Many years ago a successful man was ask, "What is the biggest hindrance when it comes to ministry (we could say leadership). " His answer was, "Pride."
He was not speaking of confidence, self esteem, or excellency, he was speaking of Poison pride, arrogance; a haughty nature. That of which a person esteems themselves more highly than they should.
The BIG "I" guys. Those who are never concerned with the well being of the overall whole. The ones who just can't seem to get enough of themselves. The all about me babes. Perhaps those descriptive statements will allow you to see in the minds eye the kind of Pride I am speaking of today.
Pride always comes before a fall, but for those who walk respectful of the Lord and others leading from the bases of His wisdom; Wisdom that is drawn out of agape Love, will find that their path is extremely bright.
Pr 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Let me also add here the message translation of Proverbs 8:12-21 as it speaks volumes.
"I am Lady Wisdom, and I live next to Sanity;
Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street.
The Fear-of-God means hating Evil,
whose ways I hate with a passion—
pride and arrogance and crooked talk.
Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics;
I am both Insight and the Virtue to live it out.
With my help, leaders rule,
and lawmakers legislate fairly;
With my help, governors govern,
along with all in legitimate authority.
I love those who love me;
those who look for me find me.
Wealth and Glory accompany me—
also substantial Honor and a Good Name.
My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary;
the returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus.
You can find me on Righteous Road—that's where I walk—
at the intersection of Justice Avenue,
Handing out life to those who love me,
filling their arms with life—armloads of life!
I could say Amen right here and be done with this blog. But let us look at a neighborhood ruled by love and wisdom just for fun. We will begin on the street Wisdom is being housed. This is the place of the sage. The house of the all wise one. Here freely wisdom is given ... and with it understanding accompanies. ~ James 1:5
In the book of Acts when leaders were begin sought out, they were not looking for the prideful and haughty filled with the Holy Spirit. They were looking for those full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom. They were looking for seasoned people.
In I Timothy 3:6 we find that a Novice is not to be put in office. Why? Because being new and unseasoned they were susceptible to pride, and then condemnation.
A novice is defined as a beginner, one that has not given themselves long to study and practice. Those who have not walked abased and then in abundance yet remaining of the same even godly character among men. The Greek uses the idea of being a seedling. One in the state of germination, but still not well rooted or fruit producing.
On the street where Wisdom lives we also find Sanity, Knowledge and Discretion. Without Wisdom a leader does not lead sanely. Sanity insures proper reasoning, soundness of mind (self control / personal discipline and good judgment.
As Paul continued to write letters to young Timothy training him in his new found leadership role. We find that he addresses him in the area of the fear of those first time leadership obstacles. When he tells Him. Timothy, keep the gift of God stirred up in you. God did not give you a Spirit of fear, but of POWER, and of LOVE, and a SOUND MIND.
At the house of Knowledge we find the ability to Know some things from experience and associations. It is a house awake, aware and perceptive. Awake to truth, Aware of the unseen realm and perceptive to the nature of men.
Where knowledge is, destruction is thwart. Where knowledge lives, the respect for God and others have preceded it.
The house of knowledge is a bright place welcoming good understanding. Understanding that has came from knowing the truth.
The House of knowledge is a place of liberation, because knowing the truth makes a person free. It is also a place of keen discernment, able to understand what kind of spirit is dwelling within a person. To have insights into the deeper part of men.
And right down the road from knowledge is Discretion. Discretion is the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. It is the ability to decide what needs to be done in a situation to resolve, keeping down embarrassment.
The proverbs is a wonderful teaching offered by the Spirit of God through men of old. A Manuel of if you will for the young and/or unlearned to learn the ropes of life.
Prov. 1:1-6
A Manual for Living ~ Message translation
These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
David's son, Israel's king—
Written down so we'll know how to live well and right,
to understand what life means and where it's going;
A manual for living,
for learning what's right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.
In this seemingly utopia neighborhood good counsel rules and the winds of common sense refreshes. Love rules this neighborhood and right living causes it to be wealthy and show forth Glory.
Therefore, pride and arrogance is hated with a passion, crooked talk is not allowed in this fruitful village, as it would destroy it's beneficial style of living ... that of life and that more abundantly.
Lu 17:21
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
