Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Those Who Make Shipwreck

Copyright © 2024 Dag Heward-Mills

First published 2025 by Parchment House

Find out more about Dag Heward-Mills at:

Healing Jesus Campaign

Email: evangelist@daghewardmills.org

Website: www.daghewardmills.org

Facebook: Dag Heward-Mills

Twitter: @EvangelistDag

ISBN : 979-8-89606-686-6

All rights reserved under international copyright law. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book.

A king who is loyal and true will keep his power. Loyalty will keep his kingdom strong.

Proverbs 20:28 (ERV)

Chapter 1

What Is a Shipwreck?

Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.:

1 Timothy 1:19 (NASB)

A shipwreck is a destroyed and sunken ship. A shipwreck is therefore symbolic of ruin, downfall, destruction and decay.

If you make a shipwreck of your ministry, it means your ministry has come to a calamitous and catastrophic end.

If you make a shipwreck of your ministry, it means your ministry is tragically destroyed, ruined and overthrown.

There are clear examples of shipwrecks of ministry in the Bible. Each one of these examples reveals why and how a shipwreck occurs. I have been a Christian for so many years, serving the Lord and working in the church. I have seen several people making a shipwreck of their ministry.

To make a shipwreck of your ministry is to self-destruct and initiate your own downfall and destruction.

To make a shipwreck of your ministry is to make a false step that leads to devastation and desolation in ministry.

To make a shipwreck of your ministry is to be misled by your flesh to step into ruin.

To make a shipwreck of your ministry is to be led by the devil into temptation and downfall.

In this book, you will have clear patterns of shipwrecks in ministry that you will recognise plainly from now on.

When Peter declared that he would stand by Jesus even to death, Jesus noticed some emptiness in his words and declarations. Jesus knew that Peter was about to make a shipwreck of his ministry. Because of this, Jesus did not pray for Peter that he would not be tempted! Jesus did not pray for Peter that he would not fall! I believe that Jesus wanted Peter to be tempted and also to fall so that he would learn an invaluable lesson of humility and carefulness.

It is not only important to make stout declarations of your loyalty and commitment, but it is also important to know how you might, just perhaps, break your promises and fall into what you hate. Many people have made declarations that they violated. Many people have made promises that they have broken easily. A faithful person, who swears to his own hurt and does not change, is not so easy to find. This is why it is important to learn about shipwreck disasters in ministry so you can prevent them.

… but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. HE THAT SWEARETH TO HIS OWN HURT, AND CHANGETH NOT.

Psalm 15:4

Through the teaching in this book, you can see how a real shipwreck occurs and what happens in a real-life shipwreck of ministry.

Chapter 2

The Shipwreck of Tyre: Elements of a Shipwreck

The ships of Tarshish serve as carriers for your wares. You are filled with heavy cargo as you sail the sea. Your oarsmen take you out to the high seas. But the east wind will break you to pieces far out at sea. Your wealth, merchandise and wares, your mariners, sailors and shipwrights, your merchants and all your soldiers, and everyone else on board will sink into the heart of the sea on THE DAY OF YOUR SHIPWRECK.

The shorelands will quake when your sailors cry out. All who handle the oars will abandon their ships; the mariners and all the sailors will stand on the shore. They will raise their voice and cry bitterly over you; they will sprinkle dust on their heads and roll in ashes. They will shave their heads because of you and will put on sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and with bitter mourning. As they wail and mourn over you, they will take up a lament concerning you: “Who was ever silenced like Tyre, surrounded by the sea?” When your merchandise went out on the seas, you satisfied many nations; with your great wealth and your wares, you enriched the kings of the earth. Now you are shattered by the sea in the depths of the waters; your wares and all your company have gone down with you. All who live in the coastlands are appalled at you; their kings shudder with horror and their faces are distorted with fear. The merchants among the nations scoff at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.

Ezekiel 27:25-36 (NIV)

The scripture above describes the shipwreck of Tyre. I have decided to list the elements of a shipwreck:

The Elements of a Shipwreck

1. A shipwreck occurs when a person and his ministry are irreparably broken into pieces just like Humpty Dumpty.

Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: THE EAST WIND HATH BROKEN THEE IN THE MIDST OF THE SEAS.

Ezekiel 27:26

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall!

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall!

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men,

Couldn’t put Humpty together again!

As the rhyme goes, Humpty Dumpty was an egg that fell to the ground and was irreparably destroyed. This little rhyme reveals an experience which seems irreversible and irreparable.

Indeed, there are situations in the ministry which look irrecoverable. The places where there is no possibility of recovery are called places of shipwreck.

However, Humpty Dumpty could not be put together by the king’s men and the king’s horses because Humpty Dumpty called on a natural king. You need to call on the right king if you want to recover from such situations. Call on the King of kings! The King of kings believes in restoration, redemption, forgiveness, reconciliation, recovery and salvation from the worst kind of situation.

2. A shipwreck is when a person and his ministry are financially ruined.

Thy riches, and THY FAIRS, THY MERCHANDISE, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, SHALL FALL INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEAS IN THE DAY OF THY RUIN.

Ezekiel 27:27

3. A shipwreck has happened when people weep over you, even at the thought of you.

AND ARE HEARD WAILING LOUDLY OVER YOU, AND THEY CRY BITTERLY. They cast up dust on their heads; they wallow in ashes, And they make themselves [utterly] bald for you and gird themselves with sackcloth, and they weep over you in bitterness of heart and with bitter mourning and wailing.

Ezekiel 27:30-31 (AMPC)

4. A shipwreck is when your team of collaborators are destroyed with you.

Now you are shattered by the seas in the depths of the waters; your merchandise and ALL YOUR CREW HAVE GONE DOWN WITH YOU.

Ezekiel 27:34 (AMPC)

5. A shipwreck is when all people are frightened and horrified by the lessons they learn from your disaster.

All the inhabitants of the isles and coastlands are astonished and appalled at you, and their kings are horribly frightened and shudder greatly; their faces quiver.

Ezekiel 27:35 (AMPC)

6. A shipwreck is when you come to a horrible end.

The merchants among the nations scoff at you; YOU HAVE COME TO A HORRIBLE END and will be no more.

Ezekiel 27:36 (NIV)

7. A shipwreck is when you cross the line and can never recover or go back.

YOU ARE GONE, GONE FOREVER, and merchants all over the world are terrified, afraid that they will share your fate.

Ezekiel 27:36 (GNT)

Chapter 3

The Shipwreck of Paul: Steps to a Shipwreck

And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

Acts 27:8-13

This scripture describes the shipwreck of Paul. Paul was involved in a historic shipwreck which led to his being marooned on the island of Malta. The shipwreck was a significant event in the life of Paul and almost cost him his life. How did this shipwreck come about and what were the factors that led to this disaster? What can you learn from Paul’s shipwreck? Whatever caused the shipwreck for Paul can also cause a shipwreck for you.

Eight Steps to a Shipwreck

1. Delay Can Cause a Shipwreck.

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

Acts 27:9

Paul’s ship captain spent so much time on land that setting off to sail was now dangerous. Do not allow unnecessary delays to lead you to a shipwreck of ministry. Do not delay in obeying God! Do not delay in taking the steps that you need to take. Do not delay in joining a group you must belong to! Do not delay in leaving a group you must leave. Do not delay in starting the church! Do not delay in going into full-time ministry. Do not delay in sending missionaries.

2. Circumstances Can Lead You to a Shipwreck.

Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

Acts 27:12 (NASB95)

The circumstances of the harbour led the team to embark on a journey which was doomed to shipwreck. The circumstances of the harbour were simply not suitable for wintering. However, circumstances must not lead you. Circumstance means “things standing around”; Circum and Stance! Circumstances must not guide you! You must be led by God and not the circumstances of your life.

A spiritual man is led by the Spirit and not by things standing around. Determine that you will never be led by circumstances, even if the circumstances are comfortable or seem suitable for you.

3. Ignoring Danger Signs Can Cause a Shipwreck.

But as [the season was well advanced, for] much time had been lost and navigation was already dangerous, for the time for the Fast [the Day of Atonement, about the beginning of October] had already gone by, Paul warned and advised them,

Acts 27:9 (AMPC)

It is a very bad thing for a leader to avoid warning signs. Every time a disaster occurs, people always try to find out why and how it happened. Were there any warning signs of an impending disaster? Are there any signs that we also need to know to avoid such a disaster?

That is why whenever there is a plane crash, extreme measures are taken to find out why and how the crash occurred. There is always a great effort to pick up warning signs so that a future disaster can be avoided.

One scary thing is to have a leader who ignores danger signs. How unfortunate it would be to sit on a plane with a pilot who ignores the warning signs that his fuel tank is leaking!

4. Being in a Hurry Can Result in a Shipwreck.

NOW WHEN MUCH TIME WAS SPENT, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

Acts 27:9-10

It is a dangerous thing to be in a hurry. It is dangerous for you to become so conscious of the time that you hurry out into a shipwreck. God is not in a hurry. God is not rushing you anywhere. He that believeth shall not make haste.

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL NOT MAKE HASTE.

Isaiah 28:16

I remember a man of God who made the worst decision of his life when he was pressured and rushed into signing a document. By signing that document, he handed over his ministry to his enemies and lost it forever. He said he remembered, as he was signing the document, a message that he had heard at a pastors’ conference. That message was entitled “Beware voices of haste.” “Beware voices of haste” means beware of being hurried up to do things. Beware of impatience in yourself! There is a verse which has always guided me away from being in a hurry. It says:

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

Proverbs 28:22

Be careful of rushing around and being in a hurry all the time. He that hasteth to be rich has an evil eye!

I remember a brother who was hasty to be rich. He looked for every opportunity to make money. Once, he was a guest of some people in America. When something went wrong in the apartment block, he suggested to his friend to sue the landlord. “You can make so much money from a lawsuit.” He continued, “This is America! You can make a lot of money from a lawsuit.”

Whenever he wrote a book or had the opportunity to preach, he spoke only about money. This made it clear to everyone who knew him that he was in a hurry to become rich. And indeed, he eventually turned out to be a rebellious, slanderous, and evil person.

Beware voices of haste! Beware of anything that hurries you up! Beware of being hurried up! Paul and his team were hurried up and made to leave quickly. They were rushed into a famous shipwreck!

5. Failure to Heed the Word of the Lord from His Servant Caused the Shipwreck.

But as [the season was well advanced, for] much time had been lost and navigation was already dangerous, for the time for the Fast [the Day of Atonement, about the beginning of October] had already gone by, Paul warned and advised them, Saying, Sirs, I perceive [after careful observation] that this voyage will be attended with disaster and much heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but of our lives also. However, the centurion paid greater attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.

Acts 27:9-11 (AMPC)

It is important to heed the word of the Lord through His prophets. Not yielding to a prophetic word is to open yourself up to shipwreck. The word of the Lord is something that requires believing! You must believe in supernatural words from the Lord, through His servants.

NOW THEREFORE BE YE NOT MOCKERS, LEST YOUR BANDS BE MADE STRONG: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth. Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

Isaiah 28:22-23

Do not be a mocker, lest your bands and bonds be made stronger and your destruction is even more severe. Mockers will be destroyed!

Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof...

And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.

2 Kings 7:1-2, 20

When the prophet declared that there would be a 24-hour miracle resulting in abundance and fullness, the king’s servant mocked him. Just as the prophecy declared, he was run over and destroyed because he did not believe the word of the Lord!

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, AS UNTO A LIGHT THAT SHINETH IN A DARK PLACE, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Peter 1:19-21

Do not reject the prophetic words that God sends to you. God has decided to bless you. You must believe it and flow in it. There is darkness everywhere! It is this darkness we are living in. A prophecy is a light! It is a candle in the dark! There is thick fog everywhere! God is trying to show you the way! Listen to the prophecies!

6. Trusting in the Majority Can Cause a Shipwreck.

And as the harbor was not well situated and so unsuitable to winter in, THE MAJORITY FAVORED THE PLAN OF PUTTING TO SEA AGAIN FROM THERE, hoping somehow to reach Phoenice, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, and winter there.

Acts 27:12 (AMPC)

Always trusting the majority is a mistake. The children of Israel murmured against Moses, and they were in the majority. Yet, the majority was wrong in the wilderness, and Moses, the minority, was right. The twelve spies were sent out to spy on the land. Only Joshua and Caleb (the minority) had a good report. The ten (the majority), gave an evil report. The majority had a bad spirit, and the minority had a good spirit.

Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, BECAUSE HE HAD ANOTHER SPIRIT WITH HIM, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

Numbers 14:23-24

It is the wisdom of the world that says the majority is always right. On what basis is the majority right? Many people do not have any good reason for voting for a particular candidate. Some vote because their candidate is tall and handsome. Some vote because the candidate is from their tribe or ethnic group. Others vote because the candidate is their relative. Many times however, the majority does not necessarily make the right choice.

7. Being More Open to Secular Advice Than to Spiritual Advice Can Cause a Shipwreck.

Nevertheless, the centurion BELIEVED THE MASTER AND THE OWNER OF THE SHIP, MORE THAN THOSE THINGS WHICH WERE SPOKEN BY PAUL.

Acts 27:11

The centurion should have listened to Paul. Be careful of rejecting spiritual advice. Be careful of being carnal in your decisions. To be carnally minded leads to death. To reject spiritual words is a very negative and worldly mistake!

Chapter 4

The Shipwreck of Hymenaeus and Alexander: Blasphemy

Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan in order that they may be disciplined [by punishment and learn] not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 1:20 (AMPC)

Who were Hymenaeus and Alexander? They were blasphemers! Hymenaeus and Alexander were shipwrecked blasphemers! Hymenaeus and Alexander were Christians who had worked with Timothy and Paul, but who had made shipwreck of their lives and ministries.

How did Alexander and Hymenaeus end up as shipwrecked ministers? Through blasphemy!

Paul wanted them to learn not to blaspheme, so he committed them to satan himself. He removed their heavenly covering, so that they might be exposed directly to satan. That is an ultimate judgment for an ultimate sin.

The shipwreck of Hymenaeus and Alexander was caused by their tendency to insult, defame and speak evil of authorities. Hymenaeus was a person who spoke irreverently about God’s servants. He must have insulted the church and its leadership in the worst way possible.

Today, there are many blasphemers on social media and other forms of regular media. They insult, defame, blaspheme, vilify, denigrate, criticise and belittle God’s servants in the media. This is the ultimate sin of blasphemy in the modern world.

One day, someone showed me a whole set of blasphemies on social media. I was shocked to see pastors and former pastors who had dedicated themselves to the insulting, vilifying and defaming of God’s honourable servants. Be not deceived! God is not mocked! No matter how long it takes, God will not allow blasphemy to go scot-free. Blasphemy is an ultimate sin, and it will receive an ultimate and profound judgment!

What is Blasphemy?

Blasphemy is the ultimate sin of speaking reproachfully about God and His work! Blasphemy is when a person speaks evil in such a way as to incur the wrath of God. Blasphemy comes from the Greek word “blasphemeo”.

Blasphemeo means many things:

1. Blasphemy is a bitter denunciation and complaint uttered by a godless man.

2. Blasphemy is the sin of speaking impiously about God, His church and His servants.

3. Blasphemy is the sin of attacking the good reputation of God, His church and His servants by uttering malicious and injurious words.

4. Blasphemy is the sin of defaming and speaking damaging words against God’s ministers.

5. Blasphemy is the sin of railing at and insulting God’s servants.

6. Blasphemy is the sin of speaking or writing extremely evil words against God, His church and His servants!

7. Blasphemy is the sin of speaking reproachfully against the church of God.

Blasphemers are doomed to shipwreck because blasphemy is a very serious sin, for which there will be a strong reaction. You can tell how serious blasphemy is by a little analysis of the Holy Scriptures on blasphemy.

1. Blasphemy is an ultimate sin because it is injurious to the body of Christ. No other sin is described as injurious to the church.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

1 Timothy 1:12-13

2. Blasphemy is an ultimate sin because Hymenaeus and Alexander were delivered to satan for it. Blasphemy provoked Apostle Paul to hand over Hymenaeus and Alexander to satan. This blasphemy must have been a very serious sin for them to have been condemned and handed over to satan just so that they would learn not to blaspheme!

Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 1:20

3. Blasphemy is an ultimate evil because it is one of the most profound last-day evils. The Bible declares that several moral blemishes will come upon us in the last days, including blasphemy.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2 Timothy 3:2

4. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an ultimate evil, and will result in never being forgiven. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is considered unforgivable! This reveals that blasphemy is a profound, unforgivable evil.

And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

Luke 12:10

5. Blasphemy is the ultimate self-destructive evil! Blasphemy is considered as a form of self-hatred and self-destruction! Paul described those who blaspheme as those who oppose themselves! Those who blaspheme destroy themselves.

AND WHEN THEY OPPOSED THEMSELVES, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Acts 18:6

6. Blasphemy causes a person to become an unreasoning animal. Blasphemy converts people into the lowest kind of beasts. Blasphemy makes a person turn into an unreasoning animal.

BUT THESE PEOPLE BLASPHEME in matters they do not understand. THEY ARE LIKE UNREASONING ANIMALS, CREATURES OF INSTINCT, BORN ONLY TO BE CAUGHT AND DESTROYED, and like animals they too will perish.

2 Peter 2:12 (NIV)

7. Blasphemy is the sin of the dragon and the sin of the beast. Do you want to be identified with the sins of the dragon and the beast? Blasphemy is an ultimate sin committed by ultimate evil personalities.

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. AND HE OPENED HIS MOUTH IN BLASPHEMY AGAINST GOD, TO BLASPHEME HIS NAME, AND HIS TABERNACLE, AND THEM THAT DWELL IN HEAVEN.

Revelation 13:5-6

Why Did Hymenaeus and Alexander become Blasphemers?

Holding FAITH, and a GOOD CONSCIENCE; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 1:19-20

Hymenaeus and Alexander became blasphemers because they set aside their faith and their conscience! Hymenaeus and Alexander shipwrecked their ministries because of blasphemy. You will never be able to say certain things unless you set aside your faith and beliefs.

The scripture says in 1 Chronicles 16:22, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” It is only when you do not believe this scripture that you vilify, insult, denigrate, castigate and criticise God’s anointed servant.

Do Not Set Aside Your Faith!

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.

2 Timothy 4:7

Do not set aside the things you believe. Stay with your beliefs until the end of the race!

Many people put aside what they originally believed. Some people believed that they were called to the ministry. Yet at a point, they declared, “I am not a pastor anymore”. Meanwhile, people have known them as ministers of the gospel for years.

Someone once called me his spiritual father. Yet after many years, the same person declared that I was not his spiritual father.

Assess yourself this way all the time; do you still ardently believe the things you once believed?

WHO IS IT YOU HAVE RIDICULED AND BLASPHEMED? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!

Isaiah 37:23 (NIV)

It is as though those who spend their time blaspheming on social media do not believe in God. They criticise God’s servants and the church with reckless ease and abandon. It is as though they do not believe in God at all! But the scripture clearly asks “Whom do you think you are blaspheming against? Do you not know there is a God up there?”

Almighty God is watching all that is being said and done. He is the one you are fighting against.

Apostle Paul blasphemed and attacked the church before he was saved.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; WHO WAS BEFORE A BLASPHEMER, AND A PERSECUTOR, AND INJURIOUS: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

1 Timothy 1:12-13

Paul’s blasphemous behaviour did not end well for him. He was arrested by the Lord and struck blind. God asked him, “Why are you persecuting me? Why are you attacking me?” God told him, “It is hard to kick against thorns.” In other words, it is painful and difficult to strike something that is well-protected and defended.

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: IT IS HARD FOR THEE TO KICK AGAINST THE PRICKS.

Acts 9:4-5

Do Not Set Aside Your Conscience!

Do not set aside the gentle inner voice that speaks to you. Always listen to the still, small voice within you. Your conscience is an inner sense of what is right or wrong. That is your conscience! Your conscience is what will guide you in your conduct and motives. Your conscience will impel you toward the right action.

You will never be able to say certain evil things unless your conscience is dead. Blasphemers know that many of the things they are saying are not true. It is their bad conscience that allows them to continue saying and doing evil. They are determined to lie and defame until the bitter end. It seems that they intend to crash out of this world screaming, lying and cursing everyone.

This is why faith and a good conscience are so important. Losing your faith and your conscience will make you open to blasphemy. Blasphemers are bitter, wicked men who cannot easily repent or turn around! Satan is the stubborn, unrepentant and sinful angel who has never changed his mind and never stopped blaspheming. It is those who are filled with the spirit of satan who continue to blaspheme relentlessly to their own destruction.

May God bless you with the strength to resist all blasphemers! May an evil speaker not be established in your life and ministry! Let all slanderers be removed from the earth!

MAY A SLANDERER NOT BE ESTABLISHED IN THE EARTH; May evil hunt the violent man speedily.

Psalm 140:11 (NASB95)

Chapter 5

The Titanic Shipwreck: A Warning from History

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

One of the most captivating stories of a shipwreck is the story of the Titanic. The Titanic was destroyed on its very first voyage, contrary to all human expectations. No one expected that such a tragedy could occur. The story of the Titanic shipwreck highlights the effect of pride on the human race.

Pride indeed is our greatest enemy and destroyer! Pride is a very clever enemy because it has many different forms, including invisible forms. Pride is so well camouflaged that it is welcomed into our lives as a friend when it is actually an enemy. Pride can and must be recognised in the many ways that it manifests itself.

There is an unspoken law in the universe that declares that whoever and whatever exalts himself, whenever and wherever, will be brought low. There is another unspoken law which says that whoever and whatever humbles himself, whenever and wherever, will be exalted.

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 14:11

The Story of the Titanic Shipwreck

People all over the world are still fascinated, captivated and curious about this tragic shipwreck. The Titanic was a British luxury passenger ship that sank on 15th April 1912, en route to New York from Southampton, England, on its very first voyage.

The largest and most luxurious ship afloat, the Titanic, had a double-bottomed hull divided into 16 watertight compartments. The hull of a ship is the hollow, lowermost, partially submerged portion of a ship. The hull helps the ship to float. The Titanic was built in such a way that four compartments of the hull could be flooded without endangering the ship’s ability to float. Because of this, the Titanic was considered unsinkable.

However, after only four days’ journey and shortly before midnight on 14th April 1912, the Titanic collided with a huge iceberg at a location southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland, near Canada. Five compartments of the hull of the ship ruptured, and the ship sank in just over 150 minutes. The ship broke into two pieces at around 2.20 a.m. on April 15 and sank, sending all remaining passengers on board into the ocean. There were 2224 passengers and crew on board the Titanic, and over 1,500 of them died when it sank.

Unfortunately, the Titanic had only 1,178 lifeboat places, even though there were 2,224 people on board. Today, after this disaster, there are rules that require that the number of passengers on a ship should be equal to the number of places in the lifeboats.

The Titanic sent distress signals to multiple ships shortly after midnight on April 15, 1912. Only “The Carpathia” arrived on the scene and saved the 712 survivors of the Titanic. The remaining 1512 lives perished in the icy waters of the ocean. It is said that if the other two ships nearby had responded, all the people on the Titanic could have been saved.

Part of the tragedy of the Titanic shipwreck was that there was a ship nearby, only 22 kilometres away, which did not hear the Titanic’s distress calls because no one was on duty. Today, after learning this vital lesson, all ships maintain a 24-hour radio watch for distress signals.

Another important development that followed the sinking of the Titanic was that an International Ice Patrol was established to monitor icebergs in shipping lanes.

So, what exactly caused this amazing Titanic shipwreck? Many people have given many reasons for the sinking of the Titanic. I believe that many technical reasons can be attributed to this shipwreck, but perhaps, pride was the big underlying evil that contributed to this tragedy.

The Pride of the Titanic

1. Titanic Pride is in Overconfidence!

Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

Proverbs 13:10 (NASB)

Pride makes you trust in what you should not trust. Pride causes you not to prepare for danger and possible shipwrecks. “It is impossible”, is what pride says. Because the shipbuilders were so confident about the unsinkable nature of the Titanic, they did not even have enough lifeboats on board. Although there were 2,224 passengers on board, there were only enough lifeboats to accommodate 1,178 passengers. This means that almost half of the passengers would be forced to drown in the event of a shipwreck.

Watch out for overconfidence! Being too confident can lead to serious mistakes. It seems that the mistakes of the builders of the Titanic were largely from pride and overconfidence in themselves and in their achievements.

It is good to have faith and to be confident, but you must place this great confidence in God and not in your own understanding. Pride is overconfidence: overconfidence is pride!

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART; AND LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7

2. Titanic Pride is in a Lack of Preparation!

If my people, which are called by my name, shall HUMBLE THEMSELVES, and PRAY, and SEEK MY FACE, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Humility always leads to preparation! When the people of God humbled themselves, they prayed and sought God’s face. That is indeed a sign of humility!

One of the signs of overconfidence is a lack of preparation! Pride makes you trust what you should not trust in. Pride causes you not to prepare for danger and possible shipwrecks. “It is impossible! No bad thing can happen” – these are the statements of pride! This is why many people do not write wills or give any instructions concerning their funerals.

Even though there was space for 1,178 Titanic passengers to be saved on lifeboats, around 700 people eventually survived the Titanic. Why is that? The Titanic’s crew was not prepared to deal with such a devastating incident. A disorganised and inefficient evacuation process was the result of poor communication, poor coordination and a lack of clear instructions, which made the death toll higher than it should have been. A few more hundred people could have been saved, even though there were not enough lifeboats. Let God lead you to humbly prepare yourself for whatever is coming.

3. Titanic Pride Does Not Honour God!

For even though they knew God, THEY DID NOT HONOR HIM AS GOD OR GIVE THANKS, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.

Romans 1:21 (NASB)

Did the makers of the Titanic honour God? Did they thank God? Rarely do you hear the mention of God in relation to the building of the Titanic. A proud person is fixated on what man can achieve and what man has achieved. A proud person is not so interested in the God factor. God is not even mentioned in the mouths of the proud and arrogant! A shipwreck is always caused when people forget God and do not honour Him.

4. Titanic Pride Moves Forward Recklessly!

The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

Obadiah 1:3

The Titanic moved along at a high speed in dangerous waters. The Titanic was travelling at a high speed through a region known for its dangerous icebergs. The choice to keep up this speed regardless of alerts from different boats was a huge calculated risk.

When people are proud and reckless, they move without caution, assuming that things will work out for them somehow. Reckless behaviour is utterly unconcerned about the consequences of certain actions. People become proud and reckless with sin when they have been doing it for a long time and nothing bad has happened to them.

A proud person moves very fast and without caution. Beware of excessive and reckless speed. Pride makes you go too fast. Beware of voices of haste!

Pride makes you blind to dangers. A humble person is more careful. The Titanic moved through very dangerous waters as though there were no danger. Pride makes you ignore danger signs and warnings with arrogance. When you are filled with humility, you do not see yourself as Superman. You see yourself as an average person who is in real danger of the things that ordinary people are in danger of.

Go slowly! How do you see yourself? As a superman who cannot fall into sin, or as an ordinary person who is afflicted with the failings of a normal man? Jesus saw Himself as a man! As a mere man! That is how you must see yourself too. You must tread with caution and go slowly.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:5-8

5. Titanic Pride Speaks with Arrogance!

I SAID TO THE BOASTFUL, ‘DO NOT BOAST,’ AND TO THE WICKED, ‘DO NOT LIFT UP THE HORN; Do not lift your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride.’ For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the desert comes exaltation; But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another.

Psalm 75:4-7 (NASB)

The Titanic was widely acclaimed to be unsinkable. Titanic makers spoke great words of confidence. The Titanic was praised as the pinnacle of engineering achievement. The builders declared it virtually unsinkable. Complacency and a lack of preparedness for such a catastrophe resulted from this false sense of invincibility.

The first unqualified assertion of Titanic’s unsinkability appeared in The New York Times on 16 April 1912, a day after the tragedy. Philip A. S. Franklin, Vice President of the International Mercantile Marine Company (owned by White Star Line’s holding company), stated after being told of the sinking, “I thought her unsinkable, and I based my opinion on the best expert advice available. I do not understand it.”

6. Titanic Pride is in its Blindness!

Woe unto you, ye BLIND guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and BLIND: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? …Ye fools and BLIND: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Matthew 23:16-17, 19

Pride makes you blind. Due to a lack of binoculars, the Titanic’s lookout crew was unable to spot the iceberg in time. The Titanic did not even have a pair of binoculars to look out for any dangers! They moved in the dark at top speed when there were icebergs all around! They might have been able to take evasive action sooner if they had this essential piece of equipment.

How could such a huge ship move so confidently in an area known to have huge icebergs?

If they had even thought of the icebergs as a problem, there would have been a lookout, carefully scanning the waters to see if the dangerous icebergs were anywhere ahead.

Pride is overconfidence! Overconfidence is pride!

7. Titanic Pride Needs No One!

Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.” But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.

Ezekiel 28:2 (NIV)

Pride makes you think that you do not need anyone. Pride makes you feel that there is no need to relate to anyone else. “I sit alone! I am a god!” Pride makes you independent and unconnected. Pride causes you not to relate to others like your fellows and colleagues. The Titanic was not connected to the nearby ships that could have come to rescue them. The mighty Titanic needed help badly from smaller and seemingly “inferior” ships.

When the Titanic was hit hard and started sinking, it began sending out distress signals. There were three ships which were nearby before it sank: “The Samson”, “The Californian” and “The Carpathia”. These three ships alone could have saved all the passengers on board the Titanic. One ship was just 7 miles away. Another ship was 14 miles away, and the last one was 58 miles away. Having good relationships and lots of communication with them could have saved them from the disaster that occurred.

The ship called “The Samson” was merely 7 miles away from the Titanic. They saw the white flares signalling danger, but because the crew had been hunting seals illegally and did not want to be caught, they turned and went in the opposite direction, away from the Titanic.

The second ship was called the “The Californian” and it was just 14 miles away from the Titanic. Unfortunately, this ship was surrounded by fields of ice. The captain looked out and saw the white flares but felt that the conditions were not favourable. Because it was dark, the captain decided to go to bed and wait till morning. The crew spent time convincing themselves that nothing bad was happening.

The third ship was called “The Carpathia”. This ship was 58 miles away. It was headed away from the Titanic when it heard the distress cries over the radio. The captain of this ship sensed the distress and went full steam ahead through the ice fields.

On that fateful night, The Carpathia was the first ship to respond to the distress of the Titanic. It would take approximately three and a half hours to arrive at the Titanic’s position. Captain Arthur Rostron of The Carpathia made great efforts to speed up his old ship through the dangerous ice fields. Captain Rostron’s crew kept themselves busy making preparations to receive the surviving passengers. This was the ship that saved the 712 survivors of the Titanic.

God having provided some better thing for us, that THEY WITHOUT US SHOULD NOT BE MADE PERFECT.

Hebrews 11:40

Pride makes you feel that you do not need anyone. But we do need one another! We will always need others! No matter who you are, you will need someone to help you. You may even need someone to help you at the time of your death.

Let us take great lessons from this incredible, historic tragedy and receive direction from the Lord to fight against all invisible forms of pride!

May the Lord grant you the wisdom to be delivered from all types of shipwreck and ministerial tragedies! May you never make shipwreck of your soul and ministry!

“And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Ecclesiastes 12:12