The Danger of Corrupt Leadership

In the Bible, we find many warnings against the corruption of leaders who abuse their power and influence to oppress and deceive the people. Two passages that illustrate this are Malachi 2:1-10 and Matthew 23:1-12, and the scope of who leaders are includes anyone in authority.

Malachi was a prophet who spoke to the priests of Israel, who had become unfaithful to God and His covenant. They had corrupted the worship of God by offering defective sacrifices, teaching false doctrines, and breaking their vows. Malachi rebuked them and warned them of God’s judgment if they did not repent. He reminded them of their calling as God’s messengers and representatives, who were supposed to instruct the people in the truth and uphold justice. He also reminded them of their covenant with God, which they had violated by being unfaithful to their wives and divorcing them. He called them to return to God and honor Him with their lives.

Matthew was an apostle who wrote his gospel to show that Jesus was the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. In chapter 23, he recorded Jesus’ scathing denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, who were the religious leaders of Israel at that time. They had distorted the law of God by adding their own traditions and rules, which they imposed on the people but did not practice themselves. They had also become hypocrites, who loved to display their piety and receive praise from men, but neglected the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus exposed their wickedness and pronounced woes on them for leading the people astray. He also contrasted their pride and arrogance with His own humility and servanthood.

These two passages teach us some important lessons about leadership.

1. First, leaders are accountable to God for how they use their authority and influence. They will be judged by God for how they treat His people and His word.
2. Second, leaders are responsible to teach the truth and model godliness. They should not compromise with sin or error, but uphold God’s standards and values.
3. Third, leaders are servants, not lords. They should not seek their own glory or advantage, but serve the needs and interests of others. They should follow the example of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve.

The Bible warns us about the dangers of corrupt leadership and the consequences it brings to the people and the leaders themselves. Here are some examples of leaders who disobeyed God and faced His judgment:

• King Saul was anointed by God to be the first king of Israel, but he rebelled against God’s commands and became proud and disobedient. He also became jealous of David, who was chosen by God to be his successor, and tried to kill him several times. As a result, God rejected him as king and allowed an evil spirit to torment him. He died by falling on his own sword after losing a battle against the Philistines. (1 Samuel 13:1-15:35; 16:14-23; 18:6-19:24; 28:3-25; 31:1-6)
• King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were the most wicked rulers of Israel. They promoted idolatry and worshiped Baal, a false god. They also persecuted the prophets of God and killed many of them. They opposed Elijah, who confronted them with God’s power and challenged them to repent. They were both killed by God’s enemies and their bodies were eaten by dogs. (1 Kings 16:29-22:40; 2 Kings 9:30-37)
• King Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon, the most powerful empire in the world at that time. He conquered Jerusalem and took many Jews into exile. He boasted of his greatness and refused to acknowledge God as the source of his success. He also made a golden image and commanded everyone to worship it or be thrown into a fiery furnace. God humbled him by making him lose his sanity and live like an animal for seven years, until he recognized God’s sovereignty and praised Him. (2 Kings 24:1-25:21; Daniel 2:1-49; 3:1-30; 4:1-37)
• King Herod was the king of Judea under the Roman Empire. He was a cruel and paranoid ruler who killed many people, including his own family members, to secure his throne. He also tried to kill Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem as the Messiah and King of the Jews. He ordered the massacre of all the male children under two years old in that region, but Jesus escaped to Egypt with His parents. He died of a painful disease and was eaten by worms. (Matthew 2:1-18; Acts 12:1-23)

These examples show us the consequences of corrupt leadership: it leads to sin, violence, oppression, deception, and destruction.

As Christians, we are called to be leaders in our communities, workplaces, and families. But leadership is not something that comes naturally to everyone. It requires constant learning, improvement, and humility. Here are some ways that we can become better leaders for God’s glory:

• We should listen to feedback from others and learn from our mistakes. Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” Feedback can help us identify our weaknesses, correct our errors, and improve our performance. We should not be defensive or prideful when we receive feedback, but rather grateful and humble.
• We should seek opportunities to grow our skills and knowledge in our areas of expertise. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” As leaders, we should strive to be competent and credible in what we do. We should not settle for mediocrity, but pursue excellence. We should also seek God’s wisdom and guidance in everything we do.
• We should delegate tasks to others according to their abilities and strengths. Exodus 18:21 says, “But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” As leaders, we should not try to do everything by ourselves, but empower others to use their gifts and talents. Delegation can help us avoid burnout, increase efficiency, and build trust. We should also respect and appreciate the work of others.
• We should encourage others to pursue their goals and dreams. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” As leaders, we should not discourage or envy others, but inspire and support them. We should help others discover their potential, overcome their challenges, and achieve their aspirations. We should also pray for them and cheer for them.
• We should celebrate the achievements and successes of others. Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” As leaders, we should not be jealous or bitter when others succeed, but happy and proud. We should recognize and appreciate the efforts and contributions of others. We should also share the credit and glory with others.

Let Us Pray:

Dear God,

We thank you for the gift of life and the opportunity to serve you and others. We ask you to bless us with wisdom, courage, and compassion as we strive to be good leaders in every sphere of life. Whether we are leading our families, our communities, our workplaces, our churches, or our nations, we pray that you will guide us with your grace and truth.

Help us to listen to your voice, to follow your example, and to seek your will in all that we do. Help us to be humble, honest, and faithful stewards of the resources and responsibilities you have entrusted to us.

Help us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to be peacemakers, justice-seekers, and hope-bringers in a world that needs your light. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.