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Script: Yvette l Narrator: Josh l Mix: Yujie
Hello, it is great to meet you again! Before we move on, let us re-cap what we have covered the past ten weeks.
There are seven keys of outstanding leadership and they are:
Under the first key, the Person of the Leader, there are four parts which we discussed three consecutive weeks. Then there are another four parts under the second key, Perspective of the Leader. Today, we shall discuss the third of the five parts under the Power Source of the Leader – the Light of the Word.
What is the light of the Word?
We often mention John 8: 12 and Psalm 119: 105 when we talk about the light of the Word.
John 8: 12 says, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” And Psalm 119: 105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
When one walks in darkness, he is unable to see where he is heading to and whether the path is smooth or filled with pebbles. For believers, spiritual darkness means failing to walk in victory. Those who walk in darkness misunderstand and constantly take offence. And they stumble in life every now and then.
When we follow Him, we will never walk in darkness. Psalm 119: 105 reminds us that when we have the Word of God as our lamp, our path will be lit up. We know the direction to take because the path is clear and brightened.
What paths are these? They include the pathways of our thoughts and emotions, and how to travel through life. In our relationship, when there is light, we will know how to respond to struggles, decide on solutions and engage others for assistance.
Psalm 27: 1 also reminds us that the Lord is our light and we need not fear. This light comes from His Word. A life founded on His Word will be strong, productive and effective. Then we can cope with the demands of life.
Why do we need to build a strong Word-life?
John 6: 63 says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Obviously, the Word instructs us on how God wants us to live so that we may grow in our ability to handle problems and trials in life.
How does the Word strengthen us? Jesus said that His words are spirit and life – that is, every time we partake of the Word of God, we receive life in our spirits, like helium being pumped into a balloon.
However, our spirit-man has a certain capacity. And as we grow spiritually, we increase the amount of life and power we draw from the Lord. It is like our physical stamina. We might only be able to run one kilometre initially. As we keep on exercising, our stamina improves and we can run further without running out of breath. It is the same with the Word of God; partaking of God’s Word strengthens our spirit-man and increases its capacity for further strength and endurance.
Joshua was counselled to meditate on the Word day and night, advice repeated in the opening of Psalm 1. A deep, abiding knowledge of God’s Word transforms us into fruitful and competent leaders whose works will prosper us.
Impressively, there is a saying that sums up God’s provision through Scripture and the Spirit’s guidance. That is, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime.” When God gives us good things directly, He gives us the capacity and skill to make our ways prosperous. This is found in Deuteronomy 8: 18 (NIV), “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” In simple, He gives us the fishing rod and a good place to fish, not the fish. He instructs us through the Word of God so that we will be “thoroughly equipped for every good work” as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3: 16.
When we meditate on the Word, we will be fruitful in every time and season.
The psalmist writes: “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” The more familiar we are with the Word, the more we recognise sin for what it is and avoid it. This helps us overcome numerous consequences involving character and morality.
Is the Word of God stored well in our hearts to keep us from opening the pornographic website when we are alone on our laptop at 2am? Will the Word of God restrain us to guard our tongues and prevent us from gossiping?
Jeremiah 17: 9 reminds us that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked”. The Word of God restrains us from doing the wrong thing and constrains us to do the right thing, so our consciences will be clear and “without offense toward God and men” (Acts 24: 16).
Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts
The Word is a source of wisdom above and beyond any human teacher. If we get into the Word and meditate on it, we will gain more wisdom and insight than our enemies, teachers and those who are older than us. Through understanding of the Word, we grow to properly discern good from evil (Hebrews 5: 14).
But God provides us with a weapon – the Word itself:
… Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Revelation 12: 10-11)
Jesus used Scripture to resist the devil (Matthew 4). Likewise, Paul’s counsel is to fight with the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6: 17).
The words of Scripture have power to nullify the works of the evil. This is why we can command, “In the name of Jesus, get out!” and “We come against you – unclean spirit, by the blood of the Lamb!”
We have the authority to cleanse any place of evil spirits. We overcome worry and stress by the Word and consequently, receive the peace of God in their place.
HOW TO UNLEASH THE WORD
Proverbs 18: 21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” By our words, we bless others, not curse or destruct. We must realise the potential significance of words spoken over our lives, for example, from parents to children and from pastors to their congregation.
However, there are many negative words spoken by the world around us today. We, believers, represent God and should do what He does – in and through our words, display mercy and grace, encourage more than criticise and coach more than ridicule.
If we truly want to bless others, pray the Word of God over our circumstances and people in our lives. Pray over and bless our families, children, colleagues and church leaders.
Colossians 3: 16 says, “Let the Word of God dwell in you richly…”. It is not an option. It is a command! As we obey God’s command, the Word flows in and out of us all the time. As we pray the promises of His Word and align ourselves to God’s will, He will answer our prayers:
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14: 12-14)
Does God want us to remain healthy? Yes.
Does He want us to have strong marriages? Yes.
Does He want us to be channels of blessing to others? Of course!
Does He want us to have peace, good relationship with our colleagues, and pleasant working environments? Definitely!
All these blessings come through prayer and following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. It starts from using God’s Word to speak into our life situations confidently, with authority and upon our faith convictions. As we pray the Scriptures using our own re-wording ‘versions’, with His truths that we have already caught and meditated upon, it strengthens us until we eventually experience the peace of God in that situation.
We pray that you are blessed with the Light – His Word – today. God’s Word always encourages us to move on wholeheartedly in whatever situations. It is a strength that pushes leaders forward and towards a set goal.
Next week, we shall study the fourth part of the Power Source of the Leader. It is known as Developing a Strong Word-life. May God bless you with a wonderful day. Stay tuned and goodbye.
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Excerpted from outstanding Leader by Pastor Daniel Foo; first published by Armour Publishing Singapore and the book can be purchased from