CHAPTER 17
CONFRONTING RESISTANCE
When one assumes a leadership position, one inherits followers, those that must be led, and often there are amongst them those who, for various reasons, object to one’s appointment. More often than not, there is someone who believes that he should have been given the position because he feels he can do a better job than you, or it may be someone who feels you are not up to the task, or someone who has a grudge against you or it may even be just jealousy, or someone who has been at the company longer than you and feels he is entitled to the promotion regardless of ability or lack of it.
The Bible is full of people who thought they deserved better. As far back as the third chapter of Genesis we read about Adam and Eve who desired to be like God. The very next chapter we see their son, Cain who wanted the relationship with God that his brother Abel had but he did not measure up and his jealousy turned him into a murderer. Joseph, destined for greatness, was beaten and sold into slavery by his brothers because he dared prophesy about a future greater than theirs. Moses in the wilderness at the head of a band of unruly Israelites was confronted with people who thought they could do as well as him, people who were near and dear to him. How often are leaders attacked from the least expected direction, from the place where they expect the most support? For Moses it came from his own brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam. They considered themselves just as capable as Moses.
And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. (Num. 12:2)
David, too, was confronted and attacked from within. Absalom, his son, rebelled against the king and tried to take over the throne. Often the people in rebellion are those closest to the leader, those who have ‘his ear’, those he, perhaps, is training to take over from him one day but impatience and pride has got the better of them.
These are the times when it is good to remember the words –
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Rom. 13:1)
In the case of Aaron and Miriam the word tells us that the ‘Lord’s anger was aroused against them’ and He afflicted Miriam with leprosy which entailed her forced isolation from the camp of the Israelites. Absalom’s rebellion was to cost him his life even though he had the support of the majority of the people. Know that your appointment as leader was no accident and you were placed in that position for a reason.
David had known of the rebellious nature of his son, but he allowed him to continue on that path, not taking any action to stem the rising tide of defiance.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. (Prov. 17:1)
No future is better than a future in a house full of strife and conflict, nip the problem in the bud before it brings the whole house to ruin. A leader can only bend so far before he breaks or retaliates, and reacting out of anger or frustration can only do more harm than good.
Absalom, if he had bided his time, would have probably become Israel’s next king. He should have learnt a lot from his father about the right way of handling God’s appointed. David, even though he had already been anointed king of Israel, at no time revolted against Saul, the incumbent king. There were times when David could have killed Saul, could have ascended the throne of Israel with a bloody hand but he chose rather to bide his time and wait on the Lord to accomplish the task. These are lessons that Absalom failed to learn at the cost of his life. The Bible has a word for those who plan to overthrow appointed leaders, even if they are family or loved ones.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1Sam. 15:23)
As a leader it is good to remember, that those in rebellion are wrong. They are not called rebels without reason. They are not the appointed leaders, you are. Even if your leadership is not of the best, they are still subject to you until God decides otherwise. The fault does not lie with you but them. It is easy to look for fault in yourself, and being human you will more than likely see mistakes you have made. Not one of us is perfect, very few of us will ever be able to satisfy everyone's needs and expectations.
When one is confronted by a rebellion then often the temptation is there to step back and say ‘I don’t need this’, but before you surrender and handover your vision and work to someone else, remember that the one who succeeds by rebellion will undoubtedly use the same tactics to keep control. Underhandedness, the sword, dictatorship will be his methods of choice to lead, methods that could easily lead to the destruction of the organization. Is that what you really want? Most leaders would answer ‘no’, and that is reason enough to oppose and withstand such rebellious acts.
As Christian leaders, we must always remember, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, no matter who confronts us, no matter from where the attack comes:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
(Rom. 8:31-37)
If we are in right standing with God – all is well. You have been given the authority, use it. At times just a word may be necessary to bring a rebellious person to order, at other times it may be necessary to take disciplinary action, and on occasion you may even have to take drastic action such as dismissal. Each situation will dictate the required action, but keep in mind that the well-being of the kingdom, the team or the company is of paramount importance.
A leader can become angry when he perceives a rebellion taking place in his organization. The anger stems from the fact that people he trusted turned against him. There is danger in retaliating out of revenge. Revenge is anger in action and misplaced anger can have disastrous results. At Kadesh the Israelites gathered against Moses and Aaron because there was no water and Moses, out of anger at their unbelief and constant whining, struck the rock rather than obey God who had told him to order it by word of mouth to bring forth water. This act of anger cost him his place in the Promised Land.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:17-21)