In what ways can we avoid Herod's mistakes in our leadership roles? Setting the Scene “Now Herod was in angry dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him in agreement, and after winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.” (Acts 12:20) Herod’s Cascade of Failures • Pride: Accepted worship as a god (Acts 12:21-23). • Anger & Intimidation: Used scarcity of food as leverage against Tyre and Sidon (v. 20). • Persecution: Had James killed and Peter imprisoned (Acts 12:1-4). • No Accountability: Surrounded himself with flatterers, not truth-tellers. • No Fear of God: “He did not give glory to God” (Acts 12:23). Result: “An angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Leadership Lessons • Pursue Humility – “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) – “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.” (1 Peter 5:5) • Give God the Glory – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) • Serve, Don’t Dominate – “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Mark 10:43-44) • Exercise Just Stewardship – “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) • Maintain Accountability – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) • Guard the Tongue – Refuse flattery that inflates ego (Proverbs 29:5). • Respect God-Granted Authority – “There is no authority except from God.” (Romans 13:1) Practical Steps to Avoid Herod’s Pitfalls 1. Begin each task with a private moment of thanksgiving, aloud acknowledging God’s ownership. 2. Invite at least two mature believers to critique your decisions before finalizing them. 3. Redirect praise: “Thank you—any good you see is God’s grace at work.” 4. Schedule regular study of passages on humility (e.g., Philippians 2:3-11). 5. Use authority for provision, not manipulation—meet needs rather than create dependency. 6. Review how resources are distributed; ensure fairness and transparency (Deuteronomy 17:18-20 principle). 7. Keep short accounts with God—confess pride immediately (1 John 1:9). Guardrails Against Pride • Fast periodically to remember dependence on God. • Memorize Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” • Celebrate others’ successes publicly and sincerely. • Limit honors that spotlight self; channel them into spotlighting Christ. Cultivating a God-Centered Legacy • Mentor upcoming leaders in servant-leadership (2 Timothy 2:2). • Invest resources in kingdom work, not self-monuments (Matthew 6:19-21). • Finish like Paul, not Herod: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) Following these patterns keeps leadership free from Herod’s errors and anchored in God-honoring humility, service, and accountability. |
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