As a Christian, by what standard do you measure your leadership choices?
By God's?
By your own?
By the world's?
Do you make your leadership choices according to strength, money, loud music, catchy slogan or jingle, empty words, emotions, popularity?
Or do you choose your leaders according to their lifestyle, their heart, their behavior—e.g. a future leader blasting loud worldly music on Sunday mornings is a good indication that the candidate places flesh over Spirit.
Remember David? God chose him to be king of Israel, not because of his stature or appearance, but because God looked on the inner man, which is of great value to the Lord:
1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
1 Peter 3:4 (KJV)
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Do we consider these things in our choices of leadership? Or, is the story of David just a meaningless story?
The Bible says the Old Testament was written for our learning:
Romans 15:4 (KJV)
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
As Christians, the Lord says that we are supposed to prove all things:
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV)
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
The Lord says, if any leader consents not to the wholesome words of the Lord Jesus Christ he is is foolish, proud and to be rejected:
1 Timothy 6:3-5 (KJV)
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing... from such withdraw thyself.
These are our standards as believers. Does the Word of God take a back seat to our own ideas?
Christians who proclaim they want God's will for leadership choices—let's put that to the test:
God says in His Word, follow after righteousness (1 Timothy 6:5). Does your choice reflect a righteous leader?
Do you support leadership that shows righteousness in character, in attitudes, in behavior—or at least the closest thing to it?
Or, do your choices reflect the wisdom of this world—strong, proud, hard words, tough, etc.?
Remember Jesus Christ, the humble, meek, Lamb of God, of Isaiah 53 who changed everything? Is Christ-likeness included in our selection process? Or do you base your decisions on the words of candidates? Truly, the mouth says one thing, but the heart and our behaviors say another.
Christian groups and leaders say that they pray for wisdom and the Lord's will when it comes to leadership choices, but do they really follow the Lord's wisdom or their own?
If you really desire to know the will of God—look into His Word! The will of God is revealed in His written word, the Bible. In it, He says to His people such things as follow after righteousness (1 Timothy 6:5), and regarding their leaders, follow them as they follow Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
These are standards of leadership that God has given us in His Word and reveals His will for us. As such, we are supposed to seek leadership that is as close to that as possible—for our own good.
God has granted many people the freedom to choose their leaders (in some places, there is no choice). The people of God say they want God's will yet make choices based on their own emotions, wisdom, and ideas. The Lord calls this serving Him with the mouth but with a heart that is far from Him:
Matthew 15:8 (KJV)
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Consider these things when you say you want His will for your leadership choices while ignoring or rejecting His counsel. Surely, one day we shall reap the flesh we have sown if we reject His counsel for our leadership choices.
A fictional account of what the Lord may be saying to those who choose their leaders based on worldly philosophy:
"You've been praying for My leading regarding your leadership decision but fail to follow My Word. I have commanded righteousness, yet you heap up to yourselves leaders who are not righteous. The people honor me with their lips and say that they want My will, yet choose leaders who do not fear me. They seek their own will instead of Mine and take counsel from the world instead of seeking counsel from Me. You will reap what you sow."
When Christians say they want the Lord's will for their leadership choices but do not care enough to seek His will from His Word—it is just 'Christian speak'. Let us as believers practice due diligence in our selections for leaders. Let it not be said that we were sleeping when a terrible leader comes upon us. Rather, let it be said that we saw it coming and we voted against it based on what we understand from the word of God regarding the will of God for our leadership choices. Who knows, our choices in righteousness may even prevent a terrible leader from gaining control.
