Equipping the Warrior - Leadership Devotional for MenSample

The Head And Not The Tale

Authenticity and faithfulness are essential to godly, spiritual leadership! For far too long, far too many men of God have lowered our standards and become followers of the world’s paradigms. Some of us politic like opportunistic politicians. Some of us chase money like the world’s unscrupulous tycoons. Some of us let media and entertainment lead in our households instead of us with Christ as our Leader. Others of us covet the temporal successes of the world.

Did you know that God promised Israel, His son (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15) that he would be the head and not the tale in every possible way? Oh, I get it; you thought I misspelled tale. No. It’s not a mistaken homonym. Follow me here.

Jesus is our Standard, the true Israel of God who came to live the perfect life so we would be able to follow His example by faith. As such, just as He promised ancient Israel, God’s modern day sons have the privilege of leading in every way imaginable. If a worldly businessman can be successful without asking for God’s guidance, how much more success can a godly man expect? If a worldly husband can be happily married for decades, how happy can a godly man’s marriage be? If a worldly man can be entrusted with millions or billions of dollars, and be of service to thousands of needy people and scores of needy organizations, how much more helpful can a godly man be?

Here’s the point: God is eager to manifest an authentic portrait of leadership through all men that are committed to embracing all His counsels. He wants to demonstrate the truth in us that hypocrites trample daily. They are telling a tale, a fib, on God. By their lack of trust in Him and selfish desires, they make it seem like He is inept at mobilizing authentically faithful men of high standards in this present age.

I challenge you to be a manifestation of the truth that God can indeed elevate all willing men to His standard of leadership in every industry and community. Be the head with integrity, and not a self-reliant talebearer.

Writer: L. David Harris