Exodus 18
We are walking in today: The Spirit of Leadership, Part 3--What Is A True Leader?
Witness prepare throughout the Bible: H3559 kuwn--to be established, be stable,
be secure, be enduring, to be fixed, be securely determined, to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense), prepare
Psalm 10:17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
Torah: Exodus 16:5, 23:20; Numbers 23:1; Deuteronomy 19:3
Prophets: 1 Samuel 7:3, 23:22; Nehemiah 8:10; Isaiah 14:21; Ezekiel 38:7; Hosea 6:3; Nahum 2:5; Zephaniah 1:7
Writings: Joshua 1:11, 4:4; 1 Kings 5:18; 1 Chronicles 15:1; 2 Chronicles 35:16; Est 7:10; Psalms 7:13, 147:8; Proverbs 19:29, 24:27
Renewed: Matthew 11:10
Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Exodus 18:20-25
20 You should also teach them the laws and the teachings, and show them how to live their lives and what work they should do. 21 But you should choose from among all the people competent men who are God-fearing, honest and incorruptible to be their leaders, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Normally, they will settle the people’s disputes. They should bring you the difficult cases; but ordinary matters they should decide themselves. In this way, they will make it easier for you and share the load with you. 23 If you do this — and God is directing you to do it — you will be able to endure; and all these people too will arrive at their destination peacefully.” (iii) 24 Moshe paid attention to his father-in-law’s counsel and did everything he said. 25 Moshe chose competent men from all Isra’el and made them heads over the people, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
What Is a True Leader?
Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by a passion, generated by a vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose.
We will explore various definitions of leadership and compare them with a definition of leadership that I have developed through years of observation and research. The examples of leaders that follow help demonstrate the fact that true leadership is an attitude rather than a title and that it inspires rather than manipulates or controls.
LEADERSHIP IS MORE THAN INFLUENCE
The fact is that true leadership is not control or manipulation of others, but it is other people’s willful submission of their authority to yours, motivated by inspiration.
TRUE LEADERSHIP IS MARKED BY OTHERS’ WILLFUL SUBMISSION OF THEIR AUTHORITY TO YOURS.
There are many people, past and present, who have influenced others using threats and violence, but we don’t call that true leadership. We call it manipulation, oppression, or dictatorship. Nero, Hitler, and Idi Amin were all influential. They exerted their wills over people, but they were not leaders in the true sense. Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by a passion, generated by a vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose.
THE PRIORITY OF INSPIRATION
Leadership is a privilege given by the followers. The great Jewish rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth—the ultimate model of effective leadership—inspired his chosen followers so much that they left their businesses and, for a time, their families, in order to follow him. He never threatened them or forced them to come, but he inspired them and then invited them to join him.
THE POWER OF PASSION
Simply put, the source of inspiration is passion. This component of leadership is the heart of influence and is the generator of the energy and resilience of the leader. Passion is the discovery of a deep desire born out of a conviction that renders one possessed by commitment to a purpose. This passionate commitment allows one to defy opposition, adversity, failure, disappointment, and discouragement. Passion is a controlling desire that exceeds the boundaries of casual interest or concern and transports the individual into the realm of obligation. In essence, true leadership passion is the discovery of a belief, reason, idea, conviction, or cause not just to live for, but also to die for, which focuses on benefiting mankind as a whole.
THE ULTIMATE LEADERSHIP MODEL
Born in an obscure, forgotten town in the hills of ancient Judea; raised in a village that, according to archaeological research, had only one street and eleven houses; and leaving no record of having had any formal education, this young man introduced his vision of a new world order to simple village people who themselves were considered least on the social strata. Yet his clear sense of purpose, his commitment to the cause, and his unrelenting passion and compassion inspired twelve common local businessmen—among them, four fishermen and a tax collector—to abandon their personal dreams, private priorities, and occupations to follow him even to the death. He was so passionate about what he came to do that he motivated his disciples to leave behind their old priorities and ways of living in order to discover a new kind of life with him. They had never before met anyone who was ready to die for what he was living for. Moreover, his impact and imprint on the history of the world and on the personal lives of millions over two millennia testify of leadership at its highest and in its essence.
To clarify the process of leadership according to our working definition, let us review the progression of leadership development:
1. Purpose
2. Conviction
3. Vision
4. Passion
5. Inspiration
6. Influence
7. Leadership
True leadership is impossible unless all these ingredients are present and integrated as a whole, producing a force for change in our communities, societies, and the world.
EXAMPLES OF EFFECTIVE LEADERS
Leaders are often ordinary people who accept or are placed in extraordinary circumstances that bring forth their latent potential, producing a character that inspires confidence and trust within others. Many of the great leaders in history were “victims” of circumstances. They did not intend to be leaders, but the demands of life ignited a sleeping spirit within them. The greatest leadership seems to surface during times of personal, social, economic, political, and spiritual conflict.
Moses
Moses, the historic Hebrew deliverer, was given a clear sense of purpose. In his writings, he described his encounter with God in the wilderness where he was told what he had been born to accomplish.
Martin Luther King Jr.
The unforgettable speech, “I Have a Dream,” encapsulates the purpose, passion, and inspiration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A leader and symbol of American blacks’ struggle for civil rights, Dr. King helped to change both laws and hearts in America, leading to greater equality and freedom in the country.
Queen Esther
Esther was a beautiful young Hebrew woman, also living in exile, but at a slightly earlier time period. Through an extraordinary set of circumstances, she became the queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes. She learned of a plot to annihilate the Jews, she discovered that she had been born for a critical purpose: preserving her people. Her uncle told her, in effect, “Perhaps you have become queen for such a time as this.” When Esther accepted her purpose, it became her passion, and she was willing to risk her own life for its fulfillment, saying, “If I perish, I perish.” Her courage and grace under tremendous pressure influenced the king to agree to a plan to protect the Jews, who were inspired to rally to defend themselves.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela’s life purpose was the elimination of the policy of apartheid and the establishment of racial equality in South Africa. He desired the formation of a free and democratic society for all people, black and white. His passion for this purpose led him to fight for these causes, for which he was sentenced to life in prison. At his trial, he explained his vision for his country I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”8 Following national and international pressure, Mandela was released from prison after twenty-eight years. He then worked with South Africa’s white leader, F. W. de Klerk, to eliminate apartheid, and they both were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. In a historic event, Mandela was elected president of his country under open democratic elections and served in that position from 1994–1999. Mandela’s passion transformed an entire country’s outlook, government, structure, and policies. Shema Selah, let us pause and consider the definition of true leadership qualities and how we are being prepared by His instruction to rule in our lives! Facebook LIVE video
We are walking in today: The Spirit of Leadership, Part 3--What Is A True Leader?
Witness prepare throughout the Bible: H3559 kuwn--to be established, be stable,
be secure, be enduring, to be fixed, be securely determined, to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense), prepare
Psalm 10:17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
Torah: Exodus 16:5, 23:20; Numbers 23:1; Deuteronomy 19:3
Prophets: 1 Samuel 7:3, 23:22; Nehemiah 8:10; Isaiah 14:21; Ezekiel 38:7; Hosea 6:3; Nahum 2:5; Zephaniah 1:7
Writings: Joshua 1:11, 4:4; 1 Kings 5:18; 1 Chronicles 15:1; 2 Chronicles 35:16; Est 7:10; Psalms 7:13, 147:8; Proverbs 19:29, 24:27
Renewed: Matthew 11:10
Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Exodus 18:20-25
20 You should also teach them the laws and the teachings, and show them how to live their lives and what work they should do. 21 But you should choose from among all the people competent men who are God-fearing, honest and incorruptible to be their leaders, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Normally, they will settle the people’s disputes. They should bring you the difficult cases; but ordinary matters they should decide themselves. In this way, they will make it easier for you and share the load with you. 23 If you do this — and God is directing you to do it — you will be able to endure; and all these people too will arrive at their destination peacefully.” (iii) 24 Moshe paid attention to his father-in-law’s counsel and did everything he said. 25 Moshe chose competent men from all Isra’el and made them heads over the people, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
What Is a True Leader?
Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by a passion, generated by a vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose.
We will explore various definitions of leadership and compare them with a definition of leadership that I have developed through years of observation and research. The examples of leaders that follow help demonstrate the fact that true leadership is an attitude rather than a title and that it inspires rather than manipulates or controls.
LEADERSHIP IS MORE THAN INFLUENCE
The fact is that true leadership is not control or manipulation of others, but it is other people’s willful submission of their authority to yours, motivated by inspiration.
TRUE LEADERSHIP IS MARKED BY OTHERS’ WILLFUL SUBMISSION OF THEIR AUTHORITY TO YOURS.
There are many people, past and present, who have influenced others using threats and violence, but we don’t call that true leadership. We call it manipulation, oppression, or dictatorship. Nero, Hitler, and Idi Amin were all influential. They exerted their wills over people, but they were not leaders in the true sense. Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by a passion, generated by a vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose.
THE PRIORITY OF INSPIRATION
Leadership is a privilege given by the followers. The great Jewish rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth—the ultimate model of effective leadership—inspired his chosen followers so much that they left their businesses and, for a time, their families, in order to follow him. He never threatened them or forced them to come, but he inspired them and then invited them to join him.
THE POWER OF PASSION
Simply put, the source of inspiration is passion. This component of leadership is the heart of influence and is the generator of the energy and resilience of the leader. Passion is the discovery of a deep desire born out of a conviction that renders one possessed by commitment to a purpose. This passionate commitment allows one to defy opposition, adversity, failure, disappointment, and discouragement. Passion is a controlling desire that exceeds the boundaries of casual interest or concern and transports the individual into the realm of obligation. In essence, true leadership passion is the discovery of a belief, reason, idea, conviction, or cause not just to live for, but also to die for, which focuses on benefiting mankind as a whole.
THE ULTIMATE LEADERSHIP MODEL
Born in an obscure, forgotten town in the hills of ancient Judea; raised in a village that, according to archaeological research, had only one street and eleven houses; and leaving no record of having had any formal education, this young man introduced his vision of a new world order to simple village people who themselves were considered least on the social strata. Yet his clear sense of purpose, his commitment to the cause, and his unrelenting passion and compassion inspired twelve common local businessmen—among them, four fishermen and a tax collector—to abandon their personal dreams, private priorities, and occupations to follow him even to the death. He was so passionate about what he came to do that he motivated his disciples to leave behind their old priorities and ways of living in order to discover a new kind of life with him. They had never before met anyone who was ready to die for what he was living for. Moreover, his impact and imprint on the history of the world and on the personal lives of millions over two millennia testify of leadership at its highest and in its essence.
To clarify the process of leadership according to our working definition, let us review the progression of leadership development:
1. Purpose
2. Conviction
3. Vision
4. Passion
5. Inspiration
6. Influence
7. Leadership
True leadership is impossible unless all these ingredients are present and integrated as a whole, producing a force for change in our communities, societies, and the world.
EXAMPLES OF EFFECTIVE LEADERS
Leaders are often ordinary people who accept or are placed in extraordinary circumstances that bring forth their latent potential, producing a character that inspires confidence and trust within others. Many of the great leaders in history were “victims” of circumstances. They did not intend to be leaders, but the demands of life ignited a sleeping spirit within them. The greatest leadership seems to surface during times of personal, social, economic, political, and spiritual conflict.
Moses
Moses, the historic Hebrew deliverer, was given a clear sense of purpose. In his writings, he described his encounter with God in the wilderness where he was told what he had been born to accomplish.
Martin Luther King Jr.
The unforgettable speech, “I Have a Dream,” encapsulates the purpose, passion, and inspiration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A leader and symbol of American blacks’ struggle for civil rights, Dr. King helped to change both laws and hearts in America, leading to greater equality and freedom in the country.
Queen Esther
Esther was a beautiful young Hebrew woman, also living in exile, but at a slightly earlier time period. Through an extraordinary set of circumstances, she became the queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes. She learned of a plot to annihilate the Jews, she discovered that she had been born for a critical purpose: preserving her people. Her uncle told her, in effect, “Perhaps you have become queen for such a time as this.” When Esther accepted her purpose, it became her passion, and she was willing to risk her own life for its fulfillment, saying, “If I perish, I perish.” Her courage and grace under tremendous pressure influenced the king to agree to a plan to protect the Jews, who were inspired to rally to defend themselves.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela’s life purpose was the elimination of the policy of apartheid and the establishment of racial equality in South Africa. He desired the formation of a free and democratic society for all people, black and white. His passion for this purpose led him to fight for these causes, for which he was sentenced to life in prison. At his trial, he explained his vision for his country I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”8 Following national and international pressure, Mandela was released from prison after twenty-eight years. He then worked with South Africa’s white leader, F. W. de Klerk, to eliminate apartheid, and they both were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. In a historic event, Mandela was elected president of his country under open democratic elections and served in that position from 1994–1999. Mandela’s passion transformed an entire country’s outlook, government, structure, and policies. Shema Selah, let us pause and consider the definition of true leadership qualities and how we are being prepared by His instruction to rule in our lives! Facebook LIVE video
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