June 12, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :- THE PERILS OF LEADERSHIP (I)
Read previous CAC Living Devotionals here
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER {Jan ~ June, 2020}
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Friday, June 12, 2020
– Democracy Day (Nigeria)
TOPIC: THE PERILS OF LEADERSHIP (I)
Read 1 Samuel 8:1-5
[1]And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.[2]Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.[3]And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.[4]Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,[5]And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
MEMORISE: But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice (1 Samuel 8:3)
EXPOSITION
The role leadership plays in any organisation cannot be over-emphasised. Where there is no leadership, anarchy is inevitable. Leadership determines many things in the lives of people in homes, communities, churches, towns, states, and countries. There are perils of leadership which everyone who occupies the position of leadership needs to do away with. The outstanding among them are:
1. Love of dishonest Gain: Dishonest gain is a serious peril of leadership, especially when a leader has not conquered the spirit of greed and covetousness. This is the wrong character the sons of Samuel displayed, which disqualified them from the spiritual leadership of God’s people.
2. Bribery and corruption: This is a sin that is very easy to creep in to the life of the leader, especially if such a leader is a daring lover of money. God hates bribery and corruption, and He will surely punish those who get involved, either as givers or receivers (Exo. 23:8; Job 15:34).
3. Injustice: This Peril of leadership is common with leaders who practice tribalism, nepotism, favouritism, segregation and discrimination (Deut. 16:19; Job 8:3; Psa. 82:3).
4. Idolatry: When a leader does not know the true living God. He is destined to fall (Ex. 20:3-5).
5. When a leader becomes a terror and arrogant dealing with the people under him any how, he/she is finished (1 Sam. 2:27-32).
If you are privileged to be above others in any position of leadership, avoid these perils of leadership, in order to escape God’s judgment.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, give our leaders the spirit to fear You, so that they can lead well, in line with Your specifications.
2. Wherever I serve, O Lord, help me to maintain integrity, from Your own perspective.
3. Pray that God should replace bad leaders in places (churches, communities, nations, etc.) where such leaders are recalcitrant and unrepentant.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 1 Chronicles 3 – 4 & Ephesians 2
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!