Did you know that God is not automatically on a leader’s side just because they are the leader? He does NOT approve of them just because they are the pastor or the “man of God” or the “woman of God.” Some leaders walk around as if they have God’s endorsement simply because they bear the title of leader. Nope, it doesn’t work that way. God isn’t super impressed with titles, or positions. He doesn’t give a free pass to someone just because they have a certain role in life and leadership.

If you’re landing on my blog for the first time, just to make things clear– I am a leader. I acknowledge that God is going to evaluate me more harshly. As I write this post, I’m speaking just as much to me as to anyone.

Did you know that not only are there no special protections given by God for the leader–but the Bible says leaders will be evaluated more strictly?

James 3:1 says:

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

I am continually amazed by leaders who think they will get away with more because they are leaders,  simply because they said “yes” to the call, and surrendered their lives for God’s purpose. Their original yes was not a carte blanche approval for whatever they do from then on. The fact is, in the end, they will be judged more harshly. It doesn’t matter how many years they have served, and how many accolades they have won over the years. They will not get away with any lack of integrity, or for treating people poorly.

The Bible doesn’t indicate that God holds victory in store for the teacher…

Or the pastor…

Or the district leader…

Or the overseer…

Or the church department head…

Or those who are members of a certain church.

There is only one way to receive any kind of special protection from God and it is given in Proverbs 2:7:

 “He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.”

You might be a little old lady in an obscure part of the world, or someone who gave your life to Christ yesterday, or thirteen years old. And the fact is, if you are walking uprightly (righteously) you have God’s protection just as much as a spiritual leader who is walking uprightly. God is going to give you victory over the manipulator, over the bully, over the liar, over the jealous one, over the narcissist, over anyone and everyone seeking to do you harm.

If you are walking humbly and righteously, you can absolutely count on the favor of God being with you. 

In my life and leadership experience, I have come against all of the above, and more. I have been in situations where I am the least influential person in the room or someone with no status at all. And God moved a proverbial mountain and came through for me because I kept my heart right and I prayed. There was nothing I could do in the natural, for I had no authority over the one(s) who mistreated me, but I have stood still and watched God slay the giants, time and time again.

Another verse I often stand on regarding this is Psalm 84:11:

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

When I am walking in dark times…when it seems like the bully is winning and the liar is believed, God brings light to my darkness and shields me from the snare of the enemy. He gives grace through the challenge, and He will bring glory from it. Then He goes a step further and brings more and more good things into my life! So much, it is overflowing!

Even in the midst of the battle, God allows the upright one to have rest! They can lay their head on the pillow at night and be at peace, for they are right with God!

“He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” Isaiah 57:2

Those who do not walk in righteousness are foolish and become even more of a fool the longer they live that way. On the contrary, those who walk uprightly get wiser!

“He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly”. Proverbs 2:7

A buckler as spoken of in the bible references a portable shield. God is literally a portable shield to the upright leader, while the unrepentant unrighteous leader walks in danger.

It’s just all around better to walk in righteousness! Psalm 119 indicates the blessings flow for that person.

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!” Psalm 119:1

Today I write this to encourage those who are in a battle, particularly with those who are in spiritual leadership who are mistreating you in some way. God has given you all that you need to win this battle. All if takes is doing things God’s way.

Not man’s way.

Not the political way.

Not the manipulative way.

God’s way.

Walk in God’s way and you’re going to slay every giant in your path!