Dr. Dennis Deese
“STRENGTHENING OUR WEAKNESSES”
(The Leader’s Weakness)
I SAMUEL 25:1-44
This chapter comes on the very heels (less than a week) of one of the most tremendous victories of David’s life. What a contrast! Here he nearly took a life long plunge to the bottom in a moment of weakness.
We all have our weaknesses. But admitting that and doing something about is not always easy. As a matter of a fact, admitting it is even easier than doing something about.
A leader has no choice if he is to survive and accomplish his God given responsibility. Why? Because leadership starts with being (derived from a root word meaning “to engrave” and might well be called the signature of our soul). Not doing nor results but being.
This requires work. Working on ourselves to be the best we can be for Jesus. Where do you start? Well that varies from person to person. However, there are some common areas every leader must give serious consideration to and develop the habit of strengthening these areas in their personal and inward life.
As we strengthen these major areas of our life, it will filtrate into the other areas of our life that are directly related to them. In other words, these main areas are the gateways to the desired area of needed change.
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct. (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
Every leader must develop and strengthen their:
I. RECOGNITION 25:12-13, 33 (developing a conscientious awareness of the following areas on a continual basis) Leaders cannot afford to be oblivious to these.
We need to recognize our:
A. Vulnerability (24:5-7; 25:34) We have an enemy! Success is a life of repeated good habits.
B. Disposition (25:13) [state of mind; inclination; the predominant or prevailing tendency of an individual.]
We must recognize and admit our weaknesses. Is it inclined to a Christlike response or a fleshly (self-centered or defensive) reaction? If you are going to survive until the end, as a leader, you have to develop a high level of resistance (to temptation) and resilience.
C. Motivation (25:4-8; 21-22) Are we motived by the blessings or the blesser? Do we seek to please men or God?
II. RECEPTIVITY 25:23-35; *33 & *35
A. Closed mind
“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” (Proverbs 1:5)
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)
“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.” (Proverbs 19:20)
“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.” (Proverbs 22:17)
“Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:9)
B. Cluttered mind
C. Clear mind (how do you make a dirty widow [that which through which you view] clear? By cleaning it! We need to clean our minds! Which leads us to the next area of thought
III. RESOLUTION 24:5-6, 12; 25:34&30 (the act of resolving or determining, firmness of purpose)
As Christians, we have made a resolution. As a leader, those who have accepted responsibility in the kingdom, we have a greater responsibility because we have resolved to help others find and fulfill their resolutions for God. If we are not faithful to the commitments we have made to the Lord, then obviously we can’t teach others.
The of our resolution
A. Object - God’s purpose (25:39) Sin will hinder its fulfillment
B. Importance - Our testimony
C. Substance - Our thinking
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Each aspect of our resolution (object, importance & substance) is found in this New Testament revelation.
1. Humble thinking
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
(1 Corinthians 10:12)
2. Sober thinking
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)
3. Holy thinking
“Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;” (1 Corinthians 13:5)
4. Confident thinking
“Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:” (1 Peter 2:23)
5. Eternal thinking
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)
