Lead Strong: Leadership Lessons From The Bible - Part 2Sample

Leader Are Wise January 1st is the day each year that I join the masses in a desperate attempt to get my curvy, menopausal “temple” in shape. The problem is that I don’t love exercising, and I’d rather chat than exercise. So, I discovered that talking on my phone while walking was a great solution. The problem is that the faster I talk, the less I walk because I can’t breathe, and the faster I walk, the less I can talk. The same holds true in our busy lives of doing things for Christ. We are going through the motions at hyper speed and don’t always recognize the importance of what we are saying to others in the process. Exercising wisdom in our words has as much of an impact on others, if not more, than the things we accomplish as leaders. James 3:3-5 (MSG) says it like this, “A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything – or destroy it!” We are surrounded and bombarded signs and billboards everywhere we go. Social media now dominates as the leading way to connect. Our communication and words affect everyone we come in contact with. You are a billboard for what you believe and who you are! With great liberty comes even greater responsibility. There is life and death in the tongue and our relationships can quickly become ruptured by a careless post. Here are three simple ingredients to help us use wisdom when we speak: 1. Contemplate before you communicate. Prov. 16:23 says it like this, “intelligent (wise) people think before they speak, what they say is then more persuasive.” 2. Frankness is better than false flattery. We must speak the truth in love. Sometimes it’s tempting to avoid conflict and use a form of false flattery to bring peace. As wise leaders we can be truth-tellers if we season our words and make sure that they don’t destroy or flatter, but build up and challenge to whom we’re speaking. 3. Care before you share. Wise words can mend hurt and calm emotions. Our ultimate goal is to channel the incredible, amazing grace that God demonstrates to us each day. By Kimberly Scott