A Bible Based Leader

This is the second article in my series for leaders in the Church. In the first article, Leadership By Priorities, I talked about establishing priorities based on Biblical principles that leaders can use as a foundation for a strong lifestyle. In this article we explain how the Word of God helps us develop leadership characteristics to complement those Biblical principles and priorities.

A Leader By The Word
Without a firm grasp of the Word of God (the Bible), a person with a leadership position in the Church is only working by his abilities and strengths. But when a man or women of God is able to easily apply The Word to daily situations, other people's needs and hurts are met with the tenderness and comfort that only God provides. The Bible often instructs us to grow in the knowledge of it's contents and readily apply it.

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Let's look at a couple of writers of the Gospel to see how they applied the Word of the Lord to their situations and how we can make those relevant for us today. We will review four points:

1. Understanding God's Word
2. Defending Our Doctrine and Faith
3. Our Shield In Battle
4. A Stable Leader.

1. Understanding God's Word
As a matter of fact, there is no other way to come to know His will unless we study His Word. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this point best when he instructs young Timothy as follows:

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." - 2nd Timothy 2:15

In his book "Matthew Henry Commentary on the Bible", provides a good example to illustrate the problem of being ignorant about the Word of God. In his book, Henry compares knowledge of the Word of God to being a workman. If a worker is unskilled, unfaithful, and downright lazy, he needs to feel ashamed for the work that he's putting forth. But those that mind their business and keep to their work are workman that need not feel ashamed. The lesson for us is that we must devote time and energy in study and devotion to correctly handle God's Word. Think about it. Have you ever spent time and resources to develop your professional life? If so, you probably did it to improve your daily job or improve your career prospects. Likewise, knowing the Word of God to become better leaders requires constant care and maintenance.

2. Defending Our Doctrine And Faith
We need to know God's Word in order to deal with inaccuracies, both our own and of others. When we need to correct ourselves or others, we cannot defend the faith based on our feelings or speculation. Instead, our defense must be done objectively and in complete understanding of The Word. In his letter to Titus, the Apostle Paul was again hammering away at the principle that one needed to have a command of the Gospel:

"He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." - Titus 1:9

Paul wasn't a rookie leader, he was highly aware of those in the fringe groups of the faith who were looking to personally benefit by swaying people to their thoughts and their philosophies. And by extension, Timothy's role wasn't to re-interpret or re-translate the Scriptures but simply re-communicate them. That same role applies to you and I as leaders in instructing our teams and groups - the Scripture only offers one translation but many applications.

3. Our Shield in Battle
Jesus repeatedly cited Scripture when He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. How much more shall we, who are constantly battling our flesh, memorize and repeat Scripture that manifests our faith in God when in our daily battles?

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:17

Our battles then, are fought in the communion of God's strength and His favor, understanding that we are nothing without Him. This attitude displays our needs as humans and the desire to fight the good fight. And while the "wiles" of the devil will constantly attack us, his power over us is broken, if we "...resist the devil, he will flee from us" (James 4:7). The devil has met his match, and that match is Jesus the Christ!

4. A Stable Leader
Undoubtedly, a leader is constantly under a barrage of attacks to his spiritual and moral character. Often times, the psychological make-up of a person takes a beating that can lead all sorts of mental anxiety. Being rooted firmly on God's Word gives a person the stability needed to set an awesome foundation for establishing priorities and growth:

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
- Psalms 1:1-3

The Psalmist David begins by admonishing us in the wisdom and value of meditating on God's Word. This in turn develops a genuine fear of the Lord of which wisdom comes.

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming."
- Ephesians 4:14

The Apostle Paul describes the expertise, derived from the devil, that some people have to deceive the flock. However, the understanding and proper use of the Gospel is the best and surest guard and antidote against such fluctuations and deceptions.

You As A Leader
Being a leader requires commitment, time, and energy. Being a Bible-based leader requires a firm and unwavering knowledge of the Gospel and that of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We joyfully encourage you in your development as a leader in your church and encourage you to inspire others through your character and constant improvement!

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Jerry Figueroa is the co-executive producer of Inspired Christian.org. You can send him e-mail at jerryfig@inspiredchristian.org.

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