Your church and the pastor you sit under should give a competitive advantage in business for the following reasons:
- You should be know better than most how to treat people.
- You should set the example in serving others.
- You should have a higher commitment to excellence.
- You should be better at conflict resolution.
- You should understand how to best yield to and leverage authority.
- The Bible is the best textbook on how to use money.
- You should exercise greater patience with others.
- You should complain less than others and have a better sense of contentment.
- You should have the insight to see the absolute best in others.
- You should be a better decision-maker because of your understanding of biblical truth.
Because of these truths, having Crawford Loritts as my senior pastor makes me a better leader and gives me a competitive advantage. Recently, he taught our church about “The Silent Deadly Issue Of Christendom – Legalism”. None of us want to be legalistic leaders and Crawford’s preaching shined some light in this area for me. So much so, I knew I needed to pass his thoughts on to you.
The following are 10 Characteristics Of Legalistic Leaders:
- Legalism is a convergence of guilt, fear and performance driven by a need to please others. As Crawford pointed out, this is also an excellent definition of legalism.
- Legalist point to behavior and actions as the basis of their relationship with God.
- Legalism is an addiction that robs us of self-awareness and objective behavior.
- Legalism feeds spiritual pride.
- Legalist’s performance leads to self-deception and the creation of a false identity.
- Legalist confuse change of behavior with true heart repentance.
- Significance to a legalist is based upon performance and action.
- The trap of legalism is thinking we are never good enough to be loved by God.
- Legalists talk grace but live as though they do not need it.
- Legalism is an over-compensation for the failures we struggle with.
The following are 7 ways to overcome being a legalistic Christian leader:
- Understand your approval is from God, not people.
- See yourself as weak and dependent.
- Do not become an “accidental Pharisee”.
- Develop a vision of God’s unconditional love.
- Make your love relationship with Jesus the focus of your life. Place Jesus on the throne of your heart.
- Always question your motives.
- Think clearly about truth. Understand the difference between Principles/Precepts (biblical truth) and Preferences and Prejudices.
Do you struggle with legalism? If so, what is one lesson you learned from this list which will make you a better leader?
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