Leadership
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE As A Member OR Visitor
Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article
The Spirit-filled Leader
Introduction
The subject of leadership is a very crucial matter. It has been said that everything rises and falls with the leader, how true! The state of any nation, organisation, association, group or family, is a reflection of its leadership, it’s not possible to separate the success or failure, rising or falling of an organisation from its leaders!
Whether in business, politics, church or family, leaders at all levels have very crucial roles to play, because, by reason of the important position they occupy, destinies of others have been entrusted into their hands. It’s really sad however that majority of those entrusted with leadership does not seem to have this understanding, and as a result, have mishandled, mismanaged and even destroyed the destinies of many people, including the unborn generations. The expectations on leaders are so great that everyone entrusted with leadership in one capacity or the other cannot afford to fail.
Believers and Leadership
For believers, call to leadership is far beyond the four walls of the Church. Being God’s ambassadors here on earth, believers’ sphere of influence is not limited to the Church. Whether in business, politics, church, social or family spheres, believers are expected to be involved in providing unique direction and leadership that will deliver, not only physical results, but also effectively assist actualization of destinies of the people entrusted into their hands. According to Matthew 5:13 -16, believers are called salt and lights of the world because of the unique difference they’re expected to make in their world. Believers are expected to be carriers of God’s Holy Spirit and nature, which is meant to clearly differentiate them in their roles as leaders at all levels. Unfortunately, from experience and observations of all that is happening around us, many believers entrusted with leadership at various levels have failed woefully, having lost their relevance as salt and lights, either because they have neglected their position as God’s ambassadors, or have completely lost touch with the Holy Spirit.
Generally speaking, leaders in every work of life require more than academic qualifications, skills, technical know-how, expertise, proficiencies, or knowledge to function effectively and fulfill their roles. Academic qualifications and skills are not irrelevant, but it’s not arguable that possession of these does not necessarily make a good leader. For believers, leadership is a divine responsibility, and must be handled with that understanding. Considering the crucial roles leaders play in the lives of others entrusted to their hands, it’s important for every leader, especially believers in leadership roles and positions at all levels, to be constantly under the influence of the Holy Spirit of God in order to function effectively and lead men into fulfillment of their destinies. If we considered leadership as a divine responsibility, we would realize that we could never go far as leaders without the help of the Holy Spirit.
The Place of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Leaders
Through the ages, God has never commissioned anyone into roles of leadership without first anointing or filling them with His Spirit. Saul, a political leader was firstly anointed before being entrusted with leadership role as king; Elisha, a Prophet was anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit before stepping into the office of a prophet; Jehu the commander in Chief of the Israeli Army was also anointed ahead of his commissioning to lead the army; it was equally said of Daniel, an administrator and political executive in the kingdom of Babylon, that the excellent Spirit was upon him.
Also in John 24:49, Jesus earnestly instructed the Apostles to wait for infilling of the Holy Spirit before stepping into the divine mandates. The Apostles in the early Church equally emphasized the need for infilling by the Holy Spirit for anyone to be appointed or entrusted with leadership.
‘Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business’. Acts 6:2-3;
As far as God is concerned, it’s apparent there’s no discrimination between ‘spiritual’ and other forms of leadership, everyone that will truly succeed as a leader at any level, must be a carrier of His Spirit.
Examples of Spirit-filled Leaders
From the records, it has been established that leaders, which did exploits in their generations, were men who were filled with, and operated under the influence of the Spirit of God.
Joseph: In Egypt, Joseph stepped into the role of leadership, became a partner with the Almighty God in fulfillment of eternal purpose by effectively delivering the whole world, and particularly the Hebrew nation from extinction by famine, so as to preserve the Messiah’s race. Because he was a carrier of the Spirit of God, Joseph literally became the saviour of the world in his days! It’s not on record that Joseph possessed any academic degrees or such qualifications, but Pharaoh clearly saw something in him that was absent in all his (Pharaoh’s) wise men, magicians, astrologers, soothsayers, scholars and diviners.
‘And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt’. Genesis 41:38-41;
Daniel and the three Hebrew boys: Daniel and the three Hebrew boys –Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did great exploits and stood out in the whole realm of Babylon because they possessed the Excellent Spirit of God. Through these men, the whole kingdom of Babylon totally submitted to YAHWEH as the only true God!
And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. Daniel 1:19-20;
Qualities of the Spirit-filled Leaders
Spirit-filled leaders lead men to God – Leadership is a divine call and responsibility. Of all the responsibilities of a leader, the greatest is to lead men to God. A leader that cannot lead men to God can never lead them to fulfill their destinies! It is unfortunate that the Church is busy raising leaders that cannot lead men to God. He that will lead men to God must himself know God intimately. The Spirit-filled leaders have themselves been transformed by the Holy Spirit, and as such are able to lead other into the same experience of transformation.
‘My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you’, Galatians 4:19;
Spirit-filled leaders lead others to fulfill their God-given purpose – One of the major focuses of the Spirit-filled leaders is to assist others discover and fulfill their God-given purpose. Majority of the so called leaders leading others are oblivious of this, and as a result have mismanaged the destinies of many. Leaders make decisions that affect the lives of many people, and it’s a disaster if these decisions are not inspired or guided by the Holy Spirit. It’s only a leader that is under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that can provide clear direction for others to discover and fulfill their God-given purpose.
Spirit-filled leaders bring solutions to their world – Spirit-filled leaders through divine inspirations, are able to proffer solutions in times of critical needs. The situation of the world is so critical that it has defied all known political methods, ideologies and principles. In times like these, what the world needs is godly and Spirit-filled leaders who will provide the much needed answers through divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Spirit-filled Leaders are instruments of Change – Sometimes, significant progress cannot take place without major changes. Changes don’t just happen, they are triggered! Spirit-filled leaders are agents of positive change. Most of the major changes which have shaped the world today can be traced to men and leaders who knew God and were filled with His Spirit.
Spirit-filled Leaders live with Eternity in View: Spirit-filled leaders do not pursue or live for things which have no eternal values. Through the spiritual eyes, Spirit-filled leaders are able to see the way God sees. While others concentrate on transient and popular things which usually win men applause, Spirit-filled leaders are interested in building enduring tabernacles rather than building names or empires for themselves on earth.
Conclusion
Looking at the world at large and the church in particular, the need for Spirit-filled leaders at all levels cannot be overemphasized. Men that will lead others into fulfillment of their God-given destinies and fulfillment of God’s purpose on earth can only do so in partnership with the Holy Spirit. It calls for serious concern that majority of the believers, who are supposed to be God’s ambassadors on earth, have lost their position, and as a result, the enemies are fast gaining grounds. We must earnestly and daily seek the infilling of God’s Spirit to enable us fulfill our destinies and establish God’s kingdom on earth. Spirit-filled leaders are urgently needed to give God a strong voice in the world, empty sacks can never stand straight!
Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR
This article has been read 824 times < Previous | Next >
Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.