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Hello friends and thanks for staying with us. Today, the twentieth episode of the series focuses on the pitfalls of the leader.
A pitfall is something which causes believers to stumble and fall. It also prevents us from achieving our purpose and vision, derailing us from finishing well. Jude 24 & 25 say best: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Saviour, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Undeniably, pitfalls hinder us to present ourselves faultless before God’s presence.
What are some areas of temptation for today leaders? For men, the most common temptations are the three “G”s - Girls, Gold and Glory! We read the story of King Saul, a great leader who went from hero to zero due to misconduct. The allure of sex, money and power are temptations that every single one of us must resist. How can we identify how vulnerable we are before we fall into an area of temptation?
Pitfall can range from small mistakes to disastrous failures. They are not limited to moral failing or misappropriation of funds. However, there are possibilities that we can incur terrible costs to ourselves through our poor decision that trigger crises that we fail to recover from. So, be it small or large, pitfalls reveal the underlying fault lines in our lives as leaders in organisations. Failings of personal character often stem from a lack of clear biblical values and faith convictions. If we are not careful to watch ourselves, these fault lines will be exposed and deepen.
BEFORE A FALL
Testimony: A couple, upon receiving retirement funds, invested in a property abroad without doing research on the project. That was the beginning of their nightmare. The project was delayed and took four years to complete. But there were defects here and there giving the couple another six months to settle. During that period of time they travel to check the progress of their property which caused them anxiety and time. The property stood empty for a long period until they found a tenant. The agony went on for twelve years as they held on the property. When they came to their senses and listened to advices given by mentors, they sold the property. Although they did lose money, at least they were able to focus on family without having the management of the property always on their minds.
What causes these falls? Some pitfalls are rooted in:
2. Family issues. If the leader is experiencing severe marital issues and is unable to keep his own house in order, this disqualifies him from leading in the house of God.
3. Competency gaps. These gaps include a lack of diligence, gifting or capacity in the leader’s area of service. He may also clash with other co-workers due to his relative incompetence in fulfilling and contributing his part to the team.
4. Submission and authority issues. If a leader violates God’s authority structures, he loses his authority. Without accountability structure in place, we may end up following our own desires, and open the door for lawlessness and rebellion to take root in our lives.
5. Poor communication and conflict resolution. If the team has poor communication channels and conflict resolution process, then the disagreement might escalate into a destructive conflict. As a result, the relationship also becomes vulnerable to spiritual attack, carnal desires of power and revenge, politics and other divisive activities. Remember, it takes a small disagreement to pull a team apart.
6. Money and administrative matters. Some common financial and administrative issues in leadership are poor financial management, embezzlement, falsifying of records, cover-ups and other illegal acts that are uncovered in the course of an audit. Jesus reminds as that one who is faithful with little will also be faithful with much (Luke 16: 10-12).
7. Wrong relationship, friendships and company. We will be led astray if we follow the counsel of the ungodly or spend too much time in bad company (Psalms 1: 1-3; 1 Corinthians 15: 33).
8. Pride. This is often manifested in an independent and self-sufficient spirit. In our inflated view of ourselves, we become unteachable, take credit for others’ success and eventually become vulnerable to falls (1 Peter 5: 5).
9. Sexual sins. This begins with failure to resist temptation due to unmet emotional needs. Leaders can set themselves up for a fall if they do not establish rigorous boundaries to guard temptations with regard to the opposite sex.
10. Empty emotional tanks. When leaders fail to address stress, anxiety and other issues, but continue to function on an empty emotional tank, this will have a negative effect on other areas of their lives. The negative effect includes ① physical which is, for example, exhaustion; ② mental, they are for example discouragement and depression and ③ volitional such as making poor decisions, often on impulse.
11. Failure to grow spiritually. This happens when leaders slide into their comfort zones and do the basic minimum. There is no longer a fresh hunger or thirst in worship and studying the Word. As a result, there is no new revelation (1 Samuel 3: 1) and this is the beginning of spiritual backsliding.
PERSONAL BAGGAGE
Insecurity
Many insecure leaders have an orphan spirit. The root of their insecurity can be traced to problems in their spiritual lives. These leaders often struggle to embrace and experience the love of Father God. While they are able to call on God as Father with their lips, their hearts struggles with an unworthiness to approach Him.
The orphan spirit drives leaders to become very competitive and behave negatively toward others. When leaders are insecure, we see it in their comparison of themselves to others, a craving for more power and a fear of God’s judgment. Insecure leaders also struggle with a spirit of poverty and tend to serve from greed rather than generosity.
If we are rooted and established in the love for God, we know that our heavenly Father will protect us, provide for us and take care of our lives. When we are able to experience those truths and find joy and peace in Him, we can then leave matters such as our promotions or financial status into His hands (Galatians 3: 17).
When we encounter a leader who displays these characteristics or recognise such tendencies in ourselves, we need to be discerning.
What is the difference between discerning and judging? The latter comes with an element of finality; only God is the ultimate Judge. When we discern, we do so to ascertain the mixture of good and evil.
For example, we may detect insecurity in a leader who is very involved in a ministry, but whose actions show that he is on a performance treadmill and relies on his own competence and the approval of others for his happiness. Our observations should cause us to examine ourselves and ask: Is my security in God’s provision or my job description? Am I resting in Him or depending on my own ability to get ahead?
It is important for us to recognise that the titles and positions we held today are temporary and will be passed on to someone one day. Are we prepared for that day?
My position as senior pastor is a role which I fill only temporarily, until God appoints a successor. When that time comes, my title, connections and privileges will no longer matter. This is why we must hold all these things loosely. Only the Word of God and His promises are to be held tightly. Our families, possessions, houses and cars are to be enjoyed in their season and let go of when the time comes.
Unhealed Hurts
A leader who requested prayer for a lump in her breast, fearing it was cancerous. I posed this question to her: “Do you have an unresolved relational conflict?” She admitted that she did. She had a misunderstanding issue with her sister few months back and the two of them had fallen out.
I suggested that they reconcile and see how that might affect her physical condition. The leader took my advice. She and her sister made up eventually. Some days later, this leader went for a follow-up appointment and the scan revealed that the lump had disappeared!
Are we willing to let the Bible do its work as a mirror for our hearts (James 1: 23)? Scripture points to bitterness as the root of many of our troubles, including sickness, unforgiveness, quarrelling and fighting. Hebrews 12: 14-16 puts it: Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiles; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
Though we live in a fallen world and unfairness exists, we can choose how we want to respond to situations: we either choose to throw stones at others or we practice unity and maintain peace with them.
Part of being an outstanding leader is learning to control the way we respond to offensive situations.
Battling Rejection
No one likes to be rejected, especially by family and friends. Suppose our friends organise a lunch gathering without telling us. That’s rejection!
If a leader faced with the situation above, he might start assuming the worst. “So, they don’t want me? Well, I don’t want them either!” he might think. But he knows his team members well, it is possible that someone simply forgot to invite him. He can either respond bitterly or choose a peaceful matter to find out why he was not called and clear up any misunderstandings.
Today, we may be the targets of vulgarities, cyber-bullying and other kinds of online abuse on social media. Besides that, there are also malicious, vindictive and cruel people out there who may not put much thought into the effect of their words and actions. As Christian leaders, we need to learn to handle such situations and people with grace and sensitivity, and choose not to let these situations offend us.
The Company We Keep
As leaders, the people we surround ourselves with will affect the way we lead. So, we should surround ourselves with those who add value to our life and help us multiply our efforts. Similarly, we should move away from people who might subtract from our lives.
But what if such people need us? Then, remember our role as leaders is to minister to them, help them and add value to their lives. Any good relationship must add value to the lives of the people involved. The Bible says to stay away from “brothers” who are continuously divisive (Romans 16: 17; Titus 3: 10). We must know who to keep ministering to and who to separate ourselves from, or the divisive spirit and bitterness will trip us.
We hope you are enlightened by the above sharing. Do follow us next week. Have a blessed week. Goodbye!
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