What is wrong with so many of our leaders today? As I read the news reports, it is clear; we have a lot of leaders leading out of fear rather than faith. Considering how few leaders are men and women of faith, that doesn’t surprise me.
These leaders, if you can call them that, are worried more about what someone thinks about them or says about them than actually leading the people. Plain and simple, they are afraid.
What is even more concerning to me are the men and women of faith who act the same way. They are leading out of fear rather than faith. They, too, are more concerned with what someone will think or say about them than leading by faith and obeying God.
It has been that way throughout the history of man. There are numerous Biblical examples of men whom God called and equipped to lead, yet at some point, they faltered, leading out of fear rather than by faith in God.
One such example is Saul, the first king of the people of Israel.
O Where O Where Did the Donkeys Go?
Saul may have been tall and handsome (1 Samuel 9:2), but when we first meet him, he doesn’t impress me as a dynamic leader. In this first encounter with Saul, we learn that he has been sent by his father to locate some missing donkeys. Saul sets out with a servant to look for the donkeys and over three days covers 60 miles!
Right away, I have to question Saul’s decision-making skills. What made him think these donkeys had wandered so far from home?
Now out of food, Saul suggests they return home.
Rather than head home, Saul’s servant suggests they go to Samuel the prophet. Saul doesn’t seem to know who Samuel is and has no money to offer Samuel. Thankfully, Saul’s servant knows the prophet, where he lives, and has money as an offering. After consulting with Samuel, Samuel tells Saul to go home. The donkeys have been found.
So far, I am more impressed with Saul’s servant than I am with Saul!
Wait, People! Please Don’t Leave Me!
Early in his reign as king, the Philistines prepared for war against the Israelites (1 Samuel 13). Samuel told Saul to wait with the army for seven days. At the end of the seven days, Samuel would offer a sacrifice and tell Saul what to do.
The men in the Israelite army feared the Philistines and started to scatter. Saul, afraid that his men would all leave him, offered a sacrifice in direct disobedience to God, rather than wait for Samuel.
When confronted by Samuel, Saul admitted that he had offered the sacrifice because he was afraid the men would leave him.
It Wasn’t Me the People Did It!
Samuel told Saul that God would use Saul to wipe out their enemy, the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15). Even the Amalekites’ cattle, sheep, and donkeys were to be wiped out!
Rather than follow God’s instructions, Saul spared the Amalekite king and some of the best of their cattle, sheep, and lambs. When confronted by Samuel, Saul tried to blame the soldiers for keeping some animals. Then, he tried to say the animals were for sacrifices to God.
Again, not wanting to confront the soldiers who kept the animals, Saul chose instead to reject God’s instructions. Saul was more afraid of the men than he was concerned with following God’s instructions (1 Samuel 15:24).
The result of this second act of disobedience, Samuel told Saul, was Saul’s reign ending; another man, more worthy, was to be anointed as king.
Looking over the entire history of Saul’s life, we see this dynamic leader chosen and equipped by God to lead the people of Israel. At times he made wise choices, but at times he led out of fear instead of faith. When he led out of fear, he made bad choices that ultimately cost him his position as king of the Israelites.
We Are Just Like Saul
Leaders, we are no different today. Sometimes, we make wise choices, leading out of faith in obedience to God. However, other times, we lead out of fear. When we lead out of fear instead of faith, we disobey God and make bad decisions.
The only way I know to avoid the trap of leading out of fear is to be on our knees in prayer before God, asking for His reassurance, His direction, and His strength.
Referring to God, Isaiah assures us,
“He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Youths may faint and grow weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31)
If we want to lead out of faith and not out of fear, then we must rely on God’s strength and His power. It’s the only way!
More Articles
I have written dozens of articles on a leader’s character. You can find them by typing “character” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are five of my favorites.
- #389: What Happens When A Weak Leader Fails to Lead?
- #373: Do You Deal with Temptations in The Workplace?
- #348: What Kind of Legacy Are You Leaving?
- #240: Here’s Another Nice Mess You’ve Gotten Me Into!
- #181: Pressure, Pleasure, Power, Pride, and Priorities Lead to Failure
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Do you know someone who led from fear rather than faith? What was the impact on the organization?
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Category: Personal Development | Character
Reading this, I thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who could have enjoyed a comfortable life after he came to America to be a Christian lecturer. But he felt a responsibility to his people in Germany, and went back, to fight in the resistance against Hitler. It cost him his life. But even before he bravely climbed the steps to the gallows, he got down on his knees and prayed. His faith was strong, and fear could not defeat him. We need more leaders like that!
Bonhoeffer was indeed a valiant warrior for the faith and his people. Very few leaders have the courage and strength of conviction that he displayed throughout his life.
You’re right…we need more leaders like him today. Sadly, even the church seems to be lacking in leaders with that level of conviction.