How Should we Evaluate Leaders (and Ourselves)?

October 07, 2016

Everyone wants to be wise. Everyone wants to feel that what they are saying and doing and deciding is right.

But, where does real wisdom come from? And how do we evaluate the supposed wisdom of men or women who directly reject what the Lord has clearly said?

GOD POSES THE ANSWER

... in a disturbing question:

""The wise men are put to shame, they are dismayed and caught. Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord. And what kind of wisdom do they have?"" (Jeremiah 8:9)

Suppose the most brilliant mathematician in the world came to you and questioned your conclusions on a math problem. You were so convinced you were right, (which would be nothing less than the basest form of pride), that you completely rejected their conclusions, although you were 100% wrong in your conclusions.

EVALUATING MAN'S WISDOM

How should we evaluate others' supposed wisdom? And, would it be wise of us to follow others in their decisions if they are rejecting God’s Word, either openly or in practice?

Suppose God's Word contained ""everything we need concerning life and godliness."" And suppose God's Word was the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Suppose the God who made us revealed His mind in a book and yet we never picked up that book, preferring to evaluate all of life and make our decisions without His thinking? What would you call a person who completely rejects what God, the One who created us and sovereignly oversees heaven and earth, has said?

Evaluate yourself and every leader who tries to tell you what he world is like, what it needs, and what the remedies are for life, family, nations, etc., upon a higher basis. Are they men or women who reject the word of the Lord? If they do, they are exhibiting the height of foolishness and doomed to failure in their leadership. And, if you follow them, you will follow them to your detriment.

IT TAKES HUMILITY

... to recognize there is a higher source than your own little mind. That there is Someone greater and wiser than yourself. And, that this One has declared what true wisdom is all about.

Thus says the Lord, ""Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,"" declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

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