The Spiritual Qualities Necessary in Christian Leaders
There are also spiritual qualities that are necessary in Christian leaders. These spiritual qualities are the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in a believer’s life. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul reveals the secret as to how spiritual qualities are formed in a Christian’s life. Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
A spiritual leader is a person who has been born again, who has presented himself to the Lord and who is therefore being transformed by the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. The life and character of the spiritual leader has been shaped and molded by the Holy Spirit. The result of the Spirit’s work is that the believer is filled with the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). It is this great work of God through His Spirit that makes a spiritual leader different from all other leaders.
Not every Christian will be called to serve the Lord as a pastor, missionary, or lead a company or organization. But every Christian will have these spiritual qualities—and they are absolutely essential to spiritual leadership. Unlike the natural qualities that all leaders may have, these spiritual qualities are only found in those who have been born again. These spiritual qualities set apart spiritual leaders from all other leaders. Spiritual leaders should be head and shoulders above others in leadership because of the added benefit of the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The spiritual qualities that I have in mind are:
- A deep love for Jesus Christ
- A love for all those who profess faith in Christ
- A life spent in following Christ
- Love for the Word of God
- Wisdom
- Humility
- A life devoted to the ministry of prayer
- A Spirit-filled life
- Brokenness
- The fear of God
- Living for the glory of God
- Discernment
Are you a spiritual leader in your life, home, at work, and in your church? This should be the goal of every Christian. May the Lord help us in this great work of serving and honoring His Son the Lord Jesus Christ!
