Tag: leadership

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1 Samuel Devotionals

A beacon of hope

Lighthouse

In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. (1 Samuel 22:2)

I was thinking today about why all these people without hope gravitated to David.

David had as many problems, if not more, than they did. They were in more danger with him than living on their own.

But there was something in David that gave them hope.

He certainly wasn’t a perfect leader. His decision to lie cost the lives of 85 priests plus their families.

Yet these people saw in David a faith and hope that they didn’t have. And I think it inspired faith and hope in them.

I want to be such a man. To my daughter, my wife, my coworkers, my friends, to everyone around me.

Honestly, I don’t feel like I’ve done such a good job with that this week, but that’s what I desire to be.

Father, let me be a beacon of hope to everyone around me. Draw them to you through me.

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Judges Devotionals

The gentleness and humility of wisdom

Judges

Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness (humility, NIV) that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

I couldn’t help think but think of those words (and all of James 3) as I read this passage.

True wisdom in a teacher or a leader of any sort is shown by that person’s gentleness and humility, both in their actions and their words.

Gideon showed great gentleness and humility with the Ephraimites (Judges 8:1-3).

But as for the rest of the chapter, not so much.

Instead he was wrapped up with desires of revenge for how people had treated him (4-17) and how they had treated his family (18-21).

Gideon also got caught up in his own selfish ambition (22-32).

Even in rejecting the Israelites request that he become their king, he acted like one, asking for the people’s gold, and taking on many wives like the kings of the times.

And despite his pious words of God being king and Israel serving him, he made an ephod (Exodus 28:3-8) for himself, and basically set up his own place of worship with himself as a priest. As a result, he turned many people away the Lord.  (27).

As James said,

Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (James 3:15)

Gideon was a spring from which both fresh and salt water flowed through his actions as well as his words. (James 3:11)

May we not be that way. As leaders in our families, at work, at church, or whatever position of leadership we may hold, let us be marked by the humility and gentleness that comes from wisdom. What does that look like?

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. (James 3:17-18)

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1 Timothy

Women and leadership in the church (part 2)

1 Timothy

In my last post, we talked about the view that Paul’s instructions saying that women were not allowed to teach or have authority over a man were limited to the Ephesian church.

However, others believe Paul’s instructions were meant to be applied to the church in general.

There are several reasons for this.

First, when Paul talks about overseers in the church (modern day pastors and leaders), he restricts this office to men. There is no hint that women are included.

For example, he talks about the wives of the overseers. He makes no mention of the husbands of overseers. (See in comparison 1 Timothy 5:9).

The second point is their interpretation of verses 13-14.

For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. (1 Timothy 2:13-14)

The argument made here is that God didn’t create Adam and Eve simultaneously; he created Adam first and then Eve.

Adam was therefore meant to be the leader of the household, with her providing help to him in the duties God had given him (Genesis 2:18).

We see this in Paul’s explanation in I Corinthians 11:3, 7-10.

We also see this in the way Paul describes the husband-wife relationship in Ephesians chapter 5. While there is a sense in which husband and wife are to submit to each other, Paul clearly teaches the wife is to follow the lead of her husband.

This then extends to the church at large. Just as men are to lead in their own households, men are to lead in the household of God. When they don’t, problems happen.

That then is Paul’s point in verses 13-14. When Adam didn’t lead, but rather followed the lead of his wife, they both fell into sin.

Again, there is much more that can be said on this position, but those are the main points.

Why is there so much disagreement on this issue?

Mainly because when Paul points back to Adam and Eve in his explanation, he assumes that Timothy understands perfectly what he was talking about.

He doesn’t say on one hand, “Eve was improperly educated, and that was why she fell. Therefore, until the women in your church are educated, they can’t teach or have authority.”

Nor does he say on the other hand, “Adam was meant to have the leadership role, and therefore this is the model for the church, with men doing the leading.”

Because of this, I refuse to argue about this issue to the point of disrupting the church. In whatever church I am at, I will go along with what they teach on the matter and support it.

I’ll wrap up this discussion tomorrow.

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1 Timothy

Manning up

Act like a man

“Man up!”

Have you ever heard those words before. That’s essentially what Paul tells the Ephesians here.

In verses 1-4, Paul charged all the Ephesians (through Timothy) to pray. And we talked about how if we are to wage spiritual warfare and win this world for Christ, prayer is where everything starts.

And then Paul says in verse 8,

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. (1 Timothy 2:8)

Here, Paul is not talking about Christian men and women in general. He’s specifically talking to the men.

And he’s saying to them, “Man up. Take up the responsibility that God has given you.”

What responsibility? I think more than anything it’s the responsibility to lead in the church, particularly when it comes to prayer.

Certainly the women were to pray as well.

But Paul specifically tells the men, “When it comes to prayer, you are to lead the way. Don’t leave it to the women to do all the praying. You need to lead. You need to be the example for everyone else in the church.”

The problem seems to be that the Ephesian men weren’t.

Instead, they were busy arguing about all the things we talked about earlier: genealogies and myths that led to false pride and false doctrine. They went on and on in vain discussions that generated a great deal of heat, but very little light.

In doing so, however, they neglected to pray. And all the while, I have to believe Satan was laughing.

How often do we men in the church do the same.

Oh, we may not argue about genealogies and myths. But we argue about politics. We argue about how to run the church. Or we get off on all kinds of non-essential doctrines. When is Jesus coming back? Is he coming pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib?

Just as bad, we have personal arguments and personal issues with each other that divide us. We spend so much time arguing with each other, that we forget our mission: to take the gospel to the people around us.

The result? We forget our mission and we forget to pray. And Satan sees this and laughs at us.

This failure to man up can extend to the home as well. We yield spiritual leadership to our wives.

Instead of leading our families in prayer and in the reading of the Word, we let our wives take that role.

Instead of praying for and with our wives, we argue with them over both the trivial and non-trivial.

Instead of showing humility, love, and forgiveness, we cling to pride, bitterness, and anger. Satan delights when he sees us act that way.

How about you? You are to be a man of God. Are you acting like one?

It’s time to man up. And that starts in one place. On your knees before God. Is that where you are every day?

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1 Thessalonians

Because the Lord is coming

I am coming soon

After talking about being ready for the Lord’s return, Paul gives us some instructions on how we as a church and as individual Christians are to live. And he starts with our relationships with each other.

In talking about our leaders within the church, Paul says,

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 

Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

How often do we take our pastors and other church leaders for granted? How often do we criticize them and disrespect them for their mistakes or failings?

The truth is, we all fail. We all could be subject to criticism if the spotlight were put on us.

But while it is true that leaders are to be held to a higher standard, Paul tells us, “Respect your leaders. They’re working hard for you, probably more than you know.

And don’t just respect them, hold them in the highest regard. Do this in love because of all that they do for you, for God, and his kingdom.”

Why? Because the Lord is coming.

We don’t have time to constantly criticize our pastors and leaders for every little fault they may have and every little mistake they may make.

God will hold them responsible for what they do. He is their judge, not you. So instead of making their lives miserable, Paul says,

Live in peace with each other. (13b)

Remember that while they may be over you in the Lord, they are also your brothers and sisters. So instead of fighting against them, work with them as God leads them and you.

Paul goes on to say,

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (14)

Pastors and leaders in the church are not the only ones subject to criticism. Often times, others are too. And if they are truly in sin, Paul tells us we are to warn them.

For others, they are timid and easily intimidated by the Enemy in this spiritual war we fight. So encourage them. Stand and fight by their side. Help them be strong in the midst of their circumstances.

Others in the church are weak, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. And Paul says to help them. For they are our brothers and sisters too.

And for all these, we are to be patient with them, knowing that the Lord is patient with us too. God hasn’t given up on us. We shouldn’t give up on each other.

Finally, Paul says,

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (15)

Even within the church, people wrong us. And it can be hard to forgive.

But again, the Lord is coming. And we can’t afford to hold grudges and bitterness in our hearts. So Paul says to again leave judgment to God, and instead respond with kindness to those who wrong us.

And not only to those within the church, but to those without, that they may see the love of Christ and may be drawn to him too.

The Lord is coming soon.

How are you treating your pastors and leaders?

How are you treating your brothers and sisters in Christ?

And how are you treating those people God has put around you outside the church?

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2 Corinthians

Marks of a leader (part 2)

2 Corinthians

A couple of blogs ago, we looked at some of the marks of a leader. In this passage, I think we can see more of what a true leader in the church looks like.

1. True leaders do not think of themselves more highly than they ought, but that they think of themselves with sober judgment (Romans 12:3).

In short, they can see who they are, and properly evaluate themselves as a servant of Christ, seeing with humility both their strengths and weaknesses.

Paul said in comparing himself with those “leaders” who criticized him,

I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. (2 Corinthians 12:11)

Paul knew who he was. He was an apostle called by Christ.

He was accredited by the signs, wonders, and miracles he performed; he had started multiple churches; and though he wasn’t “impressive” as a speaker, he nevertheless spoke to great effect.

Yet he also remembered that he was nothing in himself, the least of all the apostles because he had once persecuted the church. (1 Corinthians 15:9)

That in himself he was weak and could do nothing. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

True leaders need to be able to see themselves with that same kind of lens, remembering who they are in Christ and their daily need for God’s grace in their lives and ministries.

2. True leaders also love their people, not simply looking to use them for their own advantage.

Paul wrote,

I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? (2 Corinthians 12:14-15)

Paul truly wanted what was best for the Corinthians, and like a parent was willing to do anything to see them prosper spiritually, no matter what it cost him. All true leaders should have that kind of mindset.

3. True leaders are consistent in their integrity.

Some of the Corinthians accused Paul of somehow trying to exploit them or deceive them, ironically by not taking their money to support his ministry to them.

Perhaps they were saying, “Well, he’s saying that he wasn’t going to take your money, but actually he is under the guise of taking up an offering for the poor in Jerusalem.”

But Paul could point to his life and the men he had sent to the Corinthians, showing that they had all acted with the utmost integrity. (2 Corinthians 12:17-18)

Would that all leaders be able to do that.

4. Finally, true leaders grieve over sin in their people’s lives and ultimately deal with it.

Paul’s fear was that he would have to deal with the Corinthians’ sins and deal firmly with it. He didn’t want to do that, and was grieved over that possibility, but he was willing to do it. (2 Corinthians 12:20-21)

All true leaders should be that way. They cannot simply look the other way in the face of sin.

That’s the kind of leader Paul was. What kind of leader are you?

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2 Corinthians

The marks of a true leader

2 Corinthians

As Paul compares himself with the false apostles that had crept into the Corinthian church, I think we see the marks of a true Christian leader, what he does, and doesn’t do.

A true leader shouldn’t have to boast.

That Paul did so was not so much a sign of his greatness as a leader, but a concession to the foolishness of the Corinthians, who were too easily impressed by the “credentials” of those preaching to them a false gospel.

Paul himself, time and again berated himself as a fool for having to stoop to these false teachers’ level just to win credibility with the Corinthians.

But under normal circumstances, this shouldn’t be. A true leader realizes that everything he has comes from Christ, and as a result leads with humility, not pride.

A true leader also doesn’t abuse the sheep, even when he must be stern with them because of their sin.

The false teachers on the other hand, enslaved, exploited, took advantage of and insulted the Corinthians.

Unfortunately, even today, you hear stories of pastors who abuse their positions. But according to Paul, a true leader in the church gently instructs and corrects those who wrongfully oppose him. (2 Timothy 2:25)

More, a true leader cares for the sheep. (2 Corinthians 11:28-29)

He sees those that are weak in faith and lifts them up. He sympathizes with their weaknesses just as Christ does as our great high priest. (Hebrews 4:15)

And when others cause his sheep to fall, he becomes indignant just as Christ does. (Mark 9:42)

Finally, a true leader is willing to endure hardship for the sake of the gospel.

He doesn’t insist on luxury and comfort for himself. Paul certainly didn’t, suffering persecution, danger, sleeplessness, hunger and thirst for the sake of the gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)

Those are the marks of a true leader.

Are you a leader in your church? As a pastor? As a Sunday school teacher? As a Bible study leader? Do these things describe you?

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Luke Luke 20 Mark Mark 12 Matthew Matthew 23

A wrong view of leadership

The gospels

What is leadership? What is leadership not?

In a scathing criticism of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, Jesus gives us insight into what true leadership is about.

He first warned the disciples and the crowds,

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you.

But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. (Matthew 23:1-2).

Here, Jesus tells the people that though they were to respect the offices of authority, nevertheless they were not to do what the teachers of the law and Pharisees did because they didn’t practice what they preached.

Oh, they kept all the minor details of the laws, as well as the traditions of the elders, but when it came down to what was most important, justice, mercy, and faithfulness, they failed miserably. And it showed in how they treated the people, and how they related to God.

It also showed in how they viewed leadership. They saw it merely as telling the people what to do, not serving them. Jesus said of them,

They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. (Matthew 23:4).

These men poured out law upon law, rule upon rule on the people.

But when people started to crumble under the burden of guilt for not being able to keep all these things, they didn’t encourage them; they didn’t pray for them; they didn’t think how to help them. Rather, they condemned them.

They also saw it as a point of pride to be in that position.

Their phylacteries (boxes that held writings of scripture in them) were wide and their tassels which also had scriptures written on them were long so that all the world would be impressed by their spirituality.

They then abused their position for financial gain. Jesus said, “They devour widows’ houses,” probably meaning that they used the respect they gained from their position to get money from the widows.

They also gloried in being called “teacher” or “father” by those around them because it showed their high position among the people. But Jesus said,

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.

And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.

Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. (Matthew 23:8-10).

And that’s what a leader is to remember. Titles are nice to have, but in reality, all of us are equal, and God is the only one who is truly above all.

Yet even God came down to earth as a servant. He healed the sick, he brought good news to the poor and downtrodden, and then he died on a cross to take the punishment for all of our sins. And that is the attitude that leaders are to take.

Jesus said,

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11-12).

True leaders are servants. They don’t look for what they can gain in terms of respect, pride, or money. Rather, they are willing to sacrifice all for the sake of the people around them.

What kind of leader are you?

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Proverbs

To be a leader

What does it mean to be a leader?  I think that we can get some clues from this passage.

Agur writes,

There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing:  a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing; a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king with his army around him.  (Proverbs 30:29-31)

To be a leader is to be like a lion which always faces whatever challenges confront it.  

Some people walk confidently about…until something goes wrong.  At which point they hastily retreat, and are quick to cede their authority and leadership to another. 

A true leader, however, walks with confidence.  Why?  Because they know that God is with them.

You see this in Saul and David. 

When Goliath challenged the armies of Israel, saying to send their best man to face him, everyone looked to Saul because number one, he was their king, and number two, he was the biggest of all the Israelites. 

What did Saul do?  He hid in his palace, and instead offered a reward to anyone who would take his responsibility and fight this giant.

David, on the other hand, rose up and took on the giant.  What was his reasoning?

The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Samuel 17:37).

And because God was with him, he took down Goliath.

A leader is alert and prepared for action. 

What in the world does a strutting rooster have to do with being alert and prepared for action, do you ask? 

Nothing that I can think of, but then again, the Hebrew words translated “strutting rooster” are not so clearly translated. 

In other words, no one really knows what they mean.  Literally, they mean “one girt about the loins.” 

Some commentators have said it perhaps means “a man dressed in armor” while others have said it was a warhorse dressed for battle.

There are many possible translations people have put forth.  With the different translations, you can come up with different applications. 

But as I look at the literal meaning, it reminds me of Peter’s words when he said,

Therefore, prepare your minds for action (literally, “gird the loins of your mind); be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  (1 Peter 1:13)

Knowing that Christ is coming back, we need to always be prepared as leaders to do the things he has called us to do.

A leader leads.  

I suppose that should be self-evident.  But as a he-goat will always go before the flock, so should leaders, taking them in the direction that God himself is leading them.

A leader has people that are willing to follow.  

Another seemingly self-evident fact, but one that people don’t always think about. 

My pastor in Hawaii always said, “I can tell if a person is a leader if people follow them.  They may not think of themselves as leaders.  They may not feel qualified.  But they are leaders.”

On the other hand, you can’t consider yourself a leader if no one is willing to follow you. 

But if you have followers committed to you, and willing to go to battle with you as an army with a king, you can accomplish great things.

But Agur warns us there are those that would exalt themselves, and thus play the fool.  Who look down on others, and abuse their power. 

These are not leaders.  Or at least they won’t be leaders for long, because by their actions, they will stir up anger and strife, and all their would-be followers, will soon disappear.

How about you?  What kind of leader are you?

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Esther

Working for the good of the people

Esther

The book of Esther finishes with a brief passage talking about Xerxes’ greatness and of Mordecai’s.

What strikes me here is the last verse where it says,

 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.  (Esther 10:3)

To many people, being a leader is all about perks.  About being served.

But to Mordecai, who certainly enjoyed perks and people serving under him, leadership meant much more.

It meant serving the people.  It meant looking out for their good, not just his own.  And it meant making sure that his people were cared for.

This was what he had impressed upon Esther in chapter 4, and it was how he carried himself as a leader.

How about you?

As a husband, parent, teacher, boss, or whatever position of leadership you may hold, how do you carry yourself?

Do you look out only for yourself, demanding respect from the people around you?

Or do you work for the good of the people under your leadership?

You notice that it was because Mordecai looked after his people’s good, that he was held in high esteem.

You cannot demand respect of people.  It must be earned.  And the way to earn their respect is to look out for their good, and to care for them as Jesus did.

Paul put it this way,

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  (Philippians 2:3-4)

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Daniel

The God who is sovereign

Nebuchadnezzar

We now return to the book of Daniel, and close up the story of Nebuchadnezzar.

This is the famous story of how Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity, acting basically like a cow for 7 years before finally acknowledging that God alone is sovereign.

The story opens up with Nebuchadnezzar praising God, saying,

How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders!  His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.  (Daniel 4:3)

This indeed, is the theme of the whole chapter.

Nebuchadnezzar then talks about how he had been in his palace, content, prosperous, and  as a result, quite full of himself.

But then he had a dream that terrified him.  He saw a huge, beautiful, and fruitful tree that provided shelter and food to all.  But then a messenger from heaven called out,

‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.  Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.

But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.

‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth.

Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.

The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.’  (14-17)

I find Daniel’s response to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream very interesting.  It was filled with compassion.  Here was a man who took Jeremiah’s words to heart when he said,

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.  Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.  (Jeremiah 29:7)

Though Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed the nation he loved, still Daniel desired Nebuchadnezzar’s good.

He told Nebuchadnezzar that this dream was directed at him and that judgment was about to fall on him until the day came when he recognized God’s sovereignty over all, including his own self.

He then urged the king to repent so that God’s judgment would not have to fall.

As is God’s pattern throughout history, he gave Nebuchadnezzar time to do so before passing judgment.  For one year, God waited for Nebuchadnezzar to repent.  But after one year, nothing changed.

Then one day, Nebuchadnezzar was on the roof of his palace bathing in his own glory, saying,

Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?  (30)

At which point, God’s judgment fell on him, and he became like a beast for 7 years.  When this happened, no one knows, although it has been noted that there is no record of Nebuchadnezzar’s activities between 582 and 575 B.C.

Finally, at the end of this time, Nebuchadnezzar looked up to heaven and his sanity was restored.  As it was, he praised God saying,

[God’s] dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing.  He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.

No one can hold back his hand or say to him:  “What have you done?”…

Everything he does is right and all his ways are just.  And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.  (34-35, 37)

What can we get from all of this?  Very simply:  Remember that God is sovereign.  You are not.

What does this mean for us practically?

For one thing, are you in a position of authority?  Whether as a husband, or a mother, or a boss, or whatever position you may be in?

Remember that though you may have a position of authority, you yourself are subject to the ultimate Authority.  And he will hold you accountable for how you use the authority you’ve been granted.

God did not give you this authority to trample on those in your care.  He has given you that authority to serve.

Jesus himself is our example.  As God, he had ultimate authority.  But he didn’t come to reign.  He came to serve.

And so should you.  Serve your wife.  Serve your children.  Serve the people in your care.  That’s what it means to be a leader.

Second, when you are worried about who’s leading you, whether on a government level, or in your job, or in your family, remember that God is sovereign.

God has allowed them to take these positions of leadership over you, though we may not see why.

And as Daniel did with Nebuchadnezzar, we are to seek their good and pray for them even when they aren’t good leaders.

We are not to rejoice when they fail or fall.  We are to pray for their repentance and restoration.  For when our leaders are truly submitting themselves to God, not only will they prosper, but so will we.

How about you?  Are you submitting to God’s sovereignty in your life?

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Isaiah

What God calls a bad leader

Isaiah

All of us have known people that were bad leaders.  People who should never have been put in that position.  And unfortunately, Israel had their share of bad leaders as well.

In this passage, God calls these leaders out, saying,

Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. 

They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. 

They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain. 

“Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine!  Let us drink our fill of beer!  And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”  (Isaiah 56:9-12)

What’s a bad leader?

They are blind. 

They can’t see what’s going on around them.  They can’t see the needs of the people around them.  And they can’t see the trouble that is lying ahead.  When it comes, they are totally caught by surprise.

They lack knowledge and understanding. 

How many times have you met leaders who don’t know what they’re doing?  Or who show no wisdom in the things they do? 

They may try to do what’s right, but they’ve never sought or obtained the knowledge and wisdom they need to lead.  And so time and again, they make foolish decisions in their lives.

They are mute when trouble comes. 

When they see trouble coming, they don’t sound the alarm.  They take no action to deal with the problem.  Instead, they just ignore it, hoping in vain that things get better.

They’re lazy, living only for themselves. 

Instead of serving others, they expect others to serve them.  Instead of looking out for others’ needs, they simply look out for their own.  And though they are well-fed and satisfied, those under them go hungry.

It’s easy to criticize the leaders in our lives, but how about you?  What kind of leader are you?  To your family?  To your children?  At your work?  In your church?  To the people who look up to you?

Are you a good leader?  What would God say to you?