“Remember your leaders, who spoke God's message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith.” – Heb 13:7

Godly leaders are responsible to lead their team by walking personally with God and help them to do the same by working with them as a team. While 1Pe2:9 teaches us that as believers we are all priests with full access to God and there is no distinction between “clergy” and “laity”, but the bible also teaches a distinction between leaders and followers. There are various responsibilities associated with leaders and followers.

When a leader leads out of fear of men rather than God, he will avoid confrontation when some influential person sins in the team. Such leader does not want to get involved in resolving relational conflicts in the team.As a result he will not speak out on biblical truths that are not popular for the fear of offending the key influential members of the team.. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare,but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” (Pr 29:25) Such fear will become a trap for the loss of integrity.Leaders must actively seek God and pursue His truth, and help others to do the same.

While integrity is rooted in our heart, it gets reflected in our personal world, reinforced in our professional world and finally revealed in the public world. “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” (Lk 12:2)

Whatever is hidden in our private world will reveal in the public world. A Leader has to guard his heart above all else, lest become a stumbling block to his followers. "If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Mt 18:6)

Let’s pray.

Lord, I know leadership position comes withresponsibilities. Please help me to lead your people with the integrity of my heart. I pray in Jesus precious name. Amen.

Before we go, take a look at the questionnaire below:

1. Have you ever seen a leader whose fear of conflict or offending others ended up worsening a situation? In your opinion, how should such circumstances be addressed?

2. Proverbs 29:25 states, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare.” In practical team leadership, how should leaders balance showing respect to team members with maintaining a firm commitment to the truth?

3. Matthew 18:6 offers a stern warning to those who lead. What insights do you think this passage provides regarding the identity and conduct of spiritual leaders?