Sunday, April 22, 2012

Lead By Example


Matthew 15:10-14
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
 10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’”
 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”
 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides.  If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Jesus calls us to listen.  Listen to what others say and test it against what God’s word says.  Listen to what others say and do you hear pleasant messages or disturbing words.  But, most importantly watch what comes out of your own mouth.  Are they wholesome words?  Are they words that you would not be ashamed if Jesus heard them?  Or are they words that contradict the very Word of God? 

If you are around those who are speaking words contrary to the Word of God, leave them, especially when they proclaim to be Christians.  If they are your Christian leaders then run!  Find leaders who are grounded in the word.  Find leaders who are not afraid to speak the truth, just as Jesus was not afraid when He spoke to the pharisees when they were speaking contrary to the Word of God.  Hang around  leaders who lead you closer to the Father, not leaders who try to persuade you or act as though they have a closer connection to God than you. Find leaders who are honest and trustworthy.  Leaders should be living the Word of God not living in contradiction to the Word of God.  Wow, you may say, but that is what Jesus is telling us to do. 

Jesus says there are those out there who claim to know the very Word of God yet live lives that do not reflect His greatness, just like the pharisees, they make up rules as they go.  These are not plants that were planted by the Father and we should get away from them because they will be uprooted.  He calls these leader “blind guides”. 

What about you?  Are you a leader that is grounded in the Word of God who speaks the truth and lives by that truth or are you a leader that makes up the rules as you go?  Maybe you say you are not a leader at all, think again.  If we profess to be children of God we should all be leading in the way that our Father has called us to lead.  Maybe some will be preachers and teachers to the crowds while others of us are those who lead by example, by the words that come from our mouth, maybe we are leading our children or a neighbor.  If you are a called child of God you are a leader and people are watching.

As you seek Him and find Him may your eyes be opened to the truth and may the truth set you free.  Listen, heed the call of Christ to pay attention to not only what others are saying but what you are saying and doing.  Lead others to Him through your obedience to Him.

Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila

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