Issue #66, October 5, 2011
Servant leaders know what to avoid! The Bible provides many instructions for servant leaders to ‘avoid,’ ‘run away from’ or ‘stay away!’ As I evaluated these instructions I found most of them centered around two categories: people and evil. In the last issue we looked at the kind of people that leaders avoid; in this issue we’ll examine the second major area: evil. Paul challenges us, “Avoid every kind of evil.” (1Thessalonians 5:22) We all face plenty of temptations no matter what we do. But servant leaders learn the art of avoiding evil as they guard against three areas in which every leader will be tempted.
Avoid the temptation of idolatry.
“Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14) Idolatry seems like an old fashioned word which brings up images of bowing down before physical statues. But at its heart idolatry is simply putting anything before God. As a leader I am tempted to set my own goals and work towards their fulfillment. I can become obsessed with plans to grow or produce a profit. These are good things but can quickly capture the place in my heart that only God should fill. Servant leaders take time to nurture their own relationship with God and recognize the truth of Jesus’ words, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Avoid the temptation of individualism.
Those who lead organizations, groups or businesses are very capable individuals and can easily think that they are able to lead alone. Servant leaders acknowledge that they need others to help them on their journey. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) Servant leaders avoid the temptation to lead alone. They find mentors who speak wisdom into their lives. They find persons to whom they can confess their sins in obedience to James 5:16. They cry out to God for deliverance from the tyranny of self-sufficiency. They humbly recognize that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but strength.
Avoid the temptation of immorality.
Servant leaders take seriously Paul’s command, “Flee from sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18) Running away is typically seen as a sign of cowardice, but with sexual temptation, fleeing is the mark of a wise leader! All of us are faced with daily temptations in this area. The internet has made pornography easily and privately available to all. We often work in close relationships with persons of the opposite sex. Business lunches or counseling sessions can quickly create emotional attachments. Servant leaders recognize these dangers and set personal boundaries to guard themselves. They recognize their own vulnerabilities and the locations or times in which they are most likely to fall. They seek out trusted friends to help them maintain their integrity in this area. This is such a significant area of temptation for leaders that we will examine it more closely in our next issue.
Servant leaders consciously create boundaries in their lives to avoid these temptations. Take a moment to reflect on how you are doing as a leader in avoiding these three areas. Use the questions below as a starting point. If you find areas in which you have not successfully avoided, quickly run to our God of Grace who is eager to work in your life and mine to make us more and more like Jesus!
For further reflection and discussion:
- What things in my own leadership am I tempted to put before God? (Reflect prayerfully on each of the following: Money/profit, success, popularity, comfort, self-effort, my own strategy, my own giftedness/ability, family, my own resources, etc.)
- Have I ever recognized my own tendency towards individualism? In what way is this reflected in my leadership? What is the root cause of the individualism in my heart? Have I deliberately asked others to mentor me, hold me accountable, and walk with me?
- What steps have I taken to flee sexual immorality? Have I set healthy boundaries to protect myself from unnecessary temptation? Are there secret sins in this area of my life that I have not shared with another person for prayer and accountability?
Other scriptures for reflection and study:
Idolatry: Col. 3:5; 1 John 5: 21; Ezek. 14: 6; 1 Cor. 6:9, 11; Rev. 21:8
Individualism: Ec 4:9; Joh 8:16; Mt 18:19-20; Jas 5:16; Ro 14:7
Immorality: 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Cor. 5:9, 11; 1 Thes. 4:3; Prov. 5:8