In the journey of leadership, it is vital for leaders to draw lessons from the timeless wisdom found in Scripture.
Acts 27:9-13 presents a compelling account of a Centurion who made three critical mistakes by disregarding God’s guidance. This narrative offers valuable insights for leaders today, reminding us of the importance of trusting in God’s perfect plan, even when it contradicts the advice of experts, the opinions of others, or the circumstances around us.
In the previous chapters, Paul was arrested for preaching the Gospel and put on trial before Felix, the governor, and then King Agrippa. When Paul appealed to Caesar, Agrippa placed Paul in the custody of a Roman Centurion for the journey to Rome. After several days of sailing, they encountered a storm. Paul warned the Centurion not to proceed. He warned the Centurian the ship all the cargo would be lost.
At this point, the Centurion made three mistakes that are common among leaders today.
Mistake #1: Listening to the Expert – Leaders and the Temptation of Human Wisdom
The Centurion faced a pivotal decision when he chose to listen to the ship’s captain, an expert in navigating the sea. However, in his pursuit of their destination, he overlooked the significance of God’s intervention. This mistake echoes the temptation leaders often face in relying solely on human wisdom and expertise when making decisions. While such expertise is valuable, leaders must remember that true wisdom comes from God. Therefore, seeking divine guidance and discerning His voice is essential, even when it goes against the prevailing expert opinions.
Mistake #2: Listening to the Crowd – Leaders and the Pressure of Popular Opinion
The Centurion allowed the crew’s opinions to sway his judgment. Despite clear warnings from God, he succumbed to the pressure of popular opinion. This mistake is pertinent for leaders today, as the weight of public sentiment and the desire for acceptance can influence decision-making. Leaders must resist the temptation to prioritize popular opinion over obedience to God’s leading. Instead, it is crucial to seek God’s guidance and make decisions aligned with His principles, even when they may be unpopular or require going against the crowd.
Mistake #3: Deciding Based on Circumstances – Leaders and the Danger of External Factors
The Centurion’s final error was basing his decision on the seemingly favorable circumstances of fair winds and calm seas. In doing so, he overlooked God’s authority and sovereignty. Leaders today face a similar challenge of making decisions based solely on external factors, such as financial gain, short-term benefits, or convenience. However, true leadership requires seeking God’s will beyond the surface-level indicators. Accordingly, leaders must diligently seek His wisdom, consult Scripture, and rely on prayer to discern His plans, even if they seem contrary to the immediate circumstances.
Conclusion
The account of the Centurion in Acts 27:9-13 holds profound lessons for leaders in the present day. It reminds us of the perils that can befall leaders who disregard God’s guidance and succumb to the allure of human wisdom, popular opinion, or circumstantial evidence.
Leaders must remember that their ultimate authority lies in God and His perfect plans. By seeking His guidance, leaders can make decisions that align with His will, even when it means going against expert advice, resisting popular opinion, or going beyond surface-level circumstances.
As leaders navigate the complexities of their roles, may they humbly embrace the lessons from the Centurion’s mistakes. Let us prioritize seeking God’s will above all else, trusting His “no” as much as His “yes.” In doing so, leaders can lead with integrity, discernment, and confidence while inspiring others to do the same.
Discussion Questions
These questions can serve as a valuable framework for guiding a thoughtful and engaging discussion about the article and how its insights and perspectives apply to our lives today.
- How can leaders balance experts’ valuable insights and expertise with the need to seek God’s guidance in decision-making? Share any personal experiences or examples you have encountered in your leadership journey.
- In what ways have you witnessed or experienced the pressure of popular opinion influencing leadership decisions? How can leaders navigate this challenge while remaining faithful to God’s guidance and principles?
- Reflecting on the Centurion’s mistake of basing decisions solely on favorable circumstances, what are the potential risks or pitfalls of making decisions based exclusively on external factors? How can leaders develop a discerning mindset to differentiate between God’s leading and mere circumstantial indicators?
- Can you think of any instances where you faced a clear warning or felt God’s “no” in a particular decision or direction? How did you respond to it? What were the outcomes or lessons learned from that experience?
More Articles
I have written many articles on obedience to God. You can find them by typing “Obedience to God” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are several of my favorites.
- #538: The Consequences of Moral Relativism: Lessons from the Book of Judges
- #533: The Inspiring Stories of Women Leaders in the Early Christian Church
- #526: 7 Leadership Lessons from A Prophet with Ulterior Motives
- #502: What If Jesus Conducted a Performance Review on You?
- #497: Is God Testing Our Faith When He Asks Us to Wait?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Which of these three mistakes leaders make do you think is most common? And which is the most dangerous?
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Category: Personal Development | Obedience to God
Ah, yes, listening to the crowd. The madding crowd. One would think a wide collection of people can summon wisdom and good decisions, but alas this is not always the case. Often at work the majority would support a solution convenient to them (and usually requiring less work) but at the expense of better service to the community. As a police chief, I didn’t want to make unnecessary work for my staff, but my first obligation was to provide exemplary service to the community. Sometimes I asked God for guidance, and the solutions presented themselves.
It’s hard to imagine a time when the voice of the crowd has influenced more businesspeople and politicians than now. I put a lot of the blame on the power of social media to whip people up into a frenzy that leaders then feel they need to respond to quell the mob. The problem is, the mob is never satisfied!