Pride comes before a fall, is what Proverbs 16:18 warns. But do we know the warning signs that pride could be hiding in your Godly Leadership? It is essential to understand the warning signs.
WARNING SIGN #1 – YOU IMMEDIATELY GET DEFENSIVE WHEN CRITICISM COMES YOUR WAY.
Godly Leaders know, in theory, that they should be able to listen to healthy criticism, pray about it, process it, and make some changes. However, when pride is hiding in our leadership, our default is to immediately get defensive of our decisions, our people, and our leadership in general. If you sense this warning sign in your leadership, look to apply James 4:10, “Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Be willing to be a humble Godly Leader that is able to receive criticism, process it, pray through it, and make changes needed.
Two quick side notes – first, there are unique times when Godly Leaders receive unhealthy and unnecessary criticism. It’s always important to stay humble, but it is crucial to use Godly wisdom as well. Second, there are times when you will need to defend your decisions or leadership. The key is not to get immediately defensive but rather to humbly listen, pray, buy some time, and then respond in a Godly manner.
WARNING SIGN #2 – NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY NOR OFFERING AN APOLOGY FOR MISTAKES.
Mistakes are a part of life. When pride is hiding in our leadership, we are slow to admit mistakes and apologize. Instead of apologizing, we offer excuses, share white lies, deflect, and more. The best way to acknowledge a mistake is confession. It is essential for the Godly Leader to proactively admit mistakes, sins, and errors. When we do this proactively, it shows a humble heart.
The other time we need to offer an apology is when we are discovered. If we are caught in an error, sin, or mistake, the humble Godly Leader will freely acknowledge the mistake and immediately offer an apology. Unfortunately, too many of us, too many times, have pride that kicks in, and we immediately provide excuses, share white lies, deflect, and more. This is a significant warning side of pride. Godly Leader, it is essential that if this represents you, you pray for the fortitude to be humble and apologetic reactively and proactively.
I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful.”
WARNING SIGN #3 – REFUSING TO LISTEN TO THE ADVICE OF OTHERS.
Pride causes leaders to believe they know more than they actually do. Proud leaders can act like they “know it all.” Unfortunately, this can lead to isolationism and putting up walls where other Godly people will no longer offer the counsel that we need. When we refuse to listen, other Godly leaders will simply stop and say, “What’s the point?”
Godly Leader, realize and recognize that we are the body of Christ, and it is essential that we have the wisdom of others to succeed, thrive, and make the most impact we can for the kingdom!
A side note – be sure that you have Godly Leaders to hear advice from. Too often, we look to the wisdom of the world and its Godless leaders that we are allowing to greatly influence our lives. It’s a base reason I started this blog: to counter the general leadership principles that so many people follow. It’s not that they are always bad, but they need to always be seen in the reflection of God’s Word.
One of my life verses is Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.” Godly Leader, I encourage it to become one of your life verses as well.
WARNING SIGN #4 – TAKING CREDIT FOR YOUR TEAM’S SUCCESS.
If you are taking the microphone first, if you are the first to gain recognition, if you love the spotlight when credit is being divvied out, then realize and recognize that this is a prime warning sign of pride. Great Godly Leaders will deflect credit to God and their team. Period. End of sentence. Godly Leaders know that without God, they are nothing, and without their team, they wouldn’t accomplish anywhere near what they do with the team.
WARNING SIGN #5 – NOT GIVING GOD HIS RIGHTFUL CREDIT.
Much like warning sign #4, when we refuse to give God His just due, that is our pride seeping in. That placement of us over or even next to God will lead to our downfall. Now, you don’t have to be the football player that preaches Christ after a win or touchdown. Not that that’s all bad, but that can be a pride moment as well. But in your heart, from your mouth, and in your actions, are you regularly giving God His rightful credit as your default reaction? If not, Godly Leader, ask the Lord to provide you with humility and wisdom starting today!
Psalm 96:8 – “Give to the LORD the glory He deserves! Bring your offering and come into His courts.”
We could talk a lot more on this topic, but we’ll leave it there for now. What are your thoughts or questions? Leave them in the comments.
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Love being on this Essential Godly Leadership journey with you!
Essential Godly Leadership: “Leading your life, your family, your work, your relationships, and your world in a way that is seeking wisdom from, and pleasing to, the Lord Jesus.”