Today’s Reading, 2 Samuel 13-15
Focal Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:6 “Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for a settlement. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”
Have you ever been around a person with lots of character and charisma? I have, and let me tell you, it is frustrating on so many levels. Not because they are well-liked by people, but often, people like this have an agenda and use this skill to manipulate others. I don’t understand how people can behave this way and think it’s ok or even biblical. I know with me, what you see is what you get; it is obvious if I’m frustrated or if I don’t want to be around you. People who manipulate others like this demonstrate sinful leadership and a lack of character. However, instead of it being addressed, it is often celebrated.
In today’s reading, we see this happen in the family of David. Absalom was working the crowd and granting every person’s request for a settlement. He did this because he wanted to win the hearts of key people in the life of his father, David. Absalom was manipulating his way to try to take over the kingdom. Since he had a slick personality and could work a room, he was able to turn people against his father. Absalom wanted to be in control and was willing to do anything and everything to get it done.
If you have ever been around a person like this, you understand the frustration it can cause. You try to warn other people, but you’re ignored. Why? Because the person makes key friendships and can bend the ear of influential people. I have learned over the years that these types of people do this because they are positioning themselves to take on a leadership role, or they like to cause pain for other people. In Absalom’s case, he was trying to do both. He wanted power, and he wanted to cause pain for others. His character was flawed.
The challenge that we have as believers is to discern the heart behind anyone who desires leadership. This is one reason why the Bible tells the local church to wait before placing a person into a ministry position. Their character and actions need to be seen for an extended period of time to determine if their hearts are pure.
If you are in a place where your leadership manipulates people, it must be dealt with swiftly. People with no character are adept at building relationships and making themselves look like the victim. As believers, we must be willing to remove people from leadership and check to see if they are true believers. If they are, then correction needs to take place. If they are not, then they need to see the truth of the gospel.
The goal of the devotion today is to demonstrate that good leadership should be celebrated and bad leadership should be condemned. The Bible constantly deals with leadership, and that means it is very important. If we tolerate bad leadership, what type of message does that send? Not a very good one! Christian leaders must have high character and sensitive hearts.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Psalms 3, 4, 12, 13, 28, & 55
