The Inspired Leader: 101 Biblical Reflections for Becoming a Person of Influence (10 page)

When tempted—the operative word from God is FLEE! I originally limited this response to sexual temptation, but God has expanded my understanding of this concept to a much broader context.

In 1 Timothy 6:9-11 Paul writes, “
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, FLEE from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness
.” In 1 Corinthians 10:14 he says, “
FLEE from idolatry
.” In 1 Corinthians 6:18 he expresses God’s command to, “
FLEE from sexual immorality
” (
NIV
1984).

Each of us has different temptations to which we are particularly vulnerable. God recently revealed an area that I didn’t think was a problem for me—pride. When I receive acclamation and praise for something, it is easy for me to say it doesn’t matter (possibly a false humility). God revealed to me the truth that I have to flee the praise of others and get to the spot where the “applause of one” is sufficient—completely sufficient—for the assignments He’s entrusted to me.

God promises to help us defeat temptation in our lives and gives us a surprising truth. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “
And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it
” (
NIV
1984). It is critical to note that God’s provision still requires a response on our part—FLEE! God says He will provide a way out, but we must avail ourselves of that opportunity. He will not force us or make that decision for us. David had a way out with Bathsheba: avert his eyes… FLEE! He didn’t take it.

And God’s surprise? It is found in James 4:7. “
Resist the devil and he will FLEE from you
.” (
NIV
1984). So as we obey God and resist the devil by fleeing from our temptations, Satan, the tempter, will flee from us.

A final thought—many times we know something is wrong and it is clear that we should flee. At other times we aren’t quite so sure. I suggest you flee in these circumstances and figure it out later. When in doubt… FLEE!

REFLECT FOR A MOMENT

1. What sins are you most susceptible to commit? What have you done to ensure you avoid them?
   

2. How quick are you to flee when temptation comes? Have you been guilty of lingering when you should have fled? What can you build into your life so you do not find yourself in a compromising situation in the future?
   

3. Have you repeatedly committed the same sin? If so, why do you think that is? How do you think God views your behavior?
   

Richard McClure

President, UniGroup, Inc., and

CEO, United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit

OUR HUMAN PERSPECTIVE is enmeshed in our concept of identity. I am the son of Charles and Dorothy McClure, the husband of Sharon, the father of Ryan and Lindsay. Those are family identities for which I am extremely grateful. In the Bible, men and women were frequently identified through a listing of their ancestors and offspring. I am also currently identified by my current job as a CEO.

The danger in some identities, particularly my identity in business leadership, is that I become defined in my mind by my title at work. When I became a CEO, I found that my ideas were suddenly better, my jokes were funnier, and my decisions greeted with more acclaim. Nothing had changed, of course. I had the same flaws I had before the title was given to me. Business leaders live in an environment where deference is prevalent—and if we’re not careful, the impact on our identity inflates our ego and ties our self-image even more to the titles we hold temporarily. If my identity becomes defined by my CEO title, then when that title comes to an end, my identity goes with it.

At one point in my career I left an important government post (at least I thought it was important) and took a job in the banking industry. I went from a big job with a big title and a big office in the state capitol to learning the ropes in a new career. It was a great opportunity—but the job, the title, and the office (really a desk in the middle of the floor) were not the same. It was one of the best lessons I ever learned. My identity was not in my temporary government title or in my new job. I needed to learn a healthy perspective about my identity—that the way the work world defines me is not who I am.

The most important identity to which I aspire is as a follower of Jesus of Nazareth. A game we played with our children in the car is called “Who Am I?” The game involved asking questions until you guessed who the questioner was thinking of. That is not a bad question to ask ourselves! Who am I, in the eyes of others? If people playing the “Who Am I” game were asking questions about morals, ethics, values, and Christian character, how long would it take them to identify me? What does my behavior reveal about my character? My identity in Christ, not my job title, is who I aspire to be.

I desire to be known by the grace I have been given in Christ. I want to identify with Christ’s sacrifice, His eternal values, and by living a life based on the love He modeled perfectly for me. That is the identity I am seeking. When my identity is based first and foremost on my relationship with Christ, I have my priorities in order. But when my identity is based on my own actions, my character falls far short of God’s ideal. Fortunately, there is nothing I can do to earn Christlikeness—it is given based on unmerited favor. His grace, His redemptive mission and His perfect love provide the only eternal framework for my identity. Everything else is temporary at best.

REFLECT FOR A MOMENT

1. What factors have exerted the most influence on your sense of identity? How important to you is your job in determining your identity?
   

2. How important is your identity in Christ to you? How has your relationship to Christ affected the way you view yourself? How has your relationship to Christ affected the way others view you?
   

3. What has exerted a greater influence on your sense of identity, your job or your relationship to Christ? Why is that? How might your walk with God become a greater influence in the formation of your identity in the future?
   

Ron Wagley

Chairman, CEO & President Transamerica Insurance (retired)

THE MARKETPLACE HAS unique pressures and challenges. For many, sitting in the CEO’s chair is viewed with admiration and envy, fueled by a distorted and incomplete perception narrowly focused on prestige, perks, and power. Needless to say, there is another side unknown to most.

At no time is this side more evident than today as business leaders struggle to function in the current economic environment. Difficult and unpopular decisions must be made to assure survival. For executives who are committed to Jesus Christ, such actions, in spite of being justified and necessary, are made even more difficult by their need to act and respond in accordance with God’s ways. Being difficult has never been an acceptable reason or excuse for the absence of Christ-centered leadership! To the contrary, godly leadership is greatly needed during tough times.

While the factors for determining specific actions are unique for each business, there are two critical questions common to all organizations led by followers of Christ: What role does faith play in leading the organization through this difficult time? And, does God provide help? It’s been said, “If your faith doesn’t make a difference in the things that make a difference, then what’s the difference?” The world watches the actions and reactions of believers in Jesus to life’s experiences and wants to know, “Does God make a difference?”

We see this “God difference” in Daniel 6 when Daniel was the victim of a sinister plot that manipulated King Darius into enforcing a law that sent Daniel into a lions’ den. Scripture tells us that early the next morning the king hurried to the den calling out a question that still resounds today, “
Daniel, was your God whom you serve able to rescue you?”
(Daniel 6:19-20). As in the days of Daniel, the world is watching Christ-centered businesspeople and asking whether God makes a difference! Does Christianity merely mean we must forfeit our Sunday mornings to church attendance, or does being a Christian noticeably improve our lives? You know the rest of the story as Daniel greeted the king and “
not a scratch was found upon him
.”

Early in my career I learned that I needed to be able to “march when the band was not playing.” People follow the CEO’s lead and cadence. It is far easier to march during good times; however the test of leadership is to continue to march when things are not so good. I also discovered that as a follower of Jesus, God’s band never stops playing and we can continue to march to a different beat—God’s beat—and confidently lead while relying upon, being guided by, and trusting in our Lord.

Yes, business is tough but we serve a great God who knows well each and every situation. Contrary to the business naysayers and the media pundits, take comfort in Proverbs 3:5-6, “
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind; and do not rely upon your own insight or understanding; seek His will in all you do and recognize Him in all your ways and acknowledge Him and His guidance and He will direct and show you what to do and which path to take.
” (NASB; NLT;
AMPLIFIED
combined)

This could be your finest hour! March on! God is with you and, like the popular TV commercial, is shouting above the business turmoil, “Do you hear me now? Do you hear me now?” Stay close and be led by our great God!

REFLECT FOR A MOMENT

1. What difference has your faith in Christ made in the way you lead and work? Should it have exerted a greater influence than it has? If so, how? How easy has it been for you to incorporate your faith into your business life?
   

2. If you are in a position of leadership, what impact have you had on those you lead? Has it been positive or negative? How might God use your life to exert a greater influence on others?
   

3. How have you felt pressured to compromise your faith at your job? Do you find it difficult to lead when others do not hold the same values and beliefs that you do? What could you build in to your life so your faith plays a greater role in your workplace?