By Patriot Academy Alumnus – Ethan Nunn
As a Christian I often look at leaders in our world, nation and church’s I can’t help but ask what makes a good leader? Is it money? Power? Speaking ability? Charisma? Or could it be something more?
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A good leader honors authority above themselves.
“But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” (1 Samuel 26:9). In the verse before this, David’s nephew (Abishai) was telling him to kill King Saul while he’s sleeping.
You see at this time Saul was hunting David like an outlaw. But even with that, David still said, “Who am I to kill God’s anointed King?” David knew that it was not his job to dethrone Saul. Instead, it was God’s.
“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
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A good leader honors authority equal to themselves.
“And the king lamented for Abner, saying, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?” (2 Samuel 3:33). Now the back-story behind this is long, but makes a great read.
In short this is what happens:
After Saul’s death David is anointed king, but a man named Abner who was the general of Saul’s army made Saul’s son Ishbosheth king. Of course this leads to a battle between David’s army and Ishbosheth’s army.
Sometime during the battle, Abner kills one of David’s other nephews named Asahel. After the battle, Abner and Ishbosheth had a quarrel and Abner joins David’s side. But Joab (Asahel’s brother) went and out and murdered Abner in revenge for the death of his brother.
But here comes the surprise, when David heard that Joab was the murderer, David does not withhold justice. David’s sense of justice shows that that a leader should always honor another leader in power. In this verse we see that David wanted to honor God by honoring other leaders. (For the full story read 2 Samuel 2-4).
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A good leader honors God above men.
One way I see many Christians failing in our duties today, is that we don’t stand up for our faith anymore. Many just ignore what the Bible has to say, saying “God is okay with that” or “God doesn’t even care anymore”.
Well God does care. Sadly it is us, humans who don’t care anymore. We have truly become what C.S. Lewis describes as “men without chests”.
We must stand up to the culture and say the same as Peter and the apostles: “But Peter and the apostles answered, we must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29).
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A good leader admits when they are wrong.
“David said to Nathan “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.” (2 Samuel 12:13).
This verse takes place after David sins with Bathsheba, and the prophet Nathan comes to rebuke him. So after a profound parable, Nathan accuses David not only of adultery but also murder.
When this happens, David not only admits that he is in the wrong but he also repents of his sins. Leaders are NOT perfect, even if they are a Godly, upright person. God called David a “man after God’s own heart”.
If David can fall, anyone can. Not to say that this excuses whatever a leader says or does. They are still accountable to man and most of all to God. However, when we do mess up, we should follow David’s example of acknowledging he was wrong and repenting.
As you can see the Bible has a lot of important things to say about leadership, and we should heed its words. We are living in dire times in need of great leaders.
The world doesn’t need more Democrats or Republicans. We need more George Washingtons and William Wilberforces.
Yes indeed, the world needs more leaders. Will you answer the call?
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Ethan Nunn is a Patriot Academy Alumnus & writes for the Patriot Press
