Have you ever had that dream where you are being chased by a monster? Not just any dime-store monster, but a big, ugly, stinky monster, worse than anything Frodo and Sam ever faced. You know the dream I’m talking about. You try to run, but your feet won’t move. And just when it is about to eat you, the alarm rings. Heart pounding, palms sweating, you pull yourself out of bed thankful it was just a dream.
The monsters that chase ministers in dreams can do no harm, save stealing a little sleep.  The monsters that chase believers in real time are deadly, especially the dreaded “three-eyed monster.”

When I first came to the Philippines in 1984, I sought out some of the most prominent ministers in the nation to ask how they built such huge ministries. Several were gracious enough to entertain a twenty-four-year old upstart. I learned much from those men of God. However, I am saddened to realize some are no longer in the ministry. In the years I have been here, I have seen too many pastors, ministers, and leaders quit because of discouragement. Others have disqualified themselves because of financial impropriety or moral failure.

Many of those who are no longer running the race were destroyed by the three-eyed monster. This monster is lurking around every corner, trying to destroy spiritual leaders. Here is a three-word description of this insidious destroyer of leaders:

Insecurity. Obsession with titles, position, numbers, and labels is a sign that the monster of insecurity is in the house. If we are secure in God and in our calling, why exaggerate the size of our church? Why insist on titles? Why stretch a testimony? Why refuse to admit mistakes? Insecurity opens the door to the next eye.

Independence. It takes a secure leader to walk in submission to a team of leaders. Living independent of strong leaders who challenge us or disagree with us is easy. Exchanging independence for spiritual family is hard. Anyone can be autonomous. It takes a leader with strong character to maintain long-term relationships. Independence, isolation, and autonomy are favorite tools of our three-eyed enemy.

Immorality. On the surface, this seems to be the main monster that takes so many leaders down, but in reality, it has little power over people who are secure enough to walk in team ministry. Leaders who gain victory over the first two “eyes” (insecurity and independence) have leverage in fighting off the third eye of immorality. Why? Because they are dependent, not independent, they are surrounded with godly people who will speak the truth in love. And, they are secure enough to listen when someone close is saying exactly what they do not want to hear.

Several years ago on New Years Eve, my wife suggested that our family should write our top ten list of things we are thankful for during the past twelve months. One of the first words I wrote on my paper was “friends”—real friends who stick closer than a brother, who speak the truth in love, who are born for adversity, who are never jealous when I am blessed, and who never reject me when I mess up. In this age of disposable relationships, I am thankful that God has given me life-long friends and ministry partners, friends who have helped me fight and defeat the deadly three-eyed monster that has destroyed so many leaders.