Leading While Under Attack pt.2

Absalom conspired against David from within his family. Sennacherib was an outsider who wanted to overthrow Hezekiah from his God appointed position. Haman launched an all out assault against Mordecai and even tried to unjustly execute him- all b/c Mordecai refused to compromise what he knew God wanted him to do (or not to do).

Let’s learn together from these people who endured attacks similar to ones you encounter. Let’s learn from their mistakes and not repeat them. Let’s repeat the things they did right.

We’ll start with the most complicated one of them all: Absalom and David.  But, before we do remember – Romans 8:31

"What shall we say then in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

It can be extremely difficult to deal with an initiative launched against you or your leadership when it’s cunningly initiated by someone close to you and who seeks to get close to other prominent people in your organization.

It also hurts deeply.

This kind of plot can make you paranoid. It can cloud your judgment and take your emotions on a roller coaster ride that sometimes seems out of control.

King David knew very well about the pains and potentials of this kind of scheme.

Psalm 55:12-14:
"If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man like myself,my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked among the crowds at the house of God"

David overcame the pains of conspiracy and rebellion. There were some things he did very well. There were some things that he did not handle well. However, the favor and grace of Almighty God trumped his mistakes and assured victory over this battle.

David’s position and future was being threatened by a person he loved and provided for. Outwardly, his third and favored son, Absalom was beautiful and projected a harmless image. Inwardly, he was vicious and had a self centered agenda hidden under a cloak of religion.

Absalom’s manipulative, scheming ways can be traced back to offenses. Absalom had been let down and offended by his dad. He harbored unseen bitterness against his brother Amnon. Instead of turning to God and being healed, Absalom turned on those who wronged him. Avoidable disasters and division soon followed.

Are you facing an Absalom-like personality at work, in your organization, or your ministry? 

Tomorrow we’ll examine some facts about Absalom.

A few benefits will occur when we do:

1.        You be able to accurately identify an Absalom personality.
2       We’ll discover how to deal with an Absalom like personality without hurting those he’s 

      cleverly lured into his web of deceit
3       We’ll find out what must be done to ensure victory over Absalom- like plots and 

      personalities

Leading While Under Attack

If you were on a ship heading into a massive unavoidable storm, who would you want leading you through the dangerous stormy waters: A captain who’s safely guided his ship and passengers through many storms or a captain who has only studied how to do it? A smooth sea will never make a skilled captain. Sailing through tumultuous waters develops his skills.

Turbulent times temper our leadership. They’ll equip us with valuable skills. I will always prefer to follow someone who has successfully navigated through many stormy trials; someone who can tell me through experience how to do what they've done, not just through theory.

There are things you must do when your leadership has come under attack to effectively navigate to calmer waters. There are things you absolutely, positively should not do. Doing these things could sink whatever “ship” you’re in charge of.

In this series “Leading While Under Attack”, we’re going to discover how to lead effectively when the enemy of your soul is showing aggression towards you. You will learn to lead smarter and you’ll be stronger.

The first thing you should do when you’re leadership is under attack is to turn to the many great leaders who suffered attacks in the same ways you have. Learn from them. In the next few posts we are going to look in detail at the following examples and discover what to do and what not to do when we're targeted with malicious intent.

Judas betrayed the greatest leader ever. King David’s own son attempted to turn people against him and take over his father’s God-given kingdom. Sennacherib tried to use fear and get people under Hezekiah’s authority to doubt him as a leader. Haman attempted to execute an innocent man because he refused to compromise and bow down to him. 

However, I absolutely love the final outcome of each of these events! When you’re fully submitted to Jesus and apply His teachings, you’re opposition doesn’t stand a chance! He’s not fighting against you but Almighty God and you are more than a conqueror through Christ.

The second thing you need to do as a leader is to be aware of Satan’s schemes. – See 

2 Corinthians 2:11 and 1 Peter 5:8 

The Bible teaches us how to overcome his schemes and be better as a result.

Leaders are targets.

The devil is a crafty ole snake. He targets people in strategic positions – like pastors and other leaders. His desire is to reduce a leader’s character, create doubt, and to attack one’s confidence in the God-appointed leader, or in themselves. He looks for people with un-yielded or partially yielded hearts to use as his pawn.

Sadly but not hopelessly, many have allowed themselves to become instruments of unrighteousness. They've have become a pawn in the devil’s hand – taken captive by satan to do his will. There’s always hope for the person satan may be using against you though. Never stop praying for them. Be as wise as a serpent but as harmless as a dove.

Remember they aren't your enemy. The devil working through them is. See Ephesians 6:10 -14. Notice the amount of times the word stand is mentioned. You will remain standing if you adhere to the principles we’ll learn from the previously mentioned people who successfully sailed through turbulent times in their leadership. Turbulence tempers leadership.

 In the next few posts, we will discover how critical it is to learn from those leaders who have been where you are. We’ll also learn how to become more aware of the enemy’s tactics. We can then be proactive instead of reactive. Your leadership will be tempered as a result of the turbulence you may be enduring. Join me on this journey. You’ll be glad you did.

3 2 1 Lift Off

Here we go.  Hold On!!