6 Dangerous Viruses That Take Leaders Down

The enemy of our souls and of His ministry through us is always on the hunt for ways to bring us down. Eric Geiger shares 6 dangerous viruses that take leaders down. Please prayerfully read what Eric has to share and pray for the protection of the Holy Spirit over your life and ministy.  Originally posted by Eric Geiger

6 Dangerous Viruses That Take Leaders Down

Six deadly viruses that leaders can be hit with!

Not all viruses have the same devastating impact on people. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other organizations have plotted viruses on a chart with deadly on the y-axis and contagious on the x-axis. Some viruses are just more deadly than others. Regarding spiritual viruses, here are 6 (not an exhaustive list) that take leaders down.

1. Greed

Leaders, even ministry leaders, can be filled with greed—the continual desire for more— often more money. When greed has a leader’s heart, the leader makes decisions that are centered on cash and not on Christ and His people.

2. Lust

When lust resides in a leader’s heart, the leader makes destructive decisions. What once seemed unthinkable becomes a fantasy that can easily move to reality. When lust grows in the heart of a leader, a fall is inevitable.

3. Revenge

When leaders are harmed or feel like they have been harmed, they can wrongly feel it is their role and responsibility to right every wrong and extract pain from others—pain they feel makes the scales even. A leader filled with a desire for revenge fails to walk in wisdom.

4. Independence

Sometimes leaders use the excuse that “no one understands” as justification for their preference to be alone. But when leaders are alone, they make foolish decisions.

5. Pride

Because leaders are often in places of authority and influence, pride can easily build in the heart and mind of a leader. When pride spreads, the leader fails to learn from others, fails to recognize the fragility of the moment, and fails to serve for the benefit of others.

6. Laziness

Laziness can plague leaders who feel they have earned the right to stop serving or who have lost their passion for the mission they have heralded. When leaders grow lazy, the culture of those they lead quickly deteriorates.

These may start small, but they can quickly spread in the leader’s heart. Leaders are wise to continually ask the Lord to search their hearts to bring these to mind so repentance can occur.

6 Areas of Life Where Successful Leaders Practice Self-Discipline

No matter how you look at it, it all eventually comes down to discipline. Effective and fruitful leaders develop disciplines in key areas of life and ministry. Rick Warren shares 6 areas of life where successful leaders practice self-discipline.  Originally posted by Rick Warren

High achievers usually have one obvious thing in common: personal discipline.  Successful people are willing to do things that most people are unwilling to do.

I’ve observed that successful people express self-discipline in six key ways:

1. Successful people master their moods.

They live by their commitments, not their emotions. People who do the right thing even when they don’t feel like it accomplish most of what gets done in the world!

“A man without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls” Proverbs 25:28 (TLB).

2. Successful people watch their words.

They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths.

“He who guards his lips guards his life” Proverbs 13:3 (NIV).

3. Successful people restrain their reactions.

How much can you take before you lose your cool? Unfortunately, a lot of potential influence can be cut short by a short temper.

“If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it” Proverbs 19:11 (GNT).

4. Successful people stick to their schedule.

If you don’t determine how you will spend your time, you can be sure that others will decide for you. When you lead a church that grows in size, you will inevitably be pulled in a multitude of directions. You’ll have to become a great steward of time to be successful in life.

“Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility . . . Make the best use of your time” (Ephesians 5:15-16 Phillips).

5. Successful people manage their money.

They learn to live on less than what they make, and they invest the difference into savings and give to causes that matter. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went!

“The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets” (Proverbs 21:20 TLB).

6. Successful people maintain their health.

They form habits in their eating and activities that keep their energy level up and help them last through stressful seasons in good health. That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements.

“Every one of you should learn to control his own body, keeping it pure and treating it with respect”
(1 Thessalonians 4:4 Phillips).

Where do you need to develop self-control?  The disciplines you establish today will determine your success tomorrow.

But it takes more than just willpower to produce lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than yourself.

The more you accept God’s control over your life, the more self-control he gives you!

A good name is more desirable than great riches

The Bible says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches." In other words, your self-worth is more important than your net-worth.

The common mistake most people make is thinking that reputation is a matter of “image.” So they worry themselves with questions like "How do I look?" or "Did I say the right thing?" To build a long-term good reputation, you must focus on your character, not your image. Respect must be earned. The book of Proverbs in the Bible identifies six character qualities found in people who are respected by others:

1. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH INTEGRITY. "Respected people do not tell lies."(17:7) "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out." (10:9)
2. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH HUMILITY. "Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected."(29:23) "Anyone who listens to correction is respected."(13:18)
3. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH DEPENDABILITY. "Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give."(25:15) "He who keeps an oath even when it hurts will never be shaken." (Psalm 15:4-5)
4. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH HAVING PRIORITIES. "If your goals are good, you will be respected." (11:27) "You will earn the trust and respect of others if you work for good."(14:22)
5. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH GENEROSITY. "He who gives generously to the needy and shows kindness will be powerful and respected." (Psalm 112:9)
6. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH PUTTING GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE. "If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." (3:4-6)

What are people going to remember most about you? How many of these qualities could you work on this week -- starting today?