Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Insecure Leadership


January 6
Insecure Leadership
From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman

"When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi," Matthew 2:16-17.

Any leader who is not secure in God will be insecure in their leadership actions. King Herod was such a leader. He feared the loss of power and had to control every aspect of the people he was ruling. When Herod heard about Jesus' coming birth, his insecurity became out of control and led to making life-destroying decisions for those in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Such a leader has deep-seated control issues rooted in the fear of loss of power, money and prestige. This also led to lying to protect his kingdom. When the wise men told Herod about the coming Messiah, Herod told them he wanted to know when He was born in order to worship him. He had no such plans. He wanted to kill him.

Herod told the wise men to report back to him when the child was born. The wise men were divinely warned not to return to Jerusalem and report back to Herod. When Herod discovered this, he became furious and issued the edict to kill every child under two years old in Bethlehem and the surrounding districts.

Whenever a leader has deep-seated control issues rooted in fear, their actions--bent upon maintaining power and control--surface repeatedly. When placed under stress, they become irrational in their attempts to maintain an iron grip on their ability to control their circumstances.

Arguments, manipulation of others, and confrontation with subordinates usually follows along with devastating actions that ultimately advantage no one.

However, a leader who has yielded his life and his work to God can relinquish outcomes to the Lord and let God change things that may seem to go against them. A secure leader realizes God is the source of His power and leadership and he does not need to fear others who may demonstrate leadership qualities. Instead, they are able to affirm them for the sake of the good of the organization or the nation.

Pray that God makes you a leader who is secure in your position given by God.

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