August 18, 2009 Defensive Leaders
Today’s Bible Reading: Jeremiah 26, 35, 36; John 20
Scripture Focus:
Jeremiah 26:11 And the priests and the prophets spoke to the princes and all the people, saying, “This man deserves to die! For he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your ears.”
Observation:
When Jeremiah went to the house of the Lord and spoke the words of warning from God, asking the people and priests to change their ways, he was vehemently opposed, especially by the “establishment”—the priests and prophets. They went as far as to ask for a death sentence for Jeremiah.
Application:
One of the pitfalls of becoming a leader is being blind to your own sins and desperately clinging to power no matter what. When someone brings an accusation, or simply disagrees, the one in leadership wants to squash the “rebellion.”
It takes true spiritual maturity not to respond defensively, but to respond with humility, being willing to carefully examine the accusation before God and with the other leaders to see how to respond.
Prayer:
Father God, help me respond with humility when accusations, or even suggestions, are posed.
