Leadership principle - Behave wisely

I have a simple activity for you. It would be great if we did it face to face, but let's not let the distance spoil the fun.

Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Pull out your bible/bible app.

Step 2: Read 1 Samuel 18. Read it fully, don't move to the next steps without completing this.

Step 3: Take a pencil, and underline every time you see the word "wise" or "wisely".

What did you notice?

Let's go over this together:

1 Samuel 18:5

So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

David took up challenging tasks or work items his boss gave him. And he accomplished them with Godly wisdom. Essentially, he didn't fool around, though he knew he was the anointed of the Lord. That made his boss recognize and give him greater responsibility.

1 Samuel 18:8

Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”

Saul became jealous of David because of his success, though David did not do anything to earn it. The poor guy, he only did his job well.

So it's natural that people around you may become jealous of your success. Remember how others plotted against Daniel? You continue doing your job well with Godly wisdom, do not fret over other's attitudes towards you.

1 Samuel 18:12

Now Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul.

When it is evident from your work ethic and the output that God is with you, even people who were angry and jealous of you will be afraid to trouble you.

Remember it is the Lord who fights for us, we only need to be silent and wait for His hand to take over.

1 Samuel 18:14,15

And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.

Yep, behave wisely in all your ways. Let you talk, your work and your character be above reproach. Then the Lord will be with you and guide you. And your enemies will sense this and be afraid of you.

1 Samuel 18:30

Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed.

David was the "Commander of Thousand", so he was one of the commanders in Saul's army. It's like you are one of the Leads in your team. But the differentiating factor was, he behaved more wisely than the other leads. That made him highly esteemed.

Our world may be full of cut-throat competition, but our job is to seek Godly wisdom to accomplish the task given to the best of our ability. We don't need to undermine others, only be our best in work and character. God will lift you.

Did you notice that at this point in life, David was actually interning to be the next King of Israel? Often we don't feel like that, but God takes us through challenges to refine and prepare us for greater roles. So hang in there and do your best!

And my takeaways from this passage:

1. Behave wisely and honorably at all times
2. Do not complain or talk loosely about your colleague or mentor or lead
3. Take up challenging tasks willingly and give it your all (opportunities knock only once)
4. Seek godly wisdom in your work. Pray about the tasks you do.
5. Even if others set themselves as your enemy, just do your job with God's help.
6. Pray for those who oppose you, but do not harbor any anger against them.
7. Let your talk, work, and character always be above reproach.
8. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and he will lift you up in due time.
9. And when that happens, Give glory to God for all your success.

I always am awed at how God's word is such a treasure trove or practical wisdom. Read it, meditate on it and share it :)