Jesus Style Leadership 2 - Love & HeartSample

Your Character Reveals Your Heart

Leadership Lesson

Character trumps ability every time. Ability is a gift from God, but character is the fruit of your heart.

Read Matthew 7:15–20.

Comment

Jesus was warning his followers that bad leaders would be a danger in the future. They would look and sound good, but they would damage those who followed them. Jesus said that these dangerous leaders could be identified by their fruit (7:16). Only a lemon tree can produce lemons, and a mango tree only bears mangoes. A tree is quite literally known by the fruit it produces. According to Jesus, it’s the same for spiritual leaders. In the end, their character will show what they’re really like. It’s a leader’s character that reveals their heart. You can’t see a person’s heart, but you can see their attitudes and the way they live. Eugene Peterson translates this: “Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character.” Leaders can appear amazing, but it’s their character that really matters to God and their followers. Character trumps ability every time. It’s your character that shows whether you really are serving God or yourself. Character is so important that God will usually allow young Jesus-style leaders to go through challenges that test their character. He especially checks to see whether you are a person of integrity—the same in secret as you are when everyone is watching. God needs leaders of proven character who will walk the talk.

Prayer

Lord, I appreciate the opportunities to lead that you are giving me. May I lead well. But I really want to be known for my character more than my abilities or successes. I want those I influence to see that You are my motivation. I want them to be more impressed by my godly character than by my capability. As my character gets tested, may I hold on to You. I want to be an open book with no secrets.

Personal Reflection

Can you see any ways in which your character is being tested at the moment? Where are you being tempted to compromise what you believe? Pray for strength to live for Jesus.