December 11, 2024

One of the profound mysteries of the Christian faith is that God came to be with us in the person of Jesus! One of the many names of Jesus is Emmanuel which means “God with us.” (See Mt. 1:23). Theologians call this the incarnation which means that in Jesus the divine spirit of God and human flesh were united. John calls Jesus the Word and summarizes it in this way:

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14, NIV).   

The incarnation, when God came to be with us, changes everything! And in the incarnation, Jesus models the way for serving leader to be with those they serve.

Incarnational leaders identify with those they serve.  

“The Word become flesh…” Jesus became one of us so that He could fully understand us. He was born as a helpless child and went through the normal process of growing up. He experienced pain, exhaustion, temptation, hunger, betrayal, etc. so that He would understand what those He served experienced in life. The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses because He was tempted as we are. (Hebrews 4:15)

Some leaders rise in power and authority and forget what it was like to be on the other side of leadership. They forget the growing process they went through and the many mistakes they made along the way. They fail to identify with those they serve. But serving leaders see themselves as human and recognize that those they serve are also humans. They call for growth, but they also sympathize with failures. Serving leaders identify with those they serve.  

Incarnational leaders relate with those they serve.   

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus came to live with us! A paraphrase (The Message) says that Jesus “moved into the neighborhood.” Jesus spent most of His time with the people He came to serve. He ate with them, walked with them, worked with them, laughed with them and cried with them. He built strong relationships with them.  Jesus laid aside His rights and privileges as the King of Kings and related with others in a natural winsome way. He came to be with them, not over them.

Some leaders seek to distance themselves from those they serve. They insist on special privileges and titles that distinguish themselves from followers. But serving leaders follow the example of Jesus. They lay down their rights and bridge the gap between leaders and followers. They do not seek to dominate or dictate but build genuine relationships with the ones they serve. Serving leaders relate with those they serve. 

Incarnational leaders share with those they serve.  

“We have seen his glory….full of grace and truth.” Jesus was incarnational and human but He was also a leader. He had a mission to accomplish and part of that was to reveal His plan to His disciples. He shared with them a different way to live and a different way to lead. He shared truth with them that was perfectly balanced with grace.  

Some leaders share plenty of truth but with very little grace! Others show so much grace they never get around to the truth. Serving leaders share both grace and truth.  

Some leaders start by sharing truth and see their only function as getting people to do what is expected and produce the desired results. But serving leaders follow the example of Jesus. They don’t share truth until they identify with and build relationships with those they serve. From that foundation, they share both truth and grace. Serving leaders share with those they serve. 

For further reflection and discussion:

• Take a moment to identify with one person that you lead. Imagine what life is like for them. What challenges are they facing at home, physically, financially, emotionally, spiritually? What difference will this make in the way you lead them?
• Reflect on the level of your relationship with those you lead, especially those at the lowest level in your organization. Do I enjoy being with them? When is the last time we have eaten together? Do we ever do things together that are not related to my role or because of being in the same organization?  
• Leadership is about being with those you serve. In what ways this season can you be with those you serve? Find ways to give more of your presence which is more precious than presents.     
• Have I shared truth with those I serve before I identified with them and build a relationship with them? What was the result in my leadership?
• Do I most often share more truth or more grace? How does that impact my leadership?
• Consider the following verses and reflect more on what it means to be an incarnational leader from the example of Jesus and instructions of scripture: John 4:6; 8:1-11; 11:35; Hebrews 4:15-16; 5:2; Ephesians 4:15; Philippians 2:1-11, Galatians 6:1-3.  In what way can I more closely reflect Jesus’ incarnational leadership?

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

The strength of a building lies in the hidden foundation, and periodically an engineer is called to inspect the foundation for any hidden weaknesses. Since leadership is an inside job, servant leaders are not concerned only with external appearances; they are equally alert to the hidden parts of their lives. Paul warned Timothy to look closely for hidden sins. The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them (1Timothy 5:24). Paul makes it clear that some sins are very obvious and easily recognizable. Others are more easily hidden and may not be obvious for some time. These are the ones to which servant leaders pay special attention, checking for cracks in the foundation of their leadership. Servant leaders inspect the foundation of their lives in three crucial areas.

Servant leaders inspect the foundation of truthfulness.

The fruit of truthfulness over time is trust, and servant leaders guard this trust as they inspect their lives for any hint of compromise with truth. Servant leaders recognize that compromises to truth often occur in very small steps. A small exaggeration often leads to larger misrepresentations of truth. A small unfulfilled promise leads to more and more outright falsehoods when not acknowledged. Servant leaders recognize that they face daily tests of their commitment to speak the truth. They strive to obey the difficult command of Jesus, “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37).

Servant leaders inspect the foundation of thoughts.

The thoughts of a leader are hidden from view but shape their actions. Many of the obvious sins Paul refers to in 1 Timothy 5:25 began in the secret places of the heart and thoughts. Jesus declared, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:19). Jesus makes it clear that this list of “obvious” sins begins with heart and thinking problems. When these are cracks are allowed to continue they develop into habits and patterns of thinking and finally lead to actions. Servant leaders recognize the danger of allowing sinful thoughts to control them. They understand that even though no one can see what they are thinking, there is danger in allowing uncontrolled thoughts to continue. They realize that issues like pornography, lust, or anger will not remain hidden forever, but will eventually be expressed in actions.

Servant leaders inspect the foundation of motives.

Servant leaders are concerned not only with the ‘what’ but the ‘why’ of their leadership. They are aware of the temptation to drift from pure motives to mixed motives…then to wrong motives. Motives are not always obvious to others and need regular inspection. Success in leadership often brings the temptation to continue for different motives. Leaders might begin with a desire to serve, but as they experience success and enjoy financial gain or the approval of others, these factors become the motive for leadership rather than a desire to serve. They regularly ask themselves, “Why did I do that?” as a way to test their motives. In addition, they invite others to also ask them about their heart motives. They listen carefully to David’s caution to Solomon, “the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts” (1 Chronicles 28:9).

Where the inspection reveals flaws, servant leaders act quickly to repent and make the necessary repairs to the foundation of their leadership.

For further reflection and discussion:

• Evaluate your truthfulness with the following questions: Have I recently made any promise which I have not fulfilled? Have I exaggerated any report? Have I said ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when I didn’t really mean it? Can those who follow me believe every word I speak?
• Reflect on your thoughts. Are there hidden things in your thought life which you know are cracks in your foundation? Do you struggle with temptations to look at pictures, movies, magazines, or websites which are not healthy? Who do you need to talk with to help you find victory over your thoughts?
• Think about a recent leadership action or decision you made. Reflect on your motive and ask: why did you do it? Were there any deeper, hidden motives that contributed to this action or decision? Take a moment in prayer asking God to reveal any wrong motives in your heart.

Recently, as I grappled with the complexity of truthful communication across cultures I was struck with the power of Jesus’ simple statement to his followers: “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37). His words call servant leaders from all cultures to make three revolutionary commitments in their speech.

Servant leaders make a commitment to simple speech.

Jesus says, “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” Jesus’ words remind us that we are called to speak simply. Truthfulness is not complicated. Simple speech does not require big or impressive words to demonstrate how educated we are. Simple speech does not require long explanations. Simple speech does not “beat around the bush” on the way to truth. When our speech is simple, we do not need to try to remember what we told to every person; we simply remember the truth and repeat it whenever necessary. People who tell lies must remember well what they said to each person involved or they will soon be in trouble! It is simpler to speak the truth. If someone tells you, “You talk so simply!” would you take it as a compliment or an insult? Jesus calls us to speech which is simple and servant leaders make every effort to keep it that way. Keep your speech simple!

Servant leaders make a commitment to honest speech.

The power of Jesus’ words is profound, “let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” Jesus calls His people to be people of absolute honesty. When they say “yes” it means yes! Servant leaders are people of their word; their speech is characterized by honesty. Leaders are often tempted to twist the truth to their own advantage. It is often more convenient to blame someone else for a failure then to admit our own responsibility. It sounds better to inflate the numbers then to give the real figures. When I am behind on a project and my supervisor asks for a report, it is easier to say that everything is “okay” than to report the truth which may make me look bad or cost me my job. Some cultures value relationships more highly than the truth while others value truth more highly than relationships. Servant leaders recognize that neither truth nor love should be compromised. They follow Paul’s advice to speak “the truth in love…” (Eph 4:15). Servant leaders commit themselves to speak with such integrity that no one doubts the truthfulness of a single statement. Keep your speech honest!

Servant leaders make a commitment to minimal speech.

Jesus says that anything beyond a simple “yes” or “no” is not from Him and in fact comes from the “evil one”! In what ways do we go beyond a simple “yes” or “no”? Consider these examples: “Yes, I think I’ll be able to do that.” “I’ll be there at 10:00 AM exactly.” “No, probably not.” “I’m not lying, it actually happened.” “I saw it with my own eyes, I swear.” “Sure, I can do it, but there will be a lot of difficulties so I’m not sure.” If you didn’t notice the “extras” in the statements, take a closer look! Servant leaders make a commitment to not speak more than what is necessary. They recognize the truth of the proverb, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Proverbs 10:19). Servant leaders stop with a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Keep your speech short!

For servant leaders, Jesus’ word is the simple truth.

For further reflection and discussion:

• On a scale of 1 to 10, how do I rate as a leader in the area of truthful speech? To what extent do those who follow me see me as a person of my word?
• Would those who follow me describe my speech as simple? Why or why not? In what situations do I tend to exaggerate or complicate my communication?
• In what ways does my culture encourage dishonesty? In what ways has my culture influenced my truthfulness or lack of truthfulness? What do I need to do so that my speech is more influenced by the standards of Jesus then by what is expected from those around me?
• Does my culture value truth or relationships more highly? What recent situation in my leadership illustrates this? What changes does Ephesians 4:15 called me to make?
• In what ways do I often add to a simple “yes” or “no”?
• Of the three commitments mentioned, which is most difficult for me to do with my speech: keep it simple, keep it honest, or keep it short? What step can I take this week to change?

The first message preached by Peter was confrontational and courageous and brought him into immediate conflict with the authorities. After his case was heard he left the court and gathered together with other believers and prayed, Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness (Acts 4:29). His prayer reveals the balance of boldness and humility every servant leader needs and calls us to proclaim truth with humility.

Boldness releases a servant leader to proclaim God’s truth.

At risk to his own life, Peter boldly proclaimed truth to a hostile audience. He exposed their sin and called them to repentance and change (see Acts 3). The authorities responded quickly with force and threats and Peter is called to face their charges. These were the men who orchestrated the death of Jesus only a short time earlier. Even in this situation Peter continues to respond with boldness and ultimately refuses to obey their order to stop talking about Jesus! He proclaimed the truth of God in that situation seemingly without regard to what it might cost him.

Servant leaders have courage to speak the truth even in costly situations. They do not wait for everyone to approve since they are not seeking approval from others. They recognize that true leadership is not a popularity contest. Like Peter, they focus on God’s agenda not their own. In the boardroom, pulpit, staff meeting, the teachers’ lounge, or over a meal, servant leaders are not afraid to tackle tough issues. They are not bound by the desire to please people or to be politically correct. Their confrontation often cuts across the status quo and boldly calls people to change. When is the last time you boldly spoke truth?

Humility requires a servant leader to seek God’s power.

It is not difficult to think of Peter as bold, however, humility is not a word we would quickly associate with his leadership! But his prayer reveals that he was no longer relying on his natural leadership abilities for boldness but on God’s strength. Perhaps he recalled his betrayal of Jesus and how he lacked the courage to speak truth in that situation. He had always been quick to speak but at that point realized that his natural leadership abilities were not enough. In this prayer he humbly acknowledges that on his own he did not have the courage needed to keep speaking in the face of the threat of death or imprisonment. He humbly sought and received God’s power.

Those gifted to lead often assume that they have the power to change others. But servant leaders humbly acknowledge their own limitations and lack of ability to bring about a change of heart. Even those naturally gifted in leadership, like Peter, recognize that on their own they cannot produce positive change. They humbly seek God’s power to fill them again and again. When is the last time you asked God for boldness?

When leaders are bold but not humble they do more harm than good. They confront situations with arrogance and a superior attitude, recklessly leading change. When leaders are humble, but not bold, no change takes place. Wrong is not confronted and truth is not revealed. Servant leaders learn from Peter to be bold and humble. This combination leads to the transformation of lives in those we lead. This is not learned from reading a book on leadership or by setting high goals for achievement. It comes by being with Jesus. The authorities could only explain the amazing courage of Peter by recognizing that he had been with Jesus. Servant leaders walk close enough to Jesus to be set free from the need for praise from men. They are close enough to His heart to recognize situations that call for a proclamation of truth. From Him they gain passion to see God’s kingdom established in their home, their business, their church and their world. When that is not happening servant leaders rise up and lead with bold humility.

For further reflection and discussion

• Read Acts 3 and 4 and reflect on Peter’s bold humility. What additional things can you learn from his example? In what way is God asking you to follow Peter’s example?
• In your leadership, do you tend to lead with boldness or humility? What is the result? What steps can you take to bring balance to your leadership in these areas?
• What situations in your home, workplace or church does God want to change? Have you prayed enough about this situation to lead with bold humility? What will bold humility look like in this situation?

In the past two issues we looked at Jesus as an example of a leader who led from a position of intimacy and Martha as an example of one who led towards intimacy. Jesus was able to wash feet freely; Martha couldn’t even wash the dishes without complaining! How can we, as servant leaders, learn to lead from a position of intimacy? Three steps will help each of us on this journey.

Identify hindrances to intimacy.

The first step is to identify things in my own life which keeps me from living and leading from a position of intimacy. Ask some hard questions: Why do I so desperately crave the approval of people? Why do I feel compelled to work so hard? Why is it hard for me to accept criticism? It may take time before the hindrances are obvious. Some common hindrances include pride, pain of rejection we have experienced, a wrong view of God or lies which we accept as truth. Pride often keeps us from accepting God’s love for us. It may seem honorable, but at the root is a focus on self and my own unworthiness. Rejection from others often leaves us feeling deeply wounded and we build emotional walls around the hurt to make sure it doesn’t happen again. This makes it hard for us to believe that God does not reject us. If we view God as a spiritual policeman it will be hard to believe that He longs for a close relationship with us.

Find healing and truth for lies.

Many of the things which keep us from true intimacy with Jesus have roots in lies that we believe about ourselves, God or others. These lies become deeply rooted in our thinking until we accept them as truth. But they are not true! We need healing and deliverance from these lies and will sometimes need help from a friend, counselor or trusted advisor. After we identify false beliefs, we must replace the lies with the truth of what God actually says about the same issue. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). A powerful way to do this is to use the ‘truth declaration’ included below on a daily basis.

Pursue intimacy with God.

Intimacy with God is a relationship and like all relationships it will suffer from neglect but thrive on attention. God is running towards us in pursuit of our hearts and a deep relationship with us. Let’s also run towards Him! One of the ways we can pursue intimacy is through the practice of spiritual disciplines. Bible reading, meditation, prayer, and fasting can all draw us closer to the heart of God. Learning to be still and to listen is a key in experiencing intimacy. Finding our Sabbath rest on a weekly basis is one practice that will help to realign our hearts with His and reminds us that we can stop doing and simply be. In that rest we can again hear the voice of our Father speaking to us as He spoke to Jesus, “You are my child whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:17, paraphrased)

Stop and listen until you hear that voice and it sinks deeply into your soul. Then rise up and lead from a place of intimacy, serving Him who passionately loves you as you serve others. Your world is waiting to see Jesus in your leadership.

For further reflection and discussion:

• Why do I so desperately crave the approval of people? Why do I feel compelled to work so hard? Why is it hard for me to accept criticism?
• What lies have I believed about myself, God, or others which keep me from an intimate relationship with Jesus? (For example, If you do well, you are loved.” “If you look good, you are valued.” “When you work hard, you have worth.” “If you open your heart, you will be hurt again.” “God saved you but He doesn’t really love you.”)
• What is the truth for each lie I have believed?
• In what ways is God inviting me to pursue intimacy with Him? What needs to change in my life this week to make this happen?

Truth Declaration: (repeat out loud daily until you believe every word!)

I am deeply loved by the Almighty God. He values me and calls me His bride. He pursues me in creation, with singing and most of all through His son, Jesus who lived and died because of His passion for a relationship with me. He delights in me and sings over me with love!

I consciously reject the lies I formerly believed about myself and choose instead to believe the truth of God’s word about me.

My worth in Christ is not dependent on what I do. My performance is not the basis of my worth; instead it is rooted in His performance which is perfect. My value comes in my relationship with Him, not in my work for Him. I humbly accept His praise in place of the need to be affirmed by others. I accept with gratitude His unconditional love for me.

I am motivated to serve others by His grace in my life; not by guilt. I can relax and rest in His love and listen to His instructions before acting. I am accepted as I am and empowered by God to become who He calls me to be. He receives all the glory for whatever He can do with my life. I love Him because He first loved me. Today I will live and lead from a position of intimacy with Jesus.

Gossip, the third of the “big three” sins of the tongue, is perhaps the most damaging. Gossip is simply saying things about others that should not be said. Gossip focuses on sensational or private information. It is often untrue, but at times may actually be correct information. However, gossip never meets the biblical standard to speak “only what is helpful for building others up” (Eph. 4:29).

Servant leaders should do all within their power to remove this plague from their own lives and the group they lead. Specifically, they do three things to deal with gossip.

Servant leaders recognize the results of gossip.

Gossip has disastrous results. It has destroyed countless friendships, split churches, damaged work environments, initiated quarrels and ruined reputations. Proverbs 16:28 states, “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.” Servant leaders recognize that the health of relationships within their organization is a reflection of the health of their organization. They see gossip as a deadly cancer that eats their group from the inside. They recognize that the deadly results of gossip warrant their careful attention.

Servant leaders identify the causes of gossip.

Because of the devastating results of gossip, servant leaders think carefully about why they and others are tempted to gossip. Although gossip is deadly, it feels good. Prov. 18:8 says, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels: they go down to a man's inmost parts.” Gossip makes people feel superior to others and may reveal personal insecurity. When I gossip about another person, I feel superior to that person. Gossip often reflects minds which are so small that they are not thinking about things bigger than stories of other people. Servant leaders recognize these various causes of gossip.

Servant leaders train followers to avoid gossip.

Servant leaders recognize that it is their responsibility to influence their group in this area. They model the way by guarding their own tongue against gossip and asking for forgiveness if they fail. They work hard to create an environment of truth and transparency in the organization which discourages gossip. They also help their followers to eliminate this sin. When gossip is present in the group the servant leader quickly acts to stop the spread of the deadly poison. Servant leaders are on guard against the warning signs that gossip is coming. Gossip often follows these three opening lines: “Do you know…?” “Have you heard…?” and “Someone told me….” Effective leaders discourage their group from using these opportunities to gossip or listen to gossip. When they hear someone using these lines, they quickly ask the person to confirm the report, repeat it in the presence of the person being mentioned, or request them not to repeat the matter. Servant leaders call followers to a higher standard and share vision that lifts their eyes to higher callings (See Philippians 4:8 and 1 Timothy 5:13). Their vision inspires action that reduces idle time where gossip flourishes. When necessary servant leaders take appropriate disciplinary steps to keep gossip from taking root under their leadership.

Gossip is so common that many accept it as a part of life. Servant leaders recognize that God’s standard is higher and lead the way in confronting this sin. My prayer is that He will give you wisdom to identify and reduce the gossip in your sphere of influence.

For further reflection and discussion:

• To what extent are you aware of your own tendency to gossip? Reflect on this before asking your spouse or trusted friend for their perspective.
• How much is gossip impacting the group you lead? Do others on your leadership team agree with your assessment? What factors contribute to this? (If your group has little gossip identify what has been done to discourage this behavior. If your group has much, discuss why.)
• Are there steps you should take as a leader after prayer and reflection to show servant leadership in the area of gossip? Share your plan with a trusted friend and agree together when you will take the step(s).

For more reflection consider the following verses: Proverbs 10:18, 16:28, 18:8, 20:19, 26:20; Philippians 4:8; Titus 3:1,2; I Tim. 5:13.

A 2009 study found that men tell lies six times a day and women 3 times! Whether or not that is true, we live in a world filled with deception and lying is one of the big sins of the tongue. God’s expectation is clear, “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices” (Colossians 3:9). How do servant leaders put this into practice in their own lives and with those they lead?

Servant leaders identify the varieties of lies.

Leaders recognize that there are many different ways to tell lies or spread falsehood. (Wikipedia lists 21 different kinds of lies!)

Lying can be done directly or by exaggeration. Leaders often are tempted to exaggerate the numbers or statistics that make them look good. We don't call it lying; we simply say that we are “stretching the truth!” Lying is often done in business to earn money. Products may be misrepresented or claims made that are not true. Financial records or receipts can be changed to increase income. Some tell lies to get a job. Lying can be done simply by giving a false impression and allowing people to believe something about us or a situation which is not true. At other times lying can be done simply by saying nothing!

Servant leaders identify the root cause of lies.

Leaders go beneath the surface to find the root cause of this sin. Why do we lie? Certainly there are many reasons that this sin is so common. We lie to shift blame, improve our self-image; or to control situations, people or outcomes. We lie to avoid confrontation and often assume that a relationship will be destroyed if we tell the truth. But, from my perspective, the primary reason we lie is because of our sinful nature. Lying is natural; no one has to teach us how to do it! When we lie, we reflect the nature of our enemy Satan whose native language is lying (John 8:44). Servant who leaders honestly recognize their own tendency towards deception, repent of their sin, and ask God for His help so that their life begins to reflect His truthful nature. This is a difficult and potentially long battle, especially when we have allowed this sin to take deep root in our hearts and practice. But it must be fought and won.

Servant leaders encourage a culture of truth.

After dealing with lies in their own lives, servant leaders begin to influence others around them to develop a culture of truth. They do this by their example as well as deliberate teaching and training of others. In communication with those who follow servant leaders intentionally tell the truth at all times and deliberately seek to share all that is helpful for their followers to know. They do not hold information from others unless it is absolutely necessary. They set high expectations of truth in their organization by refusing to listen to the lies of others and holding followers accountable to the standard of truth.

Servant leaders earn trust.

What is the outcome of truthfulness? Very simply, it is trust. Over time as followers observe a truthful leader, they respond by trusting the leader. Without trust it's impossible to lead effectively. Servant leaders recognize that serving others requires building trust and they are willing to pay the price to make it happen. As they do so they reap the reward of trust which enables them to lead more effectively. That’s the truth!

For further reflection and discussion:

• When is the last time I told a lie? (Be honest!) Dig a bit deeper. What was the root cause of that lie? In what way was it a reflection of my sinful nature? In what way did it impact my leadership? What have I done to make it right or what needs to be done?
• Are there specific situations in which I am most tempted to lie? What can I do to guard myself against these temptations?
• How do others see my truthfulness or lack thereof? Do my followers know that my "yes" means "yes" and my “no” means “no”? Can they count on me to be a person of my word?
• Reflect on the organization or group that you lead. What level of truthfulness characterizes the group? Are there ways in which my leadership is moving them towards greater truthfulness? Have I confronted lies recently among those I lead?

Take some time to reflect on the biblical teaching of the verses listed below and many others which deal with the topic of lies, truth and deception in Scripture.

Scriptures for future study/reflection: (Lev. 19:11, Num. 23:19, 1 Sam. 15:29, Psalms 5:6, 10:7, 34:13, 62:4, Proverbs 12:19, 14:5, 17:7, 19:5, 21:6, 12:22, 26:28, 29:12, 30:8, Jer. 5:31, 9:3, Ez. 13:19, 22, Hos. 7:13, 11:12 , John 8:44, Col. 3:9, 1 John 1:6,

Leadership Nuggets from Ephesians, #6

Fight. Conquer. Win. Now we’re talking leadership! After emphasizing the importance of knowing our identity, the power of prayer, and leadership from the bottom, Paul closes his book with a call to engage in the cosmic battle that is raging around us. But his reflections on battlefield leadership take us in a very different direction than the latest leadership strategy. What can servant leaders learn from Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 6:10-18 about battlefield leadership?

Servant leaders recognize the enemy.

“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (v. 12) Leadership involves movement which always produces friction. But servant leaders recognize that their battle is primarily spiritual. It’s not about numbers of members or customers. Profit is not the bottom line. Every servant leader is engaged in a cosmic battle against the forces of evil. Servant leaders in the business realm are called to defeat the enemies of greed, competition, and selfishness that drive our economies. Servant leaders in the educational sphere oppose godless ideologies. Servant leaders everywhere are called to set people free from the bondages of mistaken identities, poverty, broken relationships, and spiritual oppression. In our daily leadership it is easy to look at individuals or current challenges as our primary opponents, but Paul tells us that servant leaders keep their focus on the real enemy.

Servant leaders utilize their weapons.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (v. 13) Since the battle is not against flesh and blood Paul points servant leaders to the weapons that are available for the fight. Servant leaders are at the forefront of the battle and need the “full” armor to win. Servant leaders use all that is available to fight. Further, they recognize that they are fighting not for themselves, but for God’s kingdom and for those they serve. They boldly express righteousness and truth in the church and marketplace to fight against corruption and deception. They use faith, instead of clever leadership strategies, to withstand attacks. They pray all the time, in every place, with all kinds of requests. They stand boldly on the truth of the scripture and use it with authority in their offices, boardrooms, hallways, shops, and pulpits.

Servant leaders stand in victory.

“…when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (v. 13) For a time we might see dictators, greedy CEO’s, and false religions ruling our world. But Paul encourages us four times to stand our ground. Servant leaders operate from a position of strength in Christ. We are not retreating; we are defending and fleshing out the victory that Christ already won. We stand as Christ’s servant warriors, bold and confident of our ultimate victory and able to win the battle in the sphere of influence He has given to us.

For further reflection and discussion:

• What am I tempted to see as the enemy in my leadership?
• In what way does God want my leadership to wage war against the real enemy? (Be as practical as possible.)
• Reflect on the specific weapons that Paul lists in Ephesians 6:13-18. How are these weapons used in the realm of my leadership? How does my usage of these weapons make my leadership different than a leader who is not a servant?
• Are there areas in which I have been tempted to give up leading and accept defeat? What does it mean for me to rise up and “stand” in this situation?