The Inspired Leader: 101 Biblical Reflections for Becoming a Person of Influence (19 page)

In our day spiritual fighting has grown white hot. Satan has established strongholds in American society’s most strategic positions. Various government and business leaders, educators, entertainers, and judicial officials have succumbed to Satan’s deception. The media regularly exposes the fact that the forces of darkness are entrenched in corporate America. Now is not the time to seek refuge from the battle! If there was ever a time for God’s people to be on active duty, it is now. Satan is most dangerous when we adopt a cavalier attitude toward him. It is imperative that we understand two things: First, we must remember who the enemy is and who it is not. People are not the enemy, regardless of how obnoxious they may be! Second, God does not ask us to defeat Satan. Only God can do that. Rather, Christ commanded us to resist Satan and to serve God wholeheartedly as He extends His kingdom through us. Scripture assures us: God and His forces
will
be victorious!

REFLECT FOR A MOMENT

1. Are you someone who avoids conflict? Have you been spending more time trying to avoid spiritual battles rather than being effective as a soldier of Christ?
   

2. How have you responded to opposition you have faced because you are a Christian? Have you felt sorry for yourself? Have you blamed God for your difficulties? Have you become obsessed with Satan and his activity? How do you think God wants you to respond to the spiritual conflicts that are coming your way?
   

3. Have you been aware of the spiritual battles being fought in your workplace? Are your colleagues under attack? Is your boss experiencing conflict? How might you intercede for and provide aid to fellow believers who are experiencing difficult spiritual attacks?
   

IN 1853, CORNELIUS Vanderbilt had become a fabulously successful businessman. The tough-as-nails, shrewd, and at times, unscrupulous tycoon had leveraged his small rowboat business on Staten Island into a shipping colossus that had made him one of the wealthiest men in America. He commissioned the construction of the
North Star,
the largest steamship in the world, as his private yacht and set sail for a victory tour of Europe. Upon his return, Vanderbilt discovered that Charles Morgan and Cornelius Garrison had betrayed him, seizing control of the Accessory Transit Company, and cutting him out of its profits. Both men were hard-nosed businessmen who now could claim to be the first men to best Cornelius Vanderbilt in business.

In response, Vanderbilt published an open letter to Messrs. Morgan and Garrison in several leading daily papers saying: “Gentlemen: You have undertaken to cheat me. I won’t sue you, for the law is too slow. I’ll ruin you. —Yours truly, Cornelius Vanderbilt” (Edward Renehan, Jr.,
Commodore,
199-200). The “Commodore” then launched an all-out assault on his rivals, showing no mercy until he had destroyed them. Few businesspeople have been more ruthless, or accumulated more wealth, than did Vanderbilt. However, he was also an uncouth, profane, licentious egomaniac whose family feared him. He spent his final years dying of syphilis he had contracted through his depraved lifestyle.

If you earn your living in the marketplace, it is inevitable that people will oppose, disappoint, or even betray you. The intoxicating attraction of money can drive people to ambush even their closest friends. The vital question is: how does God want you to respond? God once sent word to Eli, the judge of Israel declaring, “
Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor; and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed”
(1 Samuel 2:30). God promises to vindicate those who live their lives to glorify Him. For those who treat God lightly, God will not rush to their aid in their time of need.

Scripture is clear that the thirst for revenge can bring great harm to an offended party. King David’s son Absalom was justifiably angry when he learned that his half brother Amnon had raped his sister Tamar. Yet rather than address the offense and go to his father the king, Absalom became obsessed with revenge. After two years of plotting, Absalom murdered Amnon and then fled into exile for three years. His relationship with his father and his brothers was irreparably damaged. He would later lead a revolt against his own father that would divide the nation in two. In a final conflict, many people lost their lives, and Absalom was callously murdered (1 Samuel 13-18). Absalom’s story is one of a talented leader who squandered his life and brought great suffering upon others because of his anger toward those who had wronged him. Revenge doesn’t pay.

God has promised that He will be a shield to those who walk uprightly (Proverbs 2:7). However, trusting in the Lord means that we allow Him to choose the means of our protection, as well as the timing of His justice. It doesn’t mean we naively allow our competitors to continually get the better of us. It does mean that we do not become consumed with worry and anger at what others are doing. It requires us to continue to live with integrity, no matter what our enemies are doing. God is just. You can trust Him.

REFLECT FOR A MOMENT

1. Who are some people who have harmed you during your business career? How have you dealt with them? Have you thoroughly forgiven them? Or, are you still holding a grudge for what they did? (Be honest.)
   

2. Have you allowed bitterness to creep into your heart? Perhaps it was merely anger or resentment initially, but have you allowed a previous hurt to fester in your soul until it became bitterness? If so, take time with God and ask him to root it out and to set you free. If you need to ask the forgiveness of someone whom you have wronged, do so.
   

3. Do you trust the Lord to protect you? That does not mean He will never allow you to suffer harm, but He will guide and protect and comfort you. Have you been living in fear or confidence?
   

DURING THE FIRST Battle of Manassas, the untried Union and Confederate soldiers were tested for the first time. As General Thomas Jackson prepared his troops to enter the battle, Confederate soldiers were already withdrawing from the front lines. Some were wounded. Others were fleeing the conflict in fear. Still others were retreating after having been scattered by the enemy. Although disheartened to watch their comrades escaping the fierce tumult, Jackson walked his horse slowly back and forth in front of his brigade, encouraging his men. Later, John Newton Lyle, of the 4
th
Virginia, confessed, “I was scared. I said all the prayers I knew, even to ‘Now I lay me down to sleep,’ and threw in some shorter catechism and Scripture for good measure.” Lyle claimed Jackson “rode about in a shower of death as calmly as a farmer about his farm when the seasons are good.” Amidst the roar of battle could be heard Jackson’s voice calling, “‘All’s well, all’s well’ distinct and in tones as soothing as those of a mother to a frightened child. The repose of his face was of itself reassuring” (James I. Robertson,
Stonewall Jackson,
179). It was during this battle that Thomas Jackson was first dubbed “Stonewall Jackson” for the way he and his brigade held firm against the fierce Union assault.

Courage is one of the essential character traits of people who make a difference in their world. It is one thing to know what you must do. It is another thing to have the courage to actually do it! It is fine to believe in the importance of living and working with integrity. It is an entirely different thing to have the courage to take an unpopular ethical stand at work. However, when we display the courage of our convictions, it inevitably inspires others to do the right thing as well.

Joshua had waited his entire adult life for the moment he would be called upon to lead his people. He had been faithful in every assignment God had given him. He had loyally served the revered Moses as his associate. Joshua was finally made the CEO of the Israelites and told to do what even his mentor Moses had been unable to accomplish—lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. And, as always, God had a word for His servant that exactly addressed what he was facing. God told Joshua: “
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”
(Joshua 1:9).

It often takes courage to do God’s will. That’s because His will is often difficult. In fact, it can be impossible, apart from His intervention. Yet it is often in those challenging moments that we achieve the greatest accomplishments of our life. Life’s tranquil, easy times are certainly less stressful, but they are generally not our most productive. No one wants to look back on his life and wonder, “What if?” What if I only had the courage to do what I sensed God was asking me to do? What if I had not remained silent when I sensed God leading me to speak up? What if I had the courage to say “no?” Courage can save us from a lifetime of regret. The workplace can be a difficult place for Christians. Our colleagues may scorn our standards and convictions. Our boss may pressure us to compromise our ethics. We may be tempted to “play it safe” rather than take the risk of doing what God is telling us to do. There are crucial moments in our life that require courage. Those are when we must know that God goes with us.

REFLECT FOR A MOMENT

1. What is it about living out your Christian life in the marketplace that you find most intimidating? In what area of your life do you need more courage?
   

2. How has the courage of others inspired you? In what ways would your courage motivate those around you?
   

3. Identify areas in your life that require more fortitude. Then enlist some friends to pray for you that your faith would remain strong and you would follow through with your convictions, regardless of how intimidating your circumstances may be.