Shaping The Leader Inside

Shaping The Leader Inside

According to Forbes Mag, these are the top 10 qualities of a leader:

1. Honesty

2. Ability to Delegate

3. Communication

4. Sense of humor

5. Confidence

6. Commitment

7. Positive Attitude

8. Creativity

9. Intuition

10. Ability to Inspire

This list looks very similar to the Biblical standards given to us by James. He helps us understand the character of a leader by urging us to listen well, react in a reserved and controlled manner, similar to what the beatitude “blessed are the meek” calls for, to be humble, which we can see in the beatitude “blessed are the poor in spirit,” to be a doer rather than spiritual couch potato and controlled in his speech. Check out this advice from James.

James 1:19-27: “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

Here we have Peter picking up on the characteristics of a leader in 1 Peter 2:1.

1 Peter 2:1: Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

From this one verse we see that the leader should avoid intention to harm,

dishonesty, inappropriate speech, and covetousness. In addition, the leader should be of integrity and not say one thing but do another (hypocrisy).

From 2 Peter 1:5 we find both character traits and actions.

2 Peter 1:5: Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance,and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

Peter calls for us to show moral excellence although he does not define moral in terms that we can measure.

Presuming that we can measure it, according to Peter, we should be able to achieve knowledge and then self-control, which seems to be a character trait in that the word for self-control is egkrateia (egkrateia) that is translated as the virtue of one who masters his desires.

Titus 1:5-6: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”

Paul's advice is also sound as he lets us know how to be successful. Notice, that the information given throughout all these scriptures are not given a condescending manner, but as a guideline for success. If we follow these guidelines and not change them making the excuse of variance due to customs or other nonsense, we will see real success as leaders and not just the leaders, but the church as well. In addition, this is not just for the church, but great info for leaders in business and in our communities. Have any question on how this advice could work for you in your exact walk of life. Call us and we can help. Just as GOD’s love, it’s always free.