Arrogant Leadership (Part III)
Arrogance in leadership is typically manifested when leaders think that the rules do not apply to them, have no regard for the rules, perceive that they are above the rules, and/or value their agenda as more important than the rules. Let me define the term "rules" as I use it here. Rules as I have used it refer to biblical principles, good management principles, consensus of all of the stakeholders, the God-given direction of an institution or organization, or the orderly policies and procedures that govern an institution.
Some bad examples of servant leadership are found in Samson and King Saul. Samson lived in the background of the book of Judges which describes the spiritual condition of the time in Judges 17:6 and 21:25, "in those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." The time was characterized by a lack of accountability and moral leadership and direction. People were living for "self". Samson was one of the individuals that God raised up to represent Him in this apostasy.
The life of Samson is a tragic account of one who had a chance to overcome the enemy but in the end he was overcome. He had great potential but had a tragic end. He depised his heritage (Judges 13). His parents were godly and believed in prayer (Judges 13:8,12) and feared and worshipped God. Samson was called to be a Nazarite (separated one): he was never to drink strong drink, never touch a dead body, and never cut his hair as a sign of dedication. Samson despised all of this as an adult and chose to please himself.
In Judges 14:1-4 he defied his parents by going into enemy territory violating the laws of separation and fell in love with a heathen. He blatantly ignored God's laws of separation as found in Exodus 34:16; Deuteronomy 7:3; and Genesis 24:1-4. The principles of biblical separation are echoed for us in II Corinthians 6:14-18. The guiding principle of his life was "get her for me; she pleases me." He deliberately defiled his body by touching the dead lion and taking honey in Judges 14:5-20. He displayed a lack of insight in Judges 15-16 as there were many seeming victories, but he only prays for water and strength to destroy the Philistines. He failed to recognize that God had delivered him.
I think that the sad portion of Samson's life is portrayed in chapter 16 of Judges where he deliberately plays with sin and fails to learn from past mistakes. He has trouble with a second lady; Delilah comes into his life and leads him to doom. He sleeps on the lap of a wicked woman who entices Samson three times. He succombs to his personal desires and loses his hair (symbol of dedication), strength, eyes (light), liberty, usefulness to the Lord, and testimony. He is the laughingstock of the Philistines with the people giving glory to the fish-god Dagon.
Samson did repent of his sin and had some measure of restoration, but in the defeat of others he took his own life. What better testimony he could have been if he had not obeyed his destructive desires!
Judges is a book of defeat due to disobedience, compromise, and the use of human reason. Samson was controlled by his passions and lacked discipline and direction. He actually destroyed more than he built. He failed to check his impulses. His life was marked by carnality (I Corinthians 3:1-4). Judges is the antithesis of Joshua.
In I Samuel 13, King Saul disobeyed God and offered a sacrifice intruding into the priest's office. He failed to obey God in I Samuel 15 by not destroying Amalek and everything totally as God commanded. He kept the best; he was thinking fleshly. He had a rebellious heart and exemplified stubbornness. Saul had a great outward appearance; he looked "kingly." King Saul developed a mental illness and then even sought advice from witchcraft. He failed to recognize the hand of God on David and became a jealous man. Jealousy ate on him to the point of seeking David's demise. King Saul eventually committed suicide in I Samuel 31.
I see that both Samson and King Saul do not exemplify servant leadership; but are examples of arrogance that manifests itself in people who are in leadership positions that live according to the flesh, have no regard for the rules, do not think that the rules apply to them, believe that they are above the rules, and/or have a agenda that is above the rules. Both Samson and King Saul practiced self-centered leadership which had bad results for both.
I Peter 5: 2-4 summarizes biblical servant leadership in describing the responsibilites of a pastor toward his flock: shepherd the flock is the guiding principle. The shepherding of the flock should not be out of compulsion or for sordid gain. The pastor does not lord over the flock but is an example to the flock. Let's embrace Joshua's model of leadership in the 21st century for His Glory and Honor. Disobedience, compromise, human reason, lack of discipline and direction, carnality, and a failure to check one's impulses should not be our legacy.
Some bad examples of servant leadership are found in Samson and King Saul. Samson lived in the background of the book of Judges which describes the spiritual condition of the time in Judges 17:6 and 21:25, "in those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." The time was characterized by a lack of accountability and moral leadership and direction. People were living for "self". Samson was one of the individuals that God raised up to represent Him in this apostasy.
The life of Samson is a tragic account of one who had a chance to overcome the enemy but in the end he was overcome. He had great potential but had a tragic end. He depised his heritage (Judges 13). His parents were godly and believed in prayer (Judges 13:8,12) and feared and worshipped God. Samson was called to be a Nazarite (separated one): he was never to drink strong drink, never touch a dead body, and never cut his hair as a sign of dedication. Samson despised all of this as an adult and chose to please himself.
In Judges 14:1-4 he defied his parents by going into enemy territory violating the laws of separation and fell in love with a heathen. He blatantly ignored God's laws of separation as found in Exodus 34:16; Deuteronomy 7:3; and Genesis 24:1-4. The principles of biblical separation are echoed for us in II Corinthians 6:14-18. The guiding principle of his life was "get her for me; she pleases me." He deliberately defiled his body by touching the dead lion and taking honey in Judges 14:5-20. He displayed a lack of insight in Judges 15-16 as there were many seeming victories, but he only prays for water and strength to destroy the Philistines. He failed to recognize that God had delivered him.
I think that the sad portion of Samson's life is portrayed in chapter 16 of Judges where he deliberately plays with sin and fails to learn from past mistakes. He has trouble with a second lady; Delilah comes into his life and leads him to doom. He sleeps on the lap of a wicked woman who entices Samson three times. He succombs to his personal desires and loses his hair (symbol of dedication), strength, eyes (light), liberty, usefulness to the Lord, and testimony. He is the laughingstock of the Philistines with the people giving glory to the fish-god Dagon.
Samson did repent of his sin and had some measure of restoration, but in the defeat of others he took his own life. What better testimony he could have been if he had not obeyed his destructive desires!
Judges is a book of defeat due to disobedience, compromise, and the use of human reason. Samson was controlled by his passions and lacked discipline and direction. He actually destroyed more than he built. He failed to check his impulses. His life was marked by carnality (I Corinthians 3:1-4). Judges is the antithesis of Joshua.
In I Samuel 13, King Saul disobeyed God and offered a sacrifice intruding into the priest's office. He failed to obey God in I Samuel 15 by not destroying Amalek and everything totally as God commanded. He kept the best; he was thinking fleshly. He had a rebellious heart and exemplified stubbornness. Saul had a great outward appearance; he looked "kingly." King Saul developed a mental illness and then even sought advice from witchcraft. He failed to recognize the hand of God on David and became a jealous man. Jealousy ate on him to the point of seeking David's demise. King Saul eventually committed suicide in I Samuel 31.
I see that both Samson and King Saul do not exemplify servant leadership; but are examples of arrogance that manifests itself in people who are in leadership positions that live according to the flesh, have no regard for the rules, do not think that the rules apply to them, believe that they are above the rules, and/or have a agenda that is above the rules. Both Samson and King Saul practiced self-centered leadership which had bad results for both.
I Peter 5: 2-4 summarizes biblical servant leadership in describing the responsibilites of a pastor toward his flock: shepherd the flock is the guiding principle. The shepherding of the flock should not be out of compulsion or for sordid gain. The pastor does not lord over the flock but is an example to the flock. Let's embrace Joshua's model of leadership in the 21st century for His Glory and Honor. Disobedience, compromise, human reason, lack of discipline and direction, carnality, and a failure to check one's impulses should not be our legacy.
Very interesting post. Something that every leader needs to consider. I would think that it is hard to balance leading where God wants a leader to lead and yet be sensitive to the people. The hard question would be when am I following God´s agenda and when am I flowing my. Because many times individuals want their own way and a leader cannot just flow every little whim. Great post.
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