Tag: Biblical

Control

We often claim that someone needs to take control. We talk about people being controlling. We preach about self-control. We even discuss the need to be in control.

Why is it important for spiritual leadership?

When situations get out of hand, leaders must take control.
Spiritual leadership must not be controlling.
Leaders should be the epitome of self-control.
We look to these leaders when someone needs to be in control.

When leaders know how to use their power of influence in a Biblical and godly way, people’s behavior and the course of events can be shaped in ways to change eternity.

Noah

Noah never led a large group of people: just his wife, three sons, and their spouses. Take a closer look at his leadership.

Character: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.” Very few in scripture matched his character.

Ability to follow:
Noah did all the Lord commanded. Noah followed God. Before anyone can lead they must learn to follow.

Fortitude: He was a preacher of righteousness. His tenure was approximately 120 years. No one was converted, but he never swayed from the course.

These three qualities identify a great biblical leader. The same is true today.

Extremism

How many times in the political arena do we hear the thought expressed of someone being extreme left or extreme right?

Being extreme, however, is not limited to the political arena. We quite often find the beast of extremism within the church.

Brethren often become extreme in their approach and teaching, which leads to division in the church.

Our responsibility is to learn the difference between Biblical teaching and personal opinion.

In a time where we need to prevent the world’s influence on the church, let us not become so extreme that our actions portray what we are trying to prevent.

Reflective Leaders

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?

While the literal thought may seem ridiculous, have we looked in the mirror lately? The idea of looking into a mirror dates back to Biblical times.

The concept can be literal or symbolic, physical or spiritual. James writes about the need to look into the mirror of God’s word and see if His word is reflected in our lives.

Sadly, mirrors have often become a tool of vanity.

Spiritual leaders need to desperately look into the mirror of their leadership.

Look intently. Examine beyond the surface. Make the changes needed. Lead with purpose based upon our true reflection.

Decisive Leadership

There are two key elements to being decisive we need to develop.

The first is the idea of sound decisions. The soundness of a decision is going to be subjective based on the moral compass of the individual. From a spiritual leadership perspective, the soundness of one’s decisions will be based on a Biblical compass.

The second involves the word timely. We have all heard, and perhaps experienced, the idea of “timing is everything.” With much prayer, spiritual leaders will seek to make decisions in keeping with God’s timing.

When we make decisions that are both sound and timely, our leadership develops greater credibility.

Change

Why does the idea of “change” create such fear on the part of so many people? One possible answer is the idea that change brings something negative or bad. Change is also associated with introducing liberalism.

Change, however, can be a positive, powerful, and necessary approach to growth. Mandy Hale says, “Change can be scary, but you know what’s scarier? Allowing fear to stop you from growing, evolving, and progressing.”

Change is biblical; we call it repentance. It still means change.

Our fear of change must not stifle us from achieving all that God can do through us if we will but change.

Passion

One of my favorite leadership subjects is passion. Too many people lack passion in our world today. One reason is because so few understand what passion really means.

However, research shows the word passion originates from a Latin word meaning “to suffer.”

The significance of suffering is about the willingness of leaders to put the needs of others above themselves. It is a Biblical truth and the quality of great leadership will only be seen when leaders abandon a self-seeking worldly approach.

Be passionate, but understand what passion really means.

Lead Like Jesus

Often, the way we dress, where we live, the car we drive, the way we walk and talk is based on imitating someone else.

Leaders are not followed because they are like someone else, but because they know how to find their own voice. They are unique, a pioneer in their own rights.

Isn’t this what we seek from our leadership?

From a biblical perspective, we are to imitate Jesus. His leadership style set a precedent that revolutionized His era.

It is not popular in the world, but when leaders practice this same leadership style, a revolution will also occur today.

Reflection of a Leader

Have you looked in the mirror lately? The idea of looking into a mirror dates back to Biblical times.

Mirrors reflect the image standing before it. The concept can be literal or symbolic, physical or spiritual. James writes about the need to look into God’s word like a mirror and see how it is reflected in our lives.

Spiritual leaders need to desperately look into the mirror of their leadership. The image reflected helps determine the core of our existence and what we desire to accomplish.

Look intently. Examine beyond the surface. Make the changes needed. Lead with purpose based upon true reflection.

Honest Leadership

Honesty is critical to leadership, but not all leaders are honest. At times, they tend to tell “half-truths.”

Biblically, we know the necessity of honesty as a Christian virtue. Therefore, the application of honesty in biblical leadership is a natural reflection of what is expected by God and others.

Honesty is characterized in the words of David, describing the the power of biblical leadership in the one who “walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart” (Ps. 15:2).

The emphasis of David provides a platform for leaders, describing both who they are and what they do.