FOUR DANGERS OF BITTERNESS IN A LEADER (By Dag Heward-Mills)
1. A Bitter Leader Can Begin To Mistrust God
There are many unexplained events in the life of a Christian leader. Even in secular politics the good often do not win. The bad and ugly may win elections whilst the good lose out.
I remember when two of my young pastors died suddenly within three weeks of each other. One was twenty-seven years old and the other was thirty-eight years old. What possible explanation was there to such an event? As I comforted the wives of these two pastors I wondered to myself, “As a messenger of God what explanation could I give to a wife who had been married for only seven months?”
What explanation could the church give when James, the brother of John, was killed by Herod? Didn’t the early church need the contribution of James to build a solid foundation for the church? Why did God allow James, the brother of John, to be taken away at such a time? Was soul winning not important? Was church planting not important? Was there not a need for more laborers? How could God allow such a thing?
Inspite of the inexplicable occurrences of this life, a leader must continue to trust.
2. A Bitter Leader Can Begin To Hate The People He Leads
As human beings manifest their nature of betrayal, ungratefulness and forgetfulness, a leader can gradually become bitter towards the flock. I have experienced many painful things. I have learnt that I must forgive and move on. Without a sweet spirit I will not be pleasing to God. Every bitter experience is a test of my ability to walk in love. I always pray that I will pass these tests.
3. A Bitter Leader Can Hate His Contemporaries And Colleagues In Ministry
Unfortunately, it is your contemporaries in leadership who seem to wish you ill more than anyone else. Even unbelievers do not have some of the hateful attitudes that contemporaries and colleagues seem to have! God has given us all of these so that we may truly walk in love towards all men. If you fail to walk in love, your ministry will amount to nothing in the presence of God.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I AM NOTHING.
-1 Corinthians 13:2
4. A Bitter Leader Will Have A Distorted Message
Bitterness is described in Hebrews as a root which defiles many people. It is akin to poison in your drinking water. One of the things that bitterness poisons is your message. A bitter person has a discoloured and distorted message. Do not let your pain prevent you from ministering God’s love to people.
Dag Heward Mills | Essentials of Leadership
If you are blessed by the teachings of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills and Other Great Men of God Subscribe To This Youtube Channel and Enjoy Many Inspirational Spirit-filled.