I’ve been reading through the OT lately and have been challenged by the downward leadership spiral that Saul went on…here are
10 signs from his life that point to a leader “losing it.”
1. The ministry he leads moves from being about the name of God to the name of the leader.
(Compare
I Samuel 14:35 with
I Samuel 15:12!)
2. He gets impatient with the process that God is taking him through and thereby tries to “make something happen” rather than waiting on God’s timing.
(
I Samuel 15:5-10)
3. He makes self-centered leadership decisions that slow down the people he works with rather than empowering them.
(
I Samuel 15:24—notice the references to himself in this verse.)
4. He refuses to completely obey God because it places him in an uncomfortable situation.
(
I Samuel 15:1-9)
5. He allows fear of man to trump his fear of God.
(
I Samuel 15:24)
6. He refuses to take action and deal with the obvious issue in front of him…and if anyone attempts to do so he is quick to tell them they cannot!
(
I Samuel 17:32-33)
7. He cannot celebrate the success of others.
(
I Samuel 18:8-9)
8. He tries to discredit/destroy anyone or anything that looks like it is successful apart from him.
Saul actually became more obsessed with destroying David than he did leading the kingdom! (
I Samuel 18:10-11)
9. He resorts to trying to see the spectacular apart from the presence of God.
(
I Samuel 28)
10. He refuses to deal with his issues.
The truth is, his jealousy, insecurity, disobedience and self-reliance is not only going to cost him…but cost others as well! (
I Samuel 31:1-3)
