"I shall come forth as pure gold."
There was a recent study that suggested that power increases “moral hypocrisy.” That giving a person power makes that person feel entitled and causes a disconnect in their judgment. It also says that those in high-power positions tend to judge morality of others while not practicing what they preach.
As if everyone NOT in power practices what they preach.
Though I don’t agree completeley with the study I will say this: character is a necessity in leadership.
The Necessity of Character
I didn’t agree with the study because the media tends to shine a light on those who slip rather than those who don’t. But that’s what drives ratings!
But understand this: everything you build will be built on the bedrock of your character. And if that rock isn’t sturdy everything on it will fall in due time.
One time God comforted King Ahaz because two other kings were trying to destroy him. He said something that truly blew my mind:
“This invasion will never happen, because Aram is no stronger than its capital, Damascus. And Damascus is no stronger than its king, Rezin… Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria. And Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah. You do not believe Me? If you want Me to protect you, learn to believe what I say.” [1]
In other words, “Since an empire is no stronger than the character of the person leading it, don’t worry about their threats. Just trust Me!”
Everything you build will be built on the bedrock of your character!
The Impact of a Leader’s Mistake
The Bible says, “Dead flies will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! Yes, an ounce of foolishness can outweigh a pound of wisdom and honor.” [2] Interestingly, common oil is not so liable to injury. If it were touch it wouldn’t be that contaminated. But the more delicate the oil (or the more highly prized) the more it matters.
In other words, when a leader (or person of influence) falls everyone feels it! In fact, one study suggests that $12 billion of stock value has been destroyed since the Tiger Woods scandal. Wow!
Apart from vision, resources, tenacity, charisma, and etc…sound character is a necessity.
That’s why God takes such a LONG time in developing His leaders! He cares more about your character than your career.
What do you think?
- Isaiah 7: 7-9 (New Living Translation)
- Ecclesiastes 10: 1 (New Living Translation)
