Qualifications and Responsibilities of Leadership – Part IV
From The HeartPublish date: 08/12/2012
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
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
10. A great leader is truthful above all.
Moreover, you shall choose able men from all the people — God-fearing men of truth who hate unjust gain — and place them over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to be their rulers. Exodus 18:21 AMP
Proverbs 29:12 AMP - If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will become wicked.
ERV - If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be evil.
A great leader speaks the truth, even and especially when it's not popular to do so. However, it seems that the majority of politicians, law-makers, judges, and even preachers choose to do the exact opposite. Only when a man is founded securely on the Word of God, will personal integrity be a priority to him. Otherwise, he will always choose the path of least resistance and lie when it’s convenient.
Great leaders do not lie themselves and they do not tolerate lying in those who work for them. Many leaders fail because they allow those under them to flatter them and tell them what they want to hear. Firstly, leadership needs to be willing to hear the truth. Secondly, the biggest flatterer is usually your “Judas” anyway. Many leaders fail because they do not immediately expel those who are found to be liars. If you tolerate liars, before long you will be surrounded only by evil, ungodly, unscrupulous people.
A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceitful witness speaks lies [and endangers lives]. Proverbs 14:25 AMP
Lies endanger the lives of good people. Lies, which are not confronted and exposed by the truth, can destroy many lives – even whole nations – and bring down mighty men.
Truthful lips shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is [credited] but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but for the counselors of peace there is joy. Proverbs 12:19-20 AMP
If you are truthful – you will have a good, long, prosperous career. If you are a liar, you will not last very long.
11. A great leader hates covetousness and greed.
Moreover, you shall choose able men from all the people — God-fearing men of truth who hate unjust gain — and place them over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to be their rulers. Exodus 18:21 AMP
Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 A ruler who lacks understanding is [like a wicked one] a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days. Proverbs 28:15-16 AMP
If a ruler or leader is covetous, then they can be bought. They will make decisions based on a money motive. They cannot be trusted to remain impartial or to judge fairly or to administer justice. The people under them are at the mercy of their greed. Money will be more important to them than righteousness and doing what is right.
But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing. 10 For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs. 1Timothy 6:9-10 AMP
Covetousness is a corrupting force and is the cause of many evil acts and much heartache and pain. One of the biggest problems in every nation, today, is that those in leadership have been corrupted by the love of money and have sold out to the highest bidder!
Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Hebrews 13:5 AMP
But the noble, openhearted, and liberal man devises noble things; and he stands for what is noble, openhearted, and generous. Isaiah 32:8 AMP
12. A great leader has a disposition to refuse bribes.
You shall take no bribe, for the bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the testimony and the cause of the righteous. Exodus 23:8 AMP
A great leader is one who has kept their heart free from covetousness and who cannot be bought. Once bribes are taken, there is no hope of justice. You can see, in the countries where bribes are common – from the traffic police on up to the presidents and kings – corruption is the rule and justice is scarce or non-existent. Even the very lives of the people become worthless to the leaders as they pervert justice for monetary gain. There can be no prosperous and peaceful society where its leaders accept and encourage bribes.
So I took the heads of your tribes, wise, experienced, and respected men, and made them heads over you, commanders of thousands, and hundreds, and fifties, and tens, and officers according to your tribes. Deuteronomy 1:15 AMP
Great leadership is godly leadership. When the presidents and kings and law-makers and judges of all the nations - and all those under their command – turn in reverent worship toward the Lord and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – then, and only then, will we see truly great leadership in action, and peace and justice will rule and reign in the nation