I am on to a new book now and it is greatly ministering to my soul. Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp exposes the hypocrisy, shame, and self-deception that many pastors may go through in seasons of their ministry. According to Tripp, there seems to be a disconnect between a Pastor's public ministry and his private ministry. In other words, it is often a great temptation for a pastor to be a different person in private than he is in public. Tripp exposes the rationalization and self-deception that goes on in pastoral ministry. Here are nine ways for pastors to deceive themselves:

1. Believe that Theological Knowledge Equals Spiritual Maturity

Many pastors, especially seminary students, may believe that theological precision equals spiritual maturity. If I get the right doctrine, I am right with the Lord. However, you can be theologically accurate, yet spiritually immature. The Bible says even Demons are theologically accurate, yet are in Hell.

2. Read the Bible for Sermons, Not for Your Own Soul

Another danger pastors face is that they make the Word of God an intellectual exercise or just read it to get the job done. In other words, they don't read the Bible to feed their own souls. The Word of God must minister to my own soul first, before I can minister to the Word to others.

3. Isolate Yourself

Isolation is often a great temptation for many pastors. We get the "Elijah" syndrome believing that everyone has forsaken the Lord and I am the only person on this planet that is faithful to God. I am guilty of this view in the past, believing that 90% of the people in the congregation were unregenerate when in reality I was just discouraged and impatient with people.

4. Avoid Being Mentored By An Older Believer

If you want to be deceived, believe that you don't need discipleship yourself. Believe that you "know" it all because you are a M.Div Seminary Student. Believe that you are the next greatest preacher and expositor of all time. Simply put, believe that you are above discipleship yourself.

5. Neglect Nurturing Your Wife in the Faith

Because your wife is your partner in the ministry, she goes through the same trials as you do. If you want to be deceived and let your wife be discouraged, isolate her as well. If you want her to be encouraged, make sure she is also being discipled by a godly woman (see Titus 2).

6.Present Yourself as the Perfect Pastor

In other words, never share your struggles on the pulpit or anyone in your community. If you do this, there will be a great disconnect between your public life and  private life.

7. Avoid Family Time

You will burn yourself out in the ministry if you overwork and fail to spend time with your wife. If a pastor wants to have a good home life, he needs to take time to build his marriage. This means I must guard my date nights and getaways with my wife.

8. Avoid Counseling

Finally, a pastor can be deceived if he avoids counseling. Pastors need to have someone they can call to pray for them and minister to them. This could be people in your local church, your small group, or your school.