Spiritual Leadership - Representing God

Of all forms of leadership, this is the most delicate. At whatever level, a spiritual leader represents God to the people and that carries enormous responsibility. Your lifestyle and conduct must reflect God. And you are God's mouthpiece, thus you cannot afford to speak anyhow. To help you, God has given you his spirit as guide and comforter.

Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.[1Timothy 4:16]

So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"[2 Corinthians 5:20]

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His[Romans 8:9]

*Spiritual Leadership: Representing people*

The other side of the coin in spiritual leadership is representing the people before God (intercession). Your leadership of a group is not complete if you are not constantly interceding for them.

Even our Lord Jesus Christ lives to intercede for us. We are a kingdom of priests unto our God. Take your brethren to God today.

Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins.

 

*And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.[1Peter 2:5]*

*He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.[Revelation 1:6]*

*Spiritual Leadership - develop capacity*

As a leader in the spiritual space, you are a prime target for attack by the devil. It is therefore your responsibility to develop spiritual weight. Consistent word-based prayers is what gives you a voice in the spirit.

Soak yourself in God's word that your profiting may appear to all. Prioritize capacity development today, you will be glad you did.

*"Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" declares the LORD Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.[Zechariah 13:7]*

*If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.[Proverbs 24:10]*

*Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. [1Timothy 4:13-15]*

*Spiritual Leadership - You are not God*

As a representative of God to the people, you must realize that you are just that, representative. You are not the Almighty. Only God can meet the desires of every living thing.

Instead of over-burdening yourself with people's challenges, why not direct them to God and in the process help them to build their faith. Never be tempted to play God.

*Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'[Isaiah 46:10-11]*

 

*When Rachel saw that she wasn't having any children for Jacob, she became jealous of her sister. She pleaded with Jacob, "Give me children, or I'll die!" Then Jacob became furious with Rachel. "Am I God?" he asked.You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.[Gen 30:1-2]*

*Spiritual Leadership - it's a call'*

You are called into ministry and spiritual leadership by God, it cannot be assumed or promoted into. This makes sense when you remember that you are representing God, nobody assumes representation.

Alongside the call is the message, what he has called you to do or say. Beloved, be clear of your call; God will only back what he commissions not your passions.

*But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.[Galatians 1:15]*

*Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [Eph 4:11]*

*No one elects himself to this honored position. He's called to it by God, as Aaron was.[Hebrews 5:4]*

*Spiritual Leadership - flee sexual sin*

Sexual sin is a present temptation for spiritual leaders and the Scriptural prescription is to flee. It is not sufficient to pray about it, put structures in place to keep you accountable and honorable.

Avoid compromising positions. Reduce the amount of emotional sexual stories that touch that you listen to, it is the gospel that has the power to change, focus on that. You are strengthened in Jesus name.

*God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.[1Thessalonians 4:3-5]*

*Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.[1corinthians 6:18]*

*Spiritual Leadership - leading by love*

Unlike other forms of leadership, the goal and tool of spiritual leadership is love. You are not there to show power or suppress your followers, rather you are there to serve and love them.

*Love is patient, love is kind. [1Corinthians 13:4]*

*Thus you must be patient towards them believing in their maturity and perfection.[James 1:4]*

 Never be too high to watch their feet, it is what you are called to.

*Jesus called them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.[Matthew 20:25-27]*

*Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work[Ephesians 4:15-16]*

*You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.[John13:13-15]*