Have you ever been led by someone and thought, “I’d follow them anywhere”? How did you feel in those circumstances? Empowered, refreshed, motivated? Maybe, your experience was different and you questioned your leadership and felt oppressed.
While stature and title can be a part of leadership, they aren’t the deciding factors.
For most of us, to be a leader means to be in charge, to be the boss. While stature and title can be a part of leadership they aren’t the deciding factors. In Proverbs 28, God gives us a clear picture of what it takes to be a good leader:
It may surprise you to realize that you can lead right where you are. You don’t have to be in charge to bring stability. You don’t have to be the boss to be fair or respect the law. And you don’t have to be at the helm of a big organization to benefit from wise counsel. Pointing out these qualities in others and refining them in ourselves is a great way to start leading wherever we are.
Reflect: | |
| Proverbs 28:1 | The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. |
| Proverbs 28:2 | For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. |
| Proverbs 28:3 | A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. |
| Proverbs 28:4 | They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. |
| Proverbs 28:5 | Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. |
| Proverbs 28:6 | Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. |
| Proverbs 28:7 | Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. |
| Proverbs 28:8 | He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. |
| Proverbs 28:9 | He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. |
| Proverbs 28:10 | Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession. |
| Proverbs 28:11 | The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. |
| Proverbs 28:12 | When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. |
| Proverbs 28:13 | He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. |
| Proverbs 28:14 | Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. |
| Proverbs 28:15 | As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. |
| Proverbs 28:16 | The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. |
| Proverbs 28:17 | A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. |
| Proverbs 28:18 | Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. |
| Proverbs 28:19 | He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. |
| Proverbs 28:20 | A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. |
| Proverbs 28:21 | To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. |
| Proverbs 28:22 | He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. |
| Proverbs 28:23 | He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. |
| Proverbs 28:24 | Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. |
| Proverbs 28:25 | He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. |
| Proverbs 28:26 | He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. |
| Proverbs 28:27 | He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. |
| Proverbs 28:28 | When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. |
