Bible Brad

Spiritual Leadership

3 min read

Traits

  1. Others-focused / Generous

    • Sacrificial loving

  2. Encouraging / non-critical / show gratitude

    • 90% affirm, 10% correct / exhort
    • Give it freely, even when it’s not being received
    • Eph 5:25-27

      Husbands, Love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious - not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

      • Washing is a gentle process
    • 1 Thes 5:10-11

      He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep we will come to life together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.

    • Prov 16:24

      Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

      sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

  3. Lead by example

    • Study, worship, working out, etc
    • Think what you’d love, then show it
    • Remember that being unintentional is also setting an example
    • James 1:21-22

      put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.

  4. Know the word and share it constantly

    • Deut 11:18-21

      Fix these words of mine into your mind and being, and tie them as a reminder on your hands and let them be symbols on your forehead. Teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up. Inscribe them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates so that your days and those of your descendants may be extended in the land which the LORD promised to give to your ancestors, like the days of heaven itself.

    • As men, we should take this role in every relationship. While wives can take this up, and should have an integral role, men should lead their homes. Don’t take the back seat. It’s important for you and your family

  5. Even temperament (not short-tempered, impatient, or moody)

    • Be joyful
    • Be a thermostat, not a thermometer — set the temperature, don’t match it
    • Prov 17:27

      The truly wise person restrains his words,
      and the one who stays calm is discerning.

  6. Control your tongue

    • Speaking of a wise person restraining their words
    • All of James 3 discusses the power of the tongue: how it can both bless and curse, give life or bring death
    • Be intentional about your words
    • Don’t speak incorrectly: say what you mean and mean what you say
    • James 1:26

      If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile (worthless)

  7. Seek God and God’s kingdom

    • Ask God for the changes you want
    • Let God lead you so that you can lead others
    • You can be trustworthy by first trusting in God’s plan for you
    • Matt 6:33

      But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Important

Question: what do you think marks a spiritual leader?

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