complained, "but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?" So Saul watched David jealously from that day forward." (1 Samuel 18:6-9, Christian Standard Bible®)

As we continue to follow the story, we find that Saul’s jealously only grows, repeatedly causing him to seek to kill David.  He becomes like a mad-man driven by his jealously and fears.

I wish this was only an Old Testament story.  But, it’s not.  It’s a ministry story.  In my years of ministry, I’ve seen pastors so overcome with fears, insecurities, and jealousies of their own staff that they too often begin to attack in subtle, and not so subtle ways.  Their insecurities lead them to become passive-aggressive and spend their time trying to overcome their “competitor” rather than being who God has made them!  They begin to make rash, unfounded decisions and the ministry they once enjoyed begins to unravel because of their jealousies.  And the cycle begins—leading them deeper and deeper into destruction for themselves and the church.

Are you a Saul?  “Of course not!” is your first response.  But, let me ask you (me) some questions.  When others praise your staff member, do you join in the praise or is there secretly a burning within?  When the Body begins to follow his leadership and the numbers grow, does that bother you or do you rejoice in what God is doing?  Do you share your stage and spotlight, or do you take it away when he gets too many followers or too much attention?  Do you deeply value and appreciate his gifts, or resent and fight against them?

Where does this come from?  In me, it comes from pride and insecurities (which are only evidence of my pride).  I know that it is pride when I have to:

·        Somehow weave into my conversation my title or role so that people can be impressed

·        Be the focus of attention when I walk into a room or enter a conversation

·        Somehow “let it be known” how hard or low long I’ve worked and how much I’ve accomplished

·        Weave myself and my successes into sermons, counseling, and conversations

·        Constantly live in “competition” with the one God has placed in my life

You get the idea… 

What do we do if we suddenly see the “Saul Syndrome” in us?  We cry out as David did in Psalm 51:1-4, 10, 17:

"Have mercy upon me, O God,

According to Your lovingkindness;

According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,

Blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,

And my sin is always before me.

Against You, You only, have I sinned,

And done this evil in Your sight — …

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me…

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,

A broken and a contrite heart —

These, O God, You will not despise."          (NKJV)

Only in brokenness and honest confession can God make us whole again; only then will we know His security and His acceptance of us!  We will no longer be a “jealous Saul.”

Finally, what if you’re “David” in this syndrome?  The Scripture tells us that David twice had the chance to kill Saul, but he did not (1 Samuel 24 & 26).  He could not because he knew Saul was the Lord’s anointed. He knew that this sin would be greater than the sin being shown against him!  In fact, David’s refusal was the very thing that spoke to Saul’s heart as he said, “And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king…” (1 Sam. 24:20, NKJV).  David’s righteous behavior assured Saul and the people of Israel and Judah that he was the true king and in time he would take his rightful rule.  So, first we have to refuse to fight back in the flesh; we have to refuse to become like the one attacking us.  Second, we have to trust God to carry out His plan and do His work.  In time (His time), truth will come out and God will place us where He wants us!