Qualifications and Responsibilities of Leadership – Part I
From The HeartPublish date: 07/22/2012
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall bow down and worship before You, 28 For the kingship and the kingdom are the Lord’s, and He is the ruler over the nations. Psalms 22:27-28 AMP
Daniel answered, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever! For wisdom and might are His! 21 He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding! Daniel 2:20-21 AMP
It is GOD who is in charge of the times and the seasons. Wisdom and might are His. He brings kings up and brings them down. All wisdom has its source in Him. And He is the ruler over ALL the nations.
I have counsel and sound knowledge, I have understanding, I have might and power. 15 By me kings reign and rulers decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges and governors of the earth. Proverbs 8:14-16 AMP
Not everyone on earth is IN authority over others, but absolutely everyone is UNDER someone else’s authority. The Supreme Authority in the universe is Almighty God. If you are in a leadership position, then you are accountable to God! No matter who you are, you are going to need His help to be a leader of men.
Leaders are responsible, before God, far more than someone who is not in leadership, because they are responsible for ALL those under their jurisdiction. No matter who you are, and whether you believe in God or not, you WILL give an account to Him for your life. The person, who realizes that they will have to give an account to God, is much more likely to follow God’s principles for life and leadership than the person who doesn’t. However, God’s principles for successful leadership and prosperous societies apply to both the believer and the unbeliever – for the government and courts as well as the Church. Each one of them will be held accountable before Almighty God.
Woe to those [judges] who issue unrighteous decrees, and to the magistrates who keep causing unjust and oppressive decisions to be recorded, 2 To turn aside the needy from justice and to make plunder of the rightful claims of the poor of My people, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey! 3 And what will you do in the day of visitation [of God’s wrath], and in the desolation which shall come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you deposit [for safekeeping] your wealth and with whom leave your glory? 4 Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, and they shall fall [overwhelmed] under the heaps of the slain [on the battlefield]. For all this, [God’s] anger is not turned away, but His hand is still stretched out [in judgment]. Isaiah 10:1-4 AMP
A great leader is also always going to be a godly and God-fearing leader.
1. A great leader has wisdom and understanding.
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord brings instruction in Wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 15:33 AMP
There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord. Proverbs 21:30 AMP
Since wisdom and understanding come from God, any leader who does not respect God’s absolute authority, is going to be a leader who falls far short in their leadership. Since you cannot fight God and win – any leader who defies God’s authority, laws and principles is doomed to fail and also to have a very negative impact on those they govern.
2. A great leader is one who can command the willing respect of those under them.
Choose wise, understanding, experienced, and respected men according to your tribes, and I will make them heads over you. Deuteronomy 1:13 AMP
Respect is earned. Respect is earned when a leader leads by example and proves himself or herself to be honest and trustworthy. True respect is commanded, not demanded. You can TRY to demand respect, but it won’t be true respect, it will be nothing more than fear of retribution from the leader.
3. A great leader is conscientious.
You shall not be partial in judgment; but you shall hear the small as well as the great. You shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God’s. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.
Deuteronomy 1:17 AMP
He appointed judges throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 And said to the judges, Be careful what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord, and He is with you in the matter of judgment. 7 So now let the reverence and fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking of bribes. 2 Chronicles 19:5-7 AMP
The king who faithfully judges the poor, his throne shall be established continuously. Proverbs 29:14 AMP
A conscientious leader or judge is one who is controlled by, and acts according to their conscience. They are scrupulous with the law. Every aspect of the law – whether large or small – is important to them, just as it is to God. God’s word tells us that if we transgress one law, it’s as if we’ve transgressed ALL of them. A great leader is meticulous, careful, painstaking, and particular about doing what is right. They are not loose, or lazy, or compromised, but they set a standard and they keep to that standard at all times.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:18 KJV