Every effective leader has clearly defined core values. Read Mark 12:28-34.

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem the religious leaders were determined to have Him executed but it was several days before Jesus was actually arrested. During that time the religious leaders and teachers of the law questioned Jesus often about His beliefs and values. Jesus’ answers always hit a truth that honored God and pointed to His core values.

I don’t remember the exact quote but in his writings Dwight L. Moody suggested that the greatest tragedy of his day was that Christian leaders attempted to traffic in unlived truths. Leaders cannot give away what they don’t believe and incorporate into their daily lives. Leaders must import truth in a way that changes their daily behavior before they export truth. God-honoring leaders transform their “being” (internal beliefs) which changes their “doing” (daily actions). Read Ezra 7:1-10.

Ezra was a Jewish exile living in Babylon. He was a scribe and priest. A descendant of Aaron, Ezra was trained in the knowledge of the Law of God while still a captive in Babylon. In 458 BC King Artaxerxes commissioned Ezra to return to Jerusalem to bring order among the people of the new community re-settled by Jews under a decree by a former king some 60 years earlier. Artaxerxes saw something in Ezra that would make him trust Ezra with civil and religious authority and significant finances.

As Israel approached the Jordan River, Moses sent out 12 spies to investigate the land God had promised to give to His people. Moses appointed one leader from each tribe to represent them in this fact finding mission. All 12 had the same external experience but upon return the report from 10 was significantly different from the other 2. Read Numbers 13:1-14:4.

After the return, 10 of the leaders reported the land was indeed wonderful but would be impossible to conquer. While the other 2 also saw the problems, they believed the Hebrews should enter the land and receive the promise. The difference boiled down to the attitude created by core beliefs of each group. Two leaders believed (had “accepted” as truth that) God was controlling the fate of the people and the other 10 believed God was there but that the results were up to them.