How can we avoid being "harsh" and "brutal" in our leadership roles? The warning in Ezekiel 34:4 “You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and brutality.” What went wrong for these shepherd-leaders? • They ignored the vulnerable • They withheld restorative care • They refused to pursue the wandering • They substituted servanthood with domineering force Essential shifts for today’s leaders 1. Strengthen the weak ‑ Invest time in mentoring, training, and encouragement (Acts 20:35). 2. Heal the hurting ‑ Listen, pray, provide tangible help (James 5:14-16). 3. Bind up the injured ‑ Address wounds quickly; don’t let offenses fester (Ephesians 4:26-27). 4. Bring back the strays ‑ Pursue reconciliation with those drifting away (Luke 15:4-7). 5. Seek the lost ‑ Lead evangelistically, not merely administratively (Matthew 28:19-20). 6. Reject harshness and brutality ‑ “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” (Philippians 4:5) ‑ “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger.” (Ephesians 6:4) ‑ “Shepherd the flock… not lording it over those entrusted to you.” (1 Peter 5:2-3) Patterns modeled by the Chief Shepherd • Sacrificial service: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matthew 20:28) • Gentle authority: “Take My yoke upon you… I am gentle and humble in heart.” (Matthew 11:29) • Protective leadership: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) Practical daily checkpoints - Am I speaking words that “build up” rather than “tear down”? (Ephesians 4:29) - Have I prayed for those I lead before directing them? (1 Samuel 12:23) - Do I correct with patience and instruction, not anger? (2 Timothy 2:24-25) - Is my ambition to serve or to be served? (Mark 10:43-45) - Would those under my care describe my leadership as gentle and protective? (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8) The outcome of gentle leadership • Creates a culture of trust and safety (Proverbs 29:14) • Fosters growth and fruitfulness in others (Colossians 1:28) • Reflects the heart of the True Shepherd and brings Him glory (John 13:34-35) Choose the Shepherd’s path: strengthen, heal, bind, bring back, seek—and rule with compassion, never with harshness or brutality. |
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