Three quotes on righteous leadership provide a good introduction to Proverbs 14. “The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom” (James Allen). “There is no power on earth that can neutralize the influence of a high, simple and useful life” (Booker T. Washington). “He who influences the thought of his times influences the times that follow” (Elbert Hubbard).
Leadership that builds up is contrasted to leadership that tears down.
Leadership that Builds Up:
1. Fears the Lord
2. Lips preserve them
3. Many oxen and much progress
4. Not lie
Leadership that Tears Down:
1. Despises the Lord
2. Lips is rod for his back
3. No oxen and no progress
4. Speaks lies (Prov. 14:1-5)
Leadership that builds up fears the Lord, honest, careful with speech and works hard.
The wise who finds knowledge and understanding is contrasted to the scoffer or fool who can’t find wisdom:
Qualities of a Wise Leader:
1. Discern words of knowledge
2. Understand his way
3. Good will
4. Heart knows its own bitterness and stranger does not share its joy
5. Flourish
Qualities of a Foolish Leader:
1. Can’t discern words of knowledge
2. Deceit
3. Mock at sin
4. No self awareness
4. Destroyed (Prov. 14:6-11)
The wise discerns words of knowledge, knows his way, self aware and flourishes.
A life-giving strategic plan for leaders is contrasted to the death-producing strategic plan. Even in laughter the heart may be in pain and the end of joy may be grief (Prov. 14:12-13).
Life-Giving Strategic Plan:
1. Satisfied with his path
2. Considers his steps
3. Cautious and turns away from evil
4. Prudent crowned with knowledge
Death-Producing Strategic Plan:
1. Backslider in heart will have fill of his ways
2. Believes everything
3. Arrogant and careless
4. Quick-tempered, evil devices, acts foolishly and hated
5. Naïve inherit folly (Prov. 14:14-18)
A life-giving strategic plan is satisfied with the path, considers one’s steps, cautious, turns away from evil and researches knowledge.
The outcome of righteous leaders is contrasted with the outcome of wicked leaders.
Outcome of Righteous Leaders:
1. Evil bow down before them
2. Happy being gracious to the poor
3. Kindness and truth devising good
4. Profit through labor
5. Crown is riches
6. Truthful witness saves lives
Outcome of Wicked Leaders:
1. Bow at gates of righteous
2. Despises his neighbor sins
3. Goes astray devising evil
4. Poverty through talk
5. Folly is foolishness
6. Speaks lies is treacherous (Prov. 14:19-25)
The righteous leader is gracious to the poor, shows kindness and truth devising good and profits through labor.
Leaders with the fear of the Lord show the following:
1. Strong confidence
2. Children have a refuge
3. Fountain of life
4. Avoid the snares of death (Prov. 14:26-27)
Leaders with the fear of the Lord have strong confidence, fountain of life and avoid the snares of the death.
Good leadership is contrasted with poor leadership.
Qualities of Good Leadership:
1. Slow to anger has great understanding
2. Tranquil heart is life to the body
3. Gracious to the needy honors God
4. Refuge when he dies
5. Wisdom rests in heart of one who has understanding
Qualities of Poor Leadership:
1. Quick-tempered exalts folly
2. Passion is rottenness to the bones
3. Oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker
4. Thrust down by his wrong doing
5. Wisdom made known in bosom of fools (Prov. 14:28-33)
Good leaders honor God by being gracious to the needy and their tranquil and wise heart make them slow to anger.
The outcome of good leadership is righteousness that exalts a nation while the outcome for poor leadership is sin being a disgrace to any people. A good leader will show favor toward a servant who acts wisely and anger toward him who acts shamefully (Prov. 14:34-35). Good leaders have righteous character and show favor toward associates who act wisely and anger toward those who act shamefully.
What aspects of good leadership most impress you? Which one do you want to apply at this point in your life? Ask God to make it real.
