It is an honor to have you as a donor member! Share today. #17 NEHEMIAH | Brick Wall LeadershipDr. Stephen Phinney: True obedience is not just external compliance—it is internal surrender to a greater calling.
MOTIVATING PASSIVE FOLLOWERSNavigating the challenge of motivating passive-resistant followers has been a constant test of patience, discernment, and trust in Yeshua’s ability to motivate others. Despite pouring out truth, encouragement, and direction, their reluctance to engage or step forward often feels like pushing against an unseen brick wall.At times, it seems as if fear, complacency, or past wounds perpetrated by leaders keep them locked in hesitation, resisting the call to grow, to act, to surrender fully to the indwelling life of Yeshua. Yet, even in this struggle, I am reminded that it is not by my strength, but by His Spirit that hearts are stirred and minds are transformed. The challenge isn’t to force movement—it’s to faithfully plant seeds, trust in His timing, and continue leading with unwavering love and conviction. Listen to the podcast version: Sponsored by Jewish Voice. LEADING THE PASSIVE RESISTANTNehemiah faced immense challenges in motivating passive-resistant followers as he led the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. Despite the urgency of restoring the city, many of the people hesitated—burdened by fear, discouragement, and external opposition from surrounding enemies. Some resisted due to complacency, overwhelmed by the ruins, while others doubted that the task could be accomplished, let alone in 52 days. Yet, Nehemiah did not waver; he called the people to rise in faith, reminding them that the work was not just about bricks and mortar, but about restoring God's purpose and protecting His people. Through prayer, perseverance, and bold leadership, he inspired them to press forward, teaching that the strength to rebuild came not from human effort alone, but from trust in the Lord's provision. His ability to overcome resistance proved that when God's people move in unity and obedience, even the most daunting tasks can be fulfilled. Yet, he found himself preaching to a brick wall of passive-aggressive men! When the men under Nehemiah’s leadership refused to heed his words, God used the very threat of the enemy to awaken their urgency and commitment to the work. As opposition mounted—from mockery to direct attacks—the people could no longer ignore the reality of their vulnerability. The fear of being overtaken forced them to recognize that the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls was not merely a task, but a matter of survival and divine calling. Nehemiah, discerning God’s hand in the circumstances, instructed the men to work with one hand and keep their weapons in the other, reminding them that their strength was not in stone and mortar, but in the Lord who fights for them. Through this heightened danger, their passive resistance was shattered, replaced by a newfound determination to stand, build, and defend what God had entrusted to them. Their motivation, once lacking, was forged in the fire of adversity—turning hesitation into action, and doubt into faith. MEN OF OUR PRESENT GENERATIONJust as in the days of Nehemiah, the men of our present generation exhibit a troubling passive resistance to the call of leadership, responsibility, and spiritual urgency—but perhaps in an even deeper, more concerning way. Nehemiah faced hesitation and apathy as he rallied the people to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, yet at least their resistance was born from external fear and visible enemies. Today, the resistance is often internal, shaped by distractions, complacency, and a culture that discourages bold, Christ-centered action. Many men shrink back from spiritual leadership, settling for mediocrity instead of answering the call to build, protect, and stand firm in faith. Unlike the men of Nehemiah’s time, who eventually rallied when the enemy’s threat became undeniable, many men today fail to recognize the spiritual battle waging around them. Instead of fighting for their families, communities, and faith, they remain passive in a world that desperately needs strong, unwavering leaders. The enemy is no longer just outside the walls—it has infiltrated hearts, homes, and minds. Yet the call remains: Rise up. Fight. Build. Lead. Nehemiah understood that victory was not in human effort alone, but in faithful obedience to God. That same call echoes today—who will listen, and who will remain resistant until the walls crumble entirely? Many men present a facade of obedience, nodding in agreement, following instructions, and outwardly conforming to expectations. Yet behind the walls of their minds, a silent rebellion brews—a deep-seated resistance to being told what to do. They listen, but they do not truly hear. They comply, but they do not fully commit. This quiet defiance is not always blatant, nor does it always manifest in outward rebellion. Instead, with a smile on their faces, it exists in the guarded spaces of their thoughts, where personal willpower clashes with God ordained submission. They may respect leadership, acknowledge wisdom, and even minimally engage in the mission, yet in their private reasoning, they decide how much they will truly surrender. True obedience is not just external compliance—it is internal surrender to a greater calling.Until the walls of self-will are broken, true transformation cannot take place. So, what does God do about this passive resistance?Romans 1:24 (ESV): "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves." When God hands a so-called leader over to the lusts of their heart, it is not merely a personal downfall—it is a complete collapse of everything they sought to build. Without the restraint of His guiding hand, their desires spiral into self-indulgence, deception, and reckless ambition, ironically calling their decisions Godly. Male “Christian” pride is the greatest deception of humanity!Pride replaces humility, corruption overtakes righteousness, deluding itself into self-righteousness, and personal gain overshadows servant leadership. What once appeared strong begins to fracture, as their influence erodes, their decisions breed destruction, and their foundation crumbles under the weight of unchecked sin. The very walls they relied upon—power, status, admiration—become their prison, and in the end, their kingdom falls inward, suffocated by the emptiness of self-rule. Without repentance, all that remains is ruin—a sobering testament to what happens when a leader forsakes God for the fleeting pleasures of the flesh. The corruption of male leadership in our present church culture is out of control, leading our church, families, and nation without potent leaders.The absence of Biblical leadership creates a ripple effect that erodes the very foundations of our churches, families, and nation. Without strong, Christ-centered leaders guiding with wisdom, truth, and humility, churches drift, compromising doctrine and replacing spiritual depth with cultural trends. Families suffer as fathers neglect their calling, allowing moral confusion and passivity to take hold, leaving children without direction or a firm foundation of faith in Christ. A nation built on biblical principles weakens when its leaders forsake truth for political expediency, leading to division, corruption, and moral decay. Is this not what you see today?When God-ordained leadership is absent, self-interest reigns, and compromise becomes the norm. Without voices willing to stand boldly for righteousness, society plunges into confusion, embracing ideology over truth. The need for bold, unwavering, biblically grounded leadership has never been greater—leaders who are not swayed by popular opinion but instead lead with conviction, courage, and absolute reliance on Yeshua. Without them, churches will crumble, families will falter, and nations will collapse under the weight of their own misguided pursuits. In a time of great spiritual and moral decline, I stand as a Nehemiah of our day, charged with the immovable passion to build, restore, and lead with unwavering faith. Just as Nehemiah refused to be distracted by opposition, deception, or fear, I am committed to pressing forward—undaunted, unshaken, and fully surrendered to the calling entrusted to me. The task before me is great, but the power of Yeshua within me is greater. The walls must be rebuilt—not just in stone, but in the hearts of men who have forsaken their strength, leadership, and responsibility. My leadership will not bend to passive resistance, nor will I be deterred by the voices of doubt or opposition. I will stand firm, lead boldly, and fight relentlessly for the truth of God’s Kingdom, knowing that the battle belongs to Him. In today’s church culture, there are as many kingdoms as there are “Christian” men!Now more than ever, men must rise and join forces under one Kingdom—the Kingdom of God. The time for division, passivity, and hesitation has long passed. We are called to be warriors of His indwelling faith, builders of truth, and defenders of righteousness, standing shoulder to shoulder under one mission—His mission. A Kingdom divided cannot stand, and a generation without strong, God-led leadership will implode in and upon itself. We need leaders who will not shrink back, men who will shout one mission under God, unifying hearts and minds to fulfill His divine purpose. The world offers distractions, deception, and resistance, but the Kingdom of God calls for absolute surrender, unwavering obedience, and bold faith. Together, as brothers in Christ, we must fight for truth, lead with strength, and live with unshakable conviction, knowing that our victory is secured in Yeshua. However, I wonder, am I preaching to a brick wall? You decide! Finding and working with an authentic leader can be an eternal experience. An authentic leader, guided by Yeshua’s integrity, humility, and genuine commitment to the well-being of others, inspires trust and empowers a collaborative environment. Together, we can achieve remarkable things and reflect Yeshua's love, leadership, and wisdom in all that we do. The End Times Chronicles is a reader-supported publication. 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