Chapter 5: Purity in the Heart of a Leader

Purity in the Heart of a Leader

Leadership places one in a position of influence. People may love their leader. They may also trust their leader. It is also common that saints truly want to bless their leader.

God placed that leader in their hearts.

That creates an enormous responsibility.

The question becomes:

What will the leader do with that influence?

Suppose a leader knows that certain members love him deeply. He also knows that some of those members possess financial resources.

Then the leader develops a personal need. At that moment, purity is tested. The question is not merely whether the need is legitimate. The question is: How will you attempt to get that need met?

The Danger of Subtle Manipulation

A leader can learn how to manipulate without ever directly asking for anything.

• He can mention a need in the presence of particular people.
• He can repeatedly describe a desire.
• He can strategically complain about something he lacks.
• He can “throw out bait,” knowing that someone who loves him will probably respond.
• No explicit request has been made.
• But the intention was present.
• That is the issue.

People may not recognize the manipulation, but God does. God sees the thought before the statement is made. He sees the calculation. He knows why a particular subject was mentioned in front of a particular person.He sees whether the minister is trusting God or trusting personal charisma, influence, relationships, and cleverness. The principle is unmistakable: That is impurity.

God Sees the Intention of the Thought

Purity is not merely refraining from obvious misconduct. Purity reaches into motive. A minister must be able to stand before God without cunning and craftiness operating beneath the surface of his conduct.

There is nothing inherently wrong with honestly saying: “I need this.” There is nothing wrong with stating a legitimate need. The problem arises when we disguise solicitation as casual conversation and intentionally manipulate the affection God has placed in another person’s heart.

That affection belongs to God. The leader did not manufacture it. Therefore, the leader has no right to exploit it. God placed the leader in the people’s hearts. Consequently, abusing that affection is an abuse of something God Himself created.

Transparency Protects Purity

The alternative is transparency. If there is a legitimate need, communicate honestly.

• Do not manipulate.
• Do not bait.
• Do not scheme.
• Do not use spiritual authority to provoke personal generosity.
• And if people do not respond? Remain content.
• Trust God.

This becomes essential to prayer because the minister must be able to come before God with a clear heart.

How can we seek God boldly while knowingly practicing manipulation? Purity gives you the ability to come boldly to the throne of God. That purity must exist not only in what we do, but in why we do it.