Issue #146, January 7, 2015
After Adam and Eve’s first sin, David’s affair with Bathsheba is perhaps the most widely known failure of all time. It is ironic that after all the great lessons we have learned from David’s life, we read in 2 Samuel 11-12 the sad story of lust, adultery, and murder. Yet even in this tragic account, servant leaders can learn several valuable lessons from David about sin and failure.
Servant leaders sin.
David was a man after God’s own heart with a passion for worship and a desire to please God. But his vulnerability was revealed when he saw Bathsheba from his rooftop and acted on his human instincts rather than God’s instruction. His actions remind us that even leaders after God’s own heart are human and prone to sin. The point may seem obvious, but leaders often forget that they are vulnerable. Leaders focus on vision, action, and success, which often leads to a sense of invincibility. It is easy to hear of a leader’s failure and think “That could never happen to me.” David’s experience, and that of many others, shows us that it could happen to any of us. Most leaders are severely tempted in at least one of the big three areas of money, sex, or power. Servant leaders recognize that they are vulnerable and ask God to guard their hearts in the areas of greatest temptation.
Servant leaders repent.
David’s repentance is nearly as well-known as his sin. After months of cover-up, David finally poured out his heart to God, For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me (Psalm 51:3-5). David’s repentance was specific, genuine, and complete. He did not make excuses; he agreed with God’s standard. He acknowledged that it was not simply an issue between him, Bathsheba, and her husband; it was ultimately a sin against God. He recognized that this failure was an expression of his sinful nature. His repentance gives all servant leaders hope in the grace of God to forgive even our greatest sin.
Servant leaders continue.
In his famous prayer of repentance after he pleads with God to forgive his grievous sin, David makes an astounding statement, “Then I will teach transgressors your ways” (Psalms 51:13). David had a desire that even in his failures God could use him to influence others. When we fail, our natural tendency is to either ignore the sin, or to see it and then assume God can no longer use us. Servant leaders do not accept either option. Instead they allow God to take their failure and use it as a means to bless others! After his sin, David would be more keenly aware of his own weakness and more appreciative of God’s grace. He would be a more broken leader and a more gracious teacher. He understood what Paul would later explain, “God’s power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This should not encourage us to sin, but it should inspire all servant leaders to know God can take our failures and make us better leaders. Servant leaders don’t quit when they fail; they continue.
Leadership success is not dependent on perfection, but it is critical that all servant leaders learn to fail forward. The question is not if you will need this, the question is when.
For further reflection and discussion:
Read the entire account of David’s sin in 2 Samuel 11-12 and his repentance in Psalm 51.
- Reflect on one of your most significant sins. In what way might God want to use that for you to teach others His ways? Have you been free to do this? Why or why not? How does your own failure increase your effectiveness in teaching others?
- Reflect on the three areas of temptations for leaders: money, sex, power. Which of these is the greatest temptation for you personally? What safeguards do you place in your life to guard against this temptation? What can you learn from David’s story that can help you in this area?
- Reflect on the leadership of someone you know who, as far as you know, has never admitted a mistake. How does this impact their leadership ability?
- David remained in leadership after his sin, and from him we learn to continue even after mistakes. Are there times when it is necessary to step out of a role after a failure? What determines when this may be helpful?
Credit: Failing Forward is the title of an excellent book by John Maxwell on how leaders can deal with failure.