The Character of Leadership – Humility
Note: Over the next few weeks, 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.
This summer, we have seen the character of leadership involves integrity, security, purity, and today, we consider the characteristic of humility.
Humility is NOT putting yourself down or debasing yourself. Humility is NOT insecurity. Humility is an appropriate self-appraisal. Humility is adopting God’s perspective on who you are.
God resists the proud.
1 Peter 5:5, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
God exalts the humble.
James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
God leads the humble.
Psalm 25:9, “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”
God empowers the humble.
Numbers 12:3, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.”
God’s presence surrounds the humble.
Isaiah 66:1–2, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be,’ declares the LORD. ‘But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.'”
A Prayer for Us: Dear Father, Help us to have the mind of Christ (Phil 2:1-11). We confess our need for You and our own sinfulness. You alone are worthy of praise. You are our strength. May we glorify You and seek to honor You as we interact with others.
“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility…” (Zephaniah 2:3)
Your brother in Christ,
BRIAN AUTRY