Spirit-Led Leadership: Click | View Series

In his stirring book David: Man of Prayer, Man of War, Walter Chantry contrasts the life and leadership of David and Saul. Chantry’s little book is packed with practical and gospel insights for leaders. I love his emphasis on the Spirit.

3 Differences in Leadership between David and Saul:

1. God’s Spirit Incites Zeal. In the face of Philistine blasphemies, David was incited with zeal for the Lord: “He was stirred to the depths with concern for the glory of God.” What is stirring you? Are you stirred to the depths for the glory of God? Do you hide out in your tent, your library, your office, or are you incited with zeal for the Lord to pursue his glory through counseling, discipleship, mission, and preaching? Are you passionately pursuing God’s glory or your own glory?

2. God’s Spirit Incites Faith. Saul relied on bribes to get others to fight Goliath (1 Sam. 17:25). Saul discouraged young leaders like David (to not fight Goliath) because he was motivated by fear, not faith. Remember, God doesn’t look at appearances, but at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Samuel would never choose David, but God did. Are you leading your church or leaders based on fear or faith? Do you insist on control or relinquish it to let others rise up in faith? Are you judging by appearances or looking at the heart? Often we are too doubtful about some and too confident about others. Judge by the Spirit, not the flesh; by faith, not fear.

3. God’s Spirit Incites Wisdom. David’s zealous faith was marked by self-control and tempered by wisdom. When mocked by his brothers, he didn’t pick a fight or defend his abilities, but channeled indignation towards his enemies (1 Sam. 17:28-29). The Spirit produces leaders that are balanced and discerning, not merely zealous and faith-filled. Instead of getting side-tracked by petty issues, Spirit-led leaders learn to lead with, as Spurgeon put it, “one blind eye and one deaf ear.” We need wisdom to discern what voices to listen to and which ones to shut out. We don’t entertain every idea. We follow the Spirit through wisdom, not ambition.

May God make us zealous, faith-filled, and wise. May he never take his Holy Spirit from us. May we lead well and finish strong, ever dependent upon the Spirit, glorifying our great Redeemer and King Jesus!

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