An effective form of communication used in the Proverbs is juxtaposing the lifestyles of two opposites. Leaders can learn a lot from the comparison of the ant from the insect world with the human sluggard. Read Proverbs 6:6-11.

Every leader is probably familiar with the instinctive work habits of the ant to gather and store food during the summer months so they have enough to survive during the winter, but leaders may not be as familiar with the word “sluggard.” The dictionary definition is someone that is lazy; somebody who avoids work or physical exertion. Read more »

Effective leaders help their team develop as leaders and at times this will mean correcting unacceptable behavior. Read Proverbs 3:11-12.

God’s Word gives leaders a model to follow. Think through the powerful implications of verse 12. Few things are more difficult for a leader than to give a firm rebuke to a team member yet a leader who truly loves their team will be found as quick to exhort and discipline their team as reward them. From my own experience it is tough enough to exhort and correct teammates when they make a careless or inadvertent mistake but when someone on the team purposefully imposes their own will to violate the established criterion for behavior or protocol the job is just that much more difficult. Read more »

Wise leaders use long-term vision to prevent mistakes in short-term decisions. Read Psalm 37.

Israel’s second king, David, had some roller-coaster moments in his life. He was anointed king by Samuel at age 15 but spent the next 15 years with trouble in one form or another perpetrated by Saul, the king in power. Saul sent ruthless men to kill him and even personally tried several times to kill David. When David became king there were times when his own generals, leaders in his army, rebelled against his leadership and even members of his own family let their evil side try to harm their own father. David had numerous life challenges but he did not allow them to drive his long-term decision making. Read more »

Godly leaders strive to be just and fair but, as the ultimate leader, when God enters a situation He brings perspective and exhortation that is truth. Read Job 38:1-39:30.

Job was in a desperate situation physically and emotionally. He was discouraged from his verbal exchanges with his friends concerning the “why” of his situation. Job had gone so far as to justify himself before God and his friends by saying things such as he had made and kept a covenant before God not to look lustfully on a girl, he had never let the poor or underprivileged go with out help, and he had never rejoiced at his enemies misfortune. He was very close to stepping over a line to say God had unjustly allowed him to be in this desperate situation. Read more »

Christian leaders must filter the counsel of their inner circle through the truth of God’s word. Read Job 24:25.

Job’s loss of family and possessions had him at a very vulnerable time in his life. Job’s friends believed he must have behaved treacherously to have met with such tragedy. At a time when Job most needed the love and encouragement of his friends, he received only their condemnation. Read more »