Christian leaders must be aware they are under the constant righteous supervision of God. Read Jeremiah 23:23-24.

God is delivering a message of condemnation through Jeremiah to religious leaders in ancient Judah who have used His name to give credibility and the sound of truth to their prophecies. Their actions indicate that their core truth about God was that unless He was in the room He would not know what they had done and they would not be under His supervision. Jeremiah gives them these words from God in verse 24, “’Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?’ declares the Lord.”

In God’s economy, Christian leaders bear a special responsibility and accountability. Read Jeremiah 25:33-38.

God’s words delivered through the prophet Jeremiah paint a terrible picture of God’s wrath against the national and religious leaders of the nation of Judah. God will judge the guilty but reserves a special fury for corrupt leaders. Just as in ancient Judah, Christian leaders today will still be held accountable by God for how they use their gifts to administer the trust of leadership He has given to them.

Christian leaders must maintain a close relationship with God if they are to demonstrate dependence on God in their leadership. Read Jeremiah 23:16-22.

The leaders living in ancient Judah wanted to give an appearance that they depended on God but they really were not interested in His guidance. They sought prophetic words but only from their religious leaders who were on their payroll and would speak words they hoped would be the future. Because Jeremiah sought God’s counsel and was obedient to accurately state God’s words, his counsel was not welcome and he suffered at the hands of the leaders while the false prophets, who did not seek the counsel of God flourished.

A wise leader trusts God even when their heart is inclined to do something contrary to God’s revealed will. Read Jeremiah 17:5-10.

Jeremiah draws a sharp contrast between those who depend on human strength and those who depend on God. A leader who is detached from God is in danger, but one who trusts Him will have the elements essential for His blessing. Jeremiah makes it clear that leaders cannot look to both human strength and dependence on God as their supreme basis for trust. Leaders will either ultimately put their hope in the promises and power of people, or they will look beyond human capability to the person and promises of God.

A Christian leader can display unbelievable courage when they are sure of God’s assignment. Read Jeremiah 1:5-10.

Jeremiah was God’s prophet to Judah during a time when God was about to discipline the nation. The military and religious leaders were blind to their opposition to God and felt the nation was flourishing, not about to be judged. Jeremiah would deliver messages of judgment to leaders that were hostile to the concept. This would take courage. Even Jeremiah may have faltered except for his unshakeable conviction that he was God’s man for this specific time and place.