Humility

“Nor yet as Lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬

Leading by example requires humility. The sin of ‘lording it over the Flock’ can be a tricky little bugger. I know first hand!

On the one hand, it can seduce us by reading authority into our position. Authority that only belongs to God and His Word. It’s easy to cloak one’s self in God’s Word and use it as a gavel or a club. Control cloaked in “I have more training.” is ‘lording!

An even trickier deception happens, when we ignore or avoid face-to-face encounters of sharing the truth in love. We ‘lord it over the Flock’ by excusing ourselves from the responsibility of lovingly addressing sin-sick sinners. When you announce what you don’t need to or won’t do, that’s control. Again, lording-control is cloaked in “It’s not my gifting or duty.”

On the one hand, we claim to be the SUPERIORLY TRAINED ONE and on the other, we EXCUSE ourselves from fulfilling our calling. In my assessment, both are forms of ‘lording it over the Flock’.

Pray: Father, help us as servants to humbly lead by example. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.