A Leader Starts Humble and Ends Humble

Bishop Dag Heward Mills Many leaders start out humble and end up proud, full of themselves and of their achievements. “Pride goeth before a fall” and it is this self-destructive

The post A Leader Starts Humble and Ends Humble appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Bishop Dag Heward Mills

Many leaders start out humble and end up proud, full of themselves and of their achievements. “Pride goeth before a fall” and it is this self-destructive button that becomes prominent in the lives of many leaders. Two of the greatest leaders that ever lived started humble and ended humble. Learn from their example.

Jesus, the Greatest Leader, Began and Ended His Ministry in Humility

1. Jesus Christ started his ministry in a manger.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

-Luke 2:7

2. Jesus Christ ended his ministry on a cross.

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

-Luke 23:46

Paul Progressed In Humility

Paul’s Four Stages of Progressive Humilit

1. Paul initially declared that he was not less than any of the apostles.

…for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles…

-2 Corinthians 12:11

2. As Paul progressed, he felt that he was the least of the apostles.

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

-1 Corinthians 15:9

3. After some more time, Paul thought that he was the least of all saints.

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints…-Ephesians 3:8

As you can see, Paul’s estimation of himself kept diminishing as he became more experienced in ministry. The higher you go in the Lord, the more you realize how dispensable you are. You discover that it is God’s grace that is at work and not your own efforts.

4. At the end of his ministry, Paul decided he was the chief of sinners! …

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. -1Timothy 1:15

This was not because Paul had committed some grievous sin. With maturity came the consciousness of his sinful nature and indeed, that of all men.

A Leader Should Not Let His Achievements Make Him Proud

Do not let your achievements change your opinion of yourself. Nebuchadnezzar made an awful mistake when he walked on the rooftop of his castle. He thought that he had achieved great things by his own strength.

At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

-Daniel 4:29-31

When Nebuchadnezzar developed an elevated opinion of himself, God punished him. If you are a leader, do not make proud statements about your achievements. Some leaders make very haughty statements after being in power for some time; but that is a mistake. Some leaders even think they will live forever. But you can be very easily removed. Ask your fathers and ancestors whether they lived forever.

Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? -Zechariah 1:5

A Leader Should Not Laugh at Other Leaders

This is the great example David, the great king of Israel showed us. A leader should maintain a humble opinion of himself because he is a mere flesh. Do not laugh at another leader who is in difficulty.

History has taught us that judgmental leaders are prone to fall. Do not mock when other leaders fall into sin. What was David’s reaction when Saul was killed in battle? Did he say, “It serves him right?” No, he did not! Mourn with those that mourn and pray for them. Notice the words of a great leader as he lamented over the fall of another great leader.

Thy beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

-2 Samuel 1:19-21

The Art of Leadership

By Dag Heward-Mills

 

[email protected]

The post A Leader Starts Humble and Ends Humble appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Read Full Story