{"id":8885,"date":"2011-02-09T05:00:52","date_gmt":"2011-02-09T11:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/michaelhyatt.com\/?p=8885"},"modified":"2011-02-09T05:00:52","modified_gmt":"2011-02-09T11:00:52","slug":"four-temptations-christian-leaders-face","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fullfocus.co\/four-temptations-christian-leaders-face\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Temptations Christian Leaders Face"},"content":{"rendered":"

For more than thirty years, I worked in the publishing field with Christian leaders, authors, and other creatives. During this time, I witnessed the corrosive effects of fame. Very few are able to handle the temptations that come with increased influence.<\/p>\n\n

I have seen leaders get prideful, greedy, and demanding. Sadly, it has increasingly become the norm in a world that values charisma above character. To paraphrase Jim Collins in his epic book, Good to Great<\/a><\/em>, you can build an enduring organization with charisma, but it is more difficult.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n

As I have reflected on my own experience with prominent leaders, I see them struggle with four temptations:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The temptation of priorities.<\/strong> Weak leaders put themselves last. They mistakenly think this is more spiritual. As I wrote in another post<\/a>, it is a dangerous temptation that has left many leaders cynical and burned out<\/a>.\n

    But successful leaders face the opposite temptation. They put themselves first. In fact, some are outright narcissists, putting themselves at the center of their own universe. The correct position, I think, is second<\/em>. Strong leaders put God first and themselves second<\/a>. They know that they can't meet the needs of others unless they attend to themselves.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. The temptation of entitlement.<\/strong> Weak leaders become convinced that they deserve something different. They lose any sense of delight or gratitude. They come to believe what others tell them: they are special and thus deserve preferential treatment.\n

    Successful leaders are alert to this temptation<\/a> and war against it. It can sneak up when they least expect it. So they work hard to thank the people closest to them, knowing that their position is a privilege and likely temporary.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    The temptation of resentment.<\/strong> Weak leaders take offense at every slight. They are hyper-sensitive, reading into every situation more than is warranted. In the \u201cmovie\u201d about them, there has to be drama.<\/p>\n

    The reality is that offenses are inevitable. Jesus Himself said, \u201coffenses must come\u201d (Matthew 18:7). In fact, I would go so far as to say that God often sends offenses<\/em>\u2014for our good and for our sanctification. Strong leaders thus overlook offenses<\/a>, knowing that this is the true mark of maturity and character (see Proverbs 19:11).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    The temptation of popularity.<\/strong> We live in a world that places a high value on fame and \u201cpersonal branding.\u201d We seem to have a list for everything, including the top 100 largest churches and the 100 fastest growing churches<\/a>. It is difficult for me to imagine the early church\u2014the church of the martyrs\u2014compiling these kinds of lists.<\/p>\n

    In reality, Jesus was a publicist\u2019s nightmare. He eschewed fame. He miraculously healed people and then ordered them to keep it to themselves, telling no one about their experience (see, for example, Luke 5:12\u201314). Strong leaders are quick to give others the credit and avoid the limelight. They would rather be effective, even if they labor in obscurity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The bottom line is this: Be careful what you pray for. Leadership is a burden\u2014and a privilege. It is best held with an open hand<\/a>.\u201cThe Lord giveth and Lord taketh away\u201d (see Job 1:21).<\/p>\n

    What temptations do you face as a leader?<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    For more than thirty years, I have worked in the publishing field with Christian leaders, authors, and other creatives. During this time, I have witnessed the corrosive effects of fame. Very few have been able to handle the four temptations that come with increased influence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":8884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[1317,1318,1319,1320,78,1137,1321],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFour Temptations Christian Leaders Face<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"For more than thirty years, I have worked in the publishing field with Christian leaders, authors, and other creatives. During this time, I have witnessed the corrosive effects of fame. 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