The Character of Leadership: Corruption Breeds Corruption

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MARY BANKS

The Character of Leadership

Paul instructed Timothy as to the character a leader of God’s people must walk in.

Titus 2:6-7

6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, A pattern of good works:

1. You are to be the example of the word you preach, teach, counsel, or testify of.
2. If you are not an example of what you preach or teach, then you must also examine your motive for working in the ministry.
3. Do you honestly believe that the people you influence really want to be like you? Or, is it possible they know you are not a living example of the word or the position you hold in the Church?
4. What is it about your spiritual walk people would want to pattern themselves after?
5. Do the people you serve really believe that if you die suddenly, it would be well with your soul. If they don’t believe this, then it is obvious you are not the one they want to pattern their life after.
6. They may never confront you, out of fear, or respect; but they know that you are not what the Bible teaches to be a son of God.
7. If the people you influence can’t with a good conscience pattern their lives after you, then it follows that they do not trust you to lead them to Heaven. Nor do they trust you to walk them through the major trials in their life. Therefore, when they really get in need of spiritual help to face their life’s situations and trials, they will seek out those they believe to be a pattern of the message they have been hearing.
8. It is obvious that the word you minister is not a rule of law for your life.
9. Therefore, it also follows that you are lacking in love and concern for the people you influence.
10. Could it be true that your position is more important to you than your spiritual performance?

Uncorruptness: purity, soundness in the faith and integrity in your dealings.

1. The worst thing a leader can do is be corrupt. This is a willingness to be dishonest for some kind of personal gain.
2. Corrupt leaders will even change the meaning of scripture in order to get from the people of God that thing that benefits them.

2 Corinthians 4:1-2

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

3. To be corrupt is to be spiritually unreliable due to a departure from truth and purity of heart.

Uncorruptness

Example:

Matthew 23:1-3

1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:

3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …….

Matthew 23:11-13

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

In this same chapter, Jesus goes on to describe what will happen to those who are discipled by such leaders.

Matthew 23:15

15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

There are many good saints who are sitting under leaders who started out righteous, but along the way, money and power corrupt them. The people of God became merchandise and subjects of the supreme ruler. But Jesus is very adamant here. Those who allow themselves to be discipled by such leaders will find themselves to be twice as corrupt and fit for hell, than the leader himself. This is very serious. God will show no mercy for those who are born of the Spirit of Truth, yet acquiesce to that which they know to be corrupt and ungodly. Even if one does not know where to go if they should depart, they must maintain their integrity towards God, while waiting for the leading of the Spirit. These people Jesus was ministering to, had to wait on the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, before they could depart from the corruption of the rulers of Israel.

Gravity: dignity or sobriety of bearing; importance, significance, seriousness Sincerity: honesty of mind; freedom from hypocrisy

Titus 2:8-10

8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Sober minded: to be of sound mind, which for the sons of God, is to walk in the mind of Christ. This allows you to exercise self control and to examine yourself for loyalty to the faith.

Purloin: to separate or divide, to embezzle or appropriate for one’s own use. This is a word I believe the Lord chose very intentionally for us leaders to consider.

Do we handle the finances of the ministry with integrity? Can the people of God see where their giving is used in the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God? Or, is it apparent to them that funds are being mishandled and misused to build the estate of the leader?

Purloin

However, this word goes quite a bit further than the finances of a ministry. It also means to divide or separate the people of God for the leaders’ power profit. Many are divided from the congregation to become the managers of the kingdom the leader has built for himself. They are trained to manage the spirit of control. They are given privileges others will never have, because they agree with every will and whim of the leader.

These corrupt sons of God, become the eyes, ears, and voice of the leader. They report the slightest sign of free thinking. Now the most horrible attribute of purloining is when leaders separate the people of God from the effectual working of the Holy Spirit in them.

Example: Some Leaders seek to control their flock by convincing them that they are not capable of receiving anything from God other than the Holy Spirit. In other words, all knowledge and understanding of the Word must come directly from the leader. Now this is not to say that sons of God must not be taught and trained in the faith; however, some have gone a bit too far by asserting themselves in the place where the Holy Spirit should stand alone.

We must all take on the mind of Christ as put on display through the apostle Paul.

Ephesians 1:15-18

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,... Finally, consider what Paul instructed Timothy…

2 Timothy 2:15

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

There would be no need to study if we are not capable of understanding what we study.

Beloved, these things ought not be controversy in the Body of Christ. But such leaders who engage in these practices seek a place in the lives of the people that was not given to them by God. This is nothing new. It happened in the early church.

3 John 1:9-11

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Beloved, the Lord is being very merciful and longsuffering with the sons of God. But we must not frustrate the grace of God. Let us all agree to walk in the heart and mind of the Master; for this is fruit and profitable for us all.

Activities & SELF EVALUATION

Take a moment to reflect on the following questions and answer them honestly:

1. What motivates you to be a leader or aspire to a leadership role?
2. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you describe your demonstration of righteous character?
3. Can you recall an instance when you served as a positive example of the principles you preach or teach? Describe it.
4. Have you ever experienced a situation where you compromised your integrity or values for personal gain or recognition in a leadership role?
5. Think of an individual, whether from a biblical context or the present day, whom you consider an exemplary leader to pattern yourself after.

• What qualities do you believe make them a good leader?
• What valuable lessons can you learn from this leader?

6. Do you encourage and create an environment where individuals can independently pursue knowledge and wisdom, or do you tend to control and dictate knowledge to your followers?

Activity 1: Self Evaluation

Engage in a discussion with peers, and use relevant scriptures to support your answers to the following questions:

1. What does it mean to set a pattern of good works as a leader, and why is it important?
2. How can leaders maintain their integrity and avoid succumbing to corruption in their leadership roles?

Activity 2: Group Discussion

I love you all with the love of our Saviour Mary, the apostle of Jesus Christ