The Character of Leadership – Purity

Note: This summer, I am sharing some characteristics of leadership. Seminary president and leadership teacher Jeff Iorg has been a blessing in my life as I have studied the subject of leadership and sought to mature more as a leader. I have often recommended his book The Character of Leadership. I am indebted to him for sharing with us “key words” that should characterize our leadership.

Over the past few weeks, we have taken notice that the character of leadership involves integrity, security, and today, we consider the critical need for purity.

Jeff Iorg warns, “No failure is more devastating to ministry leaders, their followers, and their families than moral failure.” -The Character of Leadership (p. 70).

Ultimately, immorality steals your strength and makes you sick (Proverbs 5:9; 5:11).

The Bible reminds us of the critical necessity and priority of purity:

Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Psalm 119:9, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”

Hebrews 13:4, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”

1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”

Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality”

Romans 13:14, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

A Prayer for Us: Dear Father, You are holy, holy, holy (Isaiah 6). You call us a royal and holy priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2). Your Word is clear to us – purity is a critical priority. Help us Lord God. We ask You to lead us to fortify our families. May we cherish and rejoice in the blessing of them. I pray I will rejoice in the wife of my youth and be “lost in her love” (Proverbs 5:15, 18, 19). Thank You that I am not alone and may I invest in and cherish relationships that motivate morality, promote purity, and encourage holiness. Thank You Lord for Your ever looming presence and power. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24–25).

Your brother in Christ,

BRIAN AUTRY
Executive Director
SBC of Virginia