Apple-Cation Of Spiritual Leadership

The Adam’s Apple takes its name from a Jewish myth which states that God caused the forbidden apple to become lodged in Adam’s throat after swallowing. In reality, the Adam’s Apple is made up of the thyroid cartilage and is the same tissue that makes up your nose, ears, and windpipe (i.e., trachea). The voice box and windpipe have several kinds of cartilage, which work together to make sure your airways stay clear and that you’re able to speak.

Ironically enough, one of Adam’s biggest failures in the garden had to do with his speech— or lack of it. Adam should have spoken up when his wife first spoke with the serpent. He should have said something or perhaps even grabbed her hand and walked elsewhere as they headed towards the forbidden tree. He certainly should have spoken up when the serpent offered her the fruit. Genesis gives us a small detail that almost places the blame squarely on Adam. 

“She gave to her husband who was there with her…”  Genesis 3.6

Adam was there! So why didn’t he speak up? Today men can fall into this same sin of silence. Just because an argument could be made that Adam was setting the right example by not eating the fruit himself (at first), there’s more to spiritual leadership than simply not doing something wrong. Maybe Adam didn’t see any obligation to speak on behalf of Eve? Maybe he was convinced by the serpent himself. Either way the bottom line is this, a lack of spiritual leadership in our congregations and homes will lead to sin. If the serpent is allowed to speak to our families through music, media, or any other medium— the consequences are the same. There’s a fall. Spiritual leadership requires more from men than just avoiding sin ourselves, it must include actively guiding our families away from what’s forbidden. It demands our full time attention. 

Author: preacherpollard

preacher,Cumberland Trace church of Christ, Bowling Green, Kentucky View all posts by preacherpollard