Is vengeance disqualifying you as a leader? (90-4)
October 8th, 2009 in Conflict Management, Leader Qualifications, Relationships | leave a response
Many things can disqualify someone from godly leadership. Unrestrained vengeance is one of the most effective disqualifiers for a leader. God tells us that vengeance belongs to Him: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” Leaders who cannot humble themselves to serve God and those He has raised up will eventually act out of selfish motives and hurt themselves, their team and even the Kingdom. Read 2 Samuel 3:6-39.
Abner had been a general in King Saul’s army and after Saul’s death was the primary military leader holding the opposition forces together under Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth. On a more personal note, Abner was the man who had killed one of David’s nephews, Asahel, in a battle several years earlier. After a falling out between Abner and Ish-Bosheth, Abner contacted David and an alliance was made that in effect would unite the entire nation of Israel under David’s rule.
Following their meeting, David trusted Abner to keep his word and sent him away to unite Saul’s army with David’s men but David’s general, his nephew Joab, brother of Asahel, did not trust Abner and wanted vengeance for the death of his brother.
Joab moved secretly to deal with Abner and plotted to kill him. He determined to kill Abner not because he believed he was a threat to David or the kingdom but out of personal vengeance. Joab sent messengers to Abner to arrange a face-to-face meeting and when Abner arrived Joab killed him in cold blood. In David’s mind this incidence of vengeance disqualified Joab for leadership and David even pronounced a curse on his family.
When Joab lost sight of his true calling, he launched out to serve his own selfish interests. In the end, his actions cost him everything (see 1 Kings 2:28-35).
What items may be in your past that are still festering and if not dealt with have the chance to destroy your right to lead?
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Tags: Humility, Leadership methods, Vengeance
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