Are you afraid of confrontation? (84-3)

Many leaders avoid confrontation at all costs. Effective leaders understand the role and positive benefit of confrontation when properly handled. Read 1 Samuel 10:17-19; 12:12-25; 13:7-15, 15:14-29.

A true spiritual leader obeys God when doing so is difficult. Again and again Samuel encountered stressful situations in which he had to confront and rebuke others for failing to trust and obey the Lord. He managed each of these confrontations with clarity, decisiveness and objectivity.

Some things leaders can learn from Samuel concerning confrontation:

• Samuel stated the problem clearly. “But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, ‘No, set a king over us’” (10:19a).
• Samuel stated the problem simply. “Samuel explained to the people the regulations of the kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord” (10:25).
• Samuel spoke to those he confronted face to face. “Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the Lord at Mizpah…” (10:17).
• Samuel gave enough background to insure everyone was working from the same information. “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’ – even though the Lord your God was your king” (12:12).
• Samuel spoke the hard truth when necessary. “You have acted foolishly” (13:13a).
• Samuel set a clear criterion for resolution. “If you fear the Lord and serve and obey Him and do not rebel against His commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God – good!” (12:14).
• Samuel sought a response. He spoke with purpose and urged the people to obey God. “Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you” (12:24).
• Samuel did not confront for personal gain. His sole goal was resolution of the situation. “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right” (12:23).
• Samuel gave hope that with resolution the situation could return to something positive. “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart…the Lord will not reject His people, because the Lord was pleased to make you His own” (12:20-22).

If you think back to the story of the fall of man in Genesis, God was the first leader to confront members of His team who violated established standards. Effective leaders are not afraid of confrontation in part because they do not have a personal agenda but simply want an equitable solution.