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When Leadership Falls
1 Chronicles 10:4
"Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it."
The responsibility that leadership holds is greater than one would imagine. Most leaders have no idea how many they influence. There are two times when you will find out the influence of a leader: at their death, or if they fall. When Saul fell, it influenced many in an adverse way. I find that the same influence Saul's falling had on others is the same today when a leader falls. Let me show you several unfortunate results that happen when a leader falls.
First, it will cause others to spiritually die. Verse 5 shows us that when Saul killed himself his armourbearer committed suicide as well. Many times when a leader falls you will find people who will no longer serve the LORD. Many become so disenchanted with serving God after a leader's failure that they will never again step foot into a church. This is sad!
Second, when a leader falls it will affect their family. Saul did not die alone, but he had three sons who died with him. Many leaders who fall in sin never take into consideration the affects it will have on their family. If you love your family, you will avoid sin. Those who let sin destroy them may have to face the punishment for their sin, but they will never experience the deep hurt that the family must deal with. They not only have to deal with it personally, but they usually have to face the questions from outside the family as well.
Third, when a leader falls it will leave many brokenhearted. Think of all the people who were brokenhearted when Saul fell. The impact of a leader falling will hurt many. Those who greatly admired the leader will be hurt dearly. Yes, they will continue to go on, but the immediate hurt and questions will be substantial.
Fourth, when a leader falls it will give many an excuse to compromise. Verse 7 shows us that many people left their inheritance after Saul's death. We will never know how many people have compromised because a leader fell into sin. Though one's fall is never an excuse to compromise, that does not mean that it won't happen. You will always find many who will use their leader's failing as an excuse to compromise.
Fifth, when a leader falls it gives the heathen ammunition to back their ways. When Saul fell, the Philistines took his body and hung it up in the temple of their gods. We must understand that sin always brings reproach to God's name. Sin always hurts the cause of Christ.
Every leader needs to consider the ramifications of their actions. If you fall, many will fall with you. Every leader needs to consider their actions as to how it will affect those whom they lead. I believe many leaders would never commit sin if they would consider and understand the affects of their actions.
However, if your leader falls, instead of using it as an excuse to commit sin, use it as motivation to step up and do more for the cause of Christ. Verse 11 shows us that the men of Jabesh-gilead used Saul's failure as motivation to do right. If your leader falls, you are needed more than ever to step up. Unfortunately leaders will fall, but when they do, use it as a challenge to stay away from sin and to help more people for Christ's sake.