Are you honoring God in your work, home and church? (77-3)
The leadership and life example of godly leaders focus people on godly principles and God’s word. Without godly leaders it is virtually impossible for any group to have centralized, agreed upon, godly core values and when godly values are compromised, kingdom advancing goals are non-existent or compromised. Read Judges 1:21-36.
After the death of their central leader, the Israelites disregarded God’s directions and decided to negotiate some deals and compromise with the inhabitants of Canaan. The people hoped by doing so they could make friends and avoid confrontation. Compromising their values led to compromising their goals and the lack of a leader to focus an entire nation on commonly accepted godly core values had disastrous results. Compromises:
- The tribe of Benjamin failed to drive out the Jebusites.
- The tribe of Manasseh failed to drive out Canaanites.
- The tribe of Ephraim failed to drive out Canaanites.
- The tribe of Zebulun failed to drive out those in Kitron.
- The tribe of Dan failed to drive out Amorites.
- The tribe of Asher failed to drive out those in Acco and the Canaanites.
- The tribe of Naphtali failed to drive out Bethshemesh.
Consequences:
- Mixed marriages of God worshipers and idol worshipers resulted and faith in God was diluted or destroyed.
- The people demonstrated spiritual apathy toward God.
- There was spiritual division between the tribes and no central truth/belief in God.
- The tribes began to have unresolved strife with each other. National unity was lost.
- Without national unity, military defeat and lack of personal security soon followed.
- The beliefs of the inhabitants became a snare for the Israelites and the goal to be lifelong servants of God disappeared.
- Ultimately their lack of devotion, obedience and service to God had them removed from the land.
Effective godly leaders are vital if God is to be honored in the workplace, family and the church. Write a paragraph that describes your understanding of the short term and potential long term effect of your personal leadership on your team, family and church.
