Leaders – Should Christians Follow Any Leader?

Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?” Exodus 17:2

“…the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord.” Exodus 17:7

It’s interesting to me that the parallel found in these verses, “complaining against” and “arguing with” God’s appointed leader, is associated with testing the Lord.

It seems a cautionary tale for us to be careful of our thoughts, words, and actions when it comes to leaders who profess Christ, especially if we consider…

“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Hebrews 13:17

It gets a bit more intense if we weigh our thoughts, words, and actions when we consider the following…

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” 1 Peter 2:13-14

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2

I’m not saying we should, carte blanche and wholesale, submit to every command given by a leader, especially if the command is in opposition to God’s Word, because we have Biblical consideration given here…

“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!'” Acts 5:29

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'” Daniel 3:16-18

“The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.” Exodus 1:17

We are left with this: following can be difficult and leading can be difficult. For me, I have found wisdom in navigating by relying on God’s Word, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and the counsel of elders.

GOD’S WORD

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 | “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4

PRAYER

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 | “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

HOLY SPIRIT

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13 | “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

ELDERS

“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” 1 Peter 5:5 | “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

I think a good summary for discerning the proper response to not only leadership, but all things in the life we’ve been given by the Father, through Christ Jesus, and led by the Holy Spirit, can be found in Proverbs 3:5-6…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”