I was seduced before I even knew it.

The pleasure of her company was irresistible. She offered me everything I'd ever wanted: prestige, power, affluence, and self-esteem. My only reservation was my awareness of how many of my friends she had also enticed.

Her name? Ambition.

Frankly, I had no idea that I could be so easily tempted. I had entered the ministry with clear allegiance to Jesus Christ, which took precedence over every other realm. Bible passages had been memorized that assured me no temptation could approach me that could not be resisted. Certainly I had long since taken the measure of lying, stealing, and philandering. In fact, I was certain that entrance into the ranks of the professional clergy assured me of a haven from the allurements of the flesh. Ah, what naiveté!

I had not reckoned with the fact that entering the institutional ministry can be considerably different from giving one's life in obedience and servitude to Christ. No one had told me about the "system" inside ...