A spiritual inventory for leaders

Leadership is an inherently challenging task, with great responsibilities and even greater consequences. Decisions made by leaders can have great impact for good, but just as easily for harm. And for the Christian holding a leadership position, there is the added concern of knowing that we answer to a Holy God, and we will be held accountable to Him for all our decisions.

The Bible lays out many important and valuable principles for how to wisely exercise leadership, and much can and has been written about that, but it is always a good idea to sit down and take a moment to make inventory of where we are in our walk with Christ, especially as leaders.

With that purpose in mind, here is a short compilation of some questions that leaders aspiring to honor God in their leadership can ask themselves to perform an introspective spiritual inventory.

Questions:

1. Is God pleased with my priorities? (Matthew 6:33)

   "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

   -Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

2. Am I willing to learn? (Proverbs 18:15)

   "The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
   And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."

   -Proverbs 18:15 (NKJV)

3. Do I encourage others to correct me? (Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 15:32)

   "Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
   Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you."

   -Proverbs 9:8 (NKJV)

   "He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
   But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding."

   -Proverbs 15:32 (NKJV)

4. Do I have the attitude of a servant? Do people know they can come to me for help? (Matthew 20:28; Hebrews 12:12)

   "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

   -Matthew 20:28 (NKJV)

   "Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,"

   -Hebrews 12:12 (NKJV)

5. Am I loving to others? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

   "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

   -1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV)

6. Am I patient? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 2 Timothy 2:24)

   "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

   -1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)

   "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,"

   -2 Timothy 2:24 (NKJV)

7. Am I sensitive to the concerns of others? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

   "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

   -1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV)

8. Am I a good listener? Do I try to understand the point of view of the other person? (James 1:19)

   "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;"

   -James 1:19 (NKJV)

9. Am I quick to argue? Am I overbearing? (2 Timothy 2:24)

   "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,"

   -2 Timothy 2:24 (NKJV)

10. Do I have any bitterness or resentment? (Hebrews 12:15)

    "looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;"

    -Hebrews 12:15 (NKJV)

11. Am I proud? (Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 29:23)

    "Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
    And before honor is humility."

    -Proverbs 18:12 (NKJV)

    "A man’s pride will bring him low,
    But the humble in spirit will retain honor."

    -Proverbs 29:23 (NKJV)

12. Do I openly confess my sins to others? (James 5:16)

    "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

    -James 5:16 (NKJV)