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.

1. If you are not an example of what you preach or teach, then you must also examine your motive for working in the ministry.

1. It is obvious that the word you minister is not a rule of law for your life.

1. Therefore, it also follows that you are lacking in love and concern for the people you influence.

1. Could it be true that your position is more important to you than your spiritual performance?

1. 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?

1. What is it about your spiritual walk people would want to pattern themselves after?

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

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.

1. 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.

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

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 corrupted 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?

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.

Activity 1: 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?

1. 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 2: Group Discussion

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?

1. How can leaders maintain their integrity and avoid succumbing to corruption in their leadership roles?

Fidelity: persuasion, to show that you are morally convicted of the truthfulness of God or His instituted authority in your life.

Adorn: to put in proper order, to make ready or apply the Word (doctrine of God), in all situations, under any circumstances or relationships.

We forget the Word when we do not practice that Word.

Create a culture of hunger for the Word of God in your heart. This hunger will come forth in your ministering and will also influence the culture of the church.

Results speak the truth. Don’t overlook this truth. All will know the kind of minister you are by the fruit you produce.

Where your affections lie is a magnet that pulls you out of the faith.

Wisdom from above is easily entreated.

When ministry disturbs the God given peace of the saints who are listening with a pure heart, there is something wrong with that minister’s delivery.

You must be led by God when delivering His Word. You must abide in the anointing while ministering. When you are ministering in the anointing of God, you are then most vulnerable to praise.

Tone and verbiage in ministering matter greatly. When God points it out (error), your response is judged. That judgment will affect your future ministerial opportunities. God will not be able to trust you with His truth or His people.

The more people see of you, the less they see of God unless you are one with Him.

When you are offended with the sin of others, you disqualify yourself as an intercessor. The example is Steven as they stoned him, he forgave. We refuse to forgive those who beguile and mislead the Body.

You don’t have the right to condemn any soul to hell or damnation. When these things are spoken they must be God speaking expressly.

At the pool of Bethesda, it only took healing one of many to glorify God.

Keep your focus on the power which is of God.

Sit and talk about the points of the message you just heard. This allows you to digest the Word.

Endeavor to keep the unity of the faith. If Babel could do all they imagined, then what of the unified church?

1 Corinthians 7:17

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.