2 Chronicles 32:25
"But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem."
The effects of leadership's sin upon a follower is seen in the verse above. One must never underestimate the influence sin will have upon those you lead. Hezekiah lifted up his heart in pride, and in the next verse we see the people followed with pride of heart. Many times followers will follow the lead of their leader. If their leader commits sin, the follower oftentimes feels justified with doing the same. Likewise, if the leader lives righteously, then the follower will do the same. Oh the power of leadership!
Several times in the Scriptures we see the phrase or similar to this phrase, "his heart was lifted up." This lifting up of ones heart is like a swelling of the heart or becoming prideful. As we look through the Scriptures, we see seven pitfalls that cause leadership to lift up their hearts.
Great victories is the first pitfall of leadership. Throughout the Scriptures you often see after a great victory a leader being filled with pride. You must be careful after every victory that you don't let pride set in. Always keep in mind that God gave the victory and that it did not come because of your own power.
Strength is the second pitfall of leadership. When many of the kings in the Scriptures realized the strength of their kingdom, they oftentimes allowed pride to come into their heart. Just because you have become strong does not mean that you have arrived. Don't let your strength fool you into believing that you don't need God.
Success is the third pitfall of leadership. Just because you've become successful doesn't mean you have arrived. Your success can be turned into failure very quickly. Don't think that temporal success guarantees eternal success. Stay humble and keep serving the LORD.
A higher estimation of one's goodness is the fourth pitfall of leadership. Leadership must be careful about thinking their position makes them good. Just because God has allowed you to lead does not mean you are above sin. Leaders sin just like everyone else. Be careful that you don't think you are better than what you truly are.
Riches are the fifth pitfall of leadership. Your wealth doesn't make you better than others. Money is not a determining factor of spirituality. Money is only a tool you can use to serve the LORD. Don't let your wealth cause you to be filled with pride.
Beauty is the sixth pitfall of leadership. Lucifer allowed his beauty to be the doorknob to pride. Beauty is irrelevant, and just because you may have looks does not make you better than others. Your beauty did not come from you it came from God, so be careful about allowing your looks to be your destruction.
Position is the seventh pitfall of leadership. Many people have been destroyed because they acquired position. Don't allow the acquisition of position to go to your head. Be humbled that God would allow you to be promoted and keep doing what you have always done.
When we achieve in one of these areas, we must be so careful not to let them destroy us. It is so easy to lift up our hearts when we achieve these things. Be cautious and realize that God is the one Who has allowed this to come into your life, and be careful to give Him the credit instead of taking the credit for yourself.