Are you able to help your team face the facts of every situation truthfully? (160-4)
Leaders need to be extremely careful about whitewashing a situation to make their team “feel good” rather than giving their team the accurate facts. Bad information leads to bad decisions and everyone suffers the consequences. Read Jeremiah 14:11-16 and verse 22.
God had brought a terrible drought on the nation of Judah. Jeremiah saw the terrible living conditions, the dried fields, the death of people and animals alike and cried out to God. In verse seven he says, “Although our sins testify against us, O Lord, do something for the sake of your name.” God tells Jeremiah no. Jeremiah continues his discussion with the Lord and tells Him that it is not the people’s fault; there are false prophets giving the people false information about their situation.
The people liked the false prophets because they foretold what the people wanted to hear. Their false information did not allow the people to face the facts and make good decisions concerning their lifestyle and relationship to God. In the short term the people felt some hope in the midst of a hard time but the false information eventually cost many of them their life.
Verses 15 and 16 tell us God reserves special judgment for leaders who do not lead with integrity. Leaders who simply tell their team what they want to hear to seek personal gain or maintain popularity will suffer the consequences of their shortsightedness. The following contrasts between Jeremiah and the false prophets give leaders who consider them some great insights:
- Jeremiah spoke the truth even when it hurt but the lesser leaders sought to make the people feel good.
- Jeremiah sought God’s counsel and checked and purified his motives whereas the lesser leaders were motivated by selfish gain and popularity.
- Jeremiah gave direction that would lead to a long term solution to their problem but the lesser leaders gave direction tied to temporary pleasure and momentary peace of mind.
- Jeremiah was eventually proven right and his leadership validated by God whereas the lesser leaders lost their lives in the very conditions they predicted would not happen.
God provides some succinct advice in the book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 10:10tlb says, “Winking at sin leads to sorrow; bold reproof leads to peace.”
Proverbs 12:19tlb says, “Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed.”
Proverbs 27:6tlb says, “Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!”
Proverbs 28:10tlb says, A curse on those who lead astray the godly. But men who encourage the upright to do good shall be given a worthwhile reward.”
Are you able to help your team face the facts of every situation truthfully? The wise leader does not try to create a positive spin that they are in control but rather creates encouragement, no matter what the current facts, by helping their team to focus on their trust in the sovereign God. Jeremiah accomplished this for the people of Judah in verse 22 when he encouraged the people that it was only the Lord their God who could send rain and that all their hope was in Him.
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