Change of heart – Leadership that overcomes

When thinking of a leader who will fight and overcome present problems, and evil, people think of a military or political leader. One that will sort out the issues that the people have allowed to happen over time.

This type of leadership can be characterised by a desire to increase in prestige, status, and influence and a willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve these things, even if it means neglecting or hurting people.

This type pf leadership, however, falls short, as it fails to recognize the need for internal change. Fighting and overcoming evil is a matter of the individual heart. It is not a passive act of standing by, while someone else sorts out issues. It is not an act of creating programs and solutions aimed at external behavior that gives the illusion that by following the steps outlined, problems will vanish.

Unless a person is changed on the inside, no amount of external changes will make a lasting difference. A heart unchanged shows signs of various degrees of fear, pride, resentment, bitterness, jealousy, envy, weak character, not being able to distinguish right from wrong, misplaced priorities, etc (list not exhaustive).

Through His leadership, Jesus showed an unrelenting commitment to the delivery of the love and grace of God into the lives of others. Jesus reigns spiritually and the place of His reign is in our hearts. He reigns in us and through us. When we surrender to Him and His commandments, we will be able to do what is right to fight and overcome evil. One act of faith at a time, choosing daily to pick up our cross and follow Him, letting go of self-determination and self-will, and overcoming our unbelief.

Mark 8:34 (ESV) “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

John 14:15 (ESV) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV) “(25) But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. (26) It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, (27) and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, (28) even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”