Episode 321: "Protection - Pride before destruction."

SELDI Podcast with Tony Williams

Greetings, Leaders.
Our most significant tests as leaders come in times of prosperity and success.
When you earnestly seek God and diligently apply His wisdom, insight, and guidance, you will find yourself on the path to great victories and success in your life and career.
God desires our success! "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 2 NKJV
Great leaders throughout history have accomplished great things, and many enjoy a life of victory by paying attention to God in their lives and careers.
My journey of seeking God's wisdom and applying His insights began early in my career. I vividly remember the thrill of receiving my first sales commission check. It was a testament to the power of God's guidance in my professional life.
So, I began acquiring many things I had desired for many years. As I share this message, God reminds me not to forget the consequences of drifting away from His leadership.
I did, and the cost was significant in terms of lost time, leadership position, accomplishments, and humiliation caused by my lack of wisdom and discernment to continue practicing what God was teaching me.
Pride, the enemy of every leader, gradually dominated my decisions. The outcome was as predicted;
"Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 NLT
King Uzziah, a leader in ancient times, comes to mind. He started well, but his pride became his undoing.
"He did right in the sight of the Lord... he continued to seek God... and as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him." 2 Chronicles 26:4-5 NASB
He reigned as king for fifty-two years! He was a builder, engineered great inventions, a warrior, a strategist, and a prosperous cultivator of the land.
However, his story ends in destruction. Why? "...hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped till he was strong. But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God." 2Chronicels 26:15-16 NASB
King Uzziah was not remembered for his accomplishments, instead "for they said, "He is a leper."
How, then, are we to protect ourselves when the success and prosperity of God come upon us as leaders?
First, acknowledge God for every accomplishment in your life and career.
"Lord, you establish peace for us;
all that we have accomplished, you have done for us." Isaiah 26:12 NIV
Remember, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility comes before honor from God.
"God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble." James 4:6 NKJV
Second, we trust God for everything in life and career.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3: 5-6 NLT
Thirdly, prepare to enjoy a lifetime of victory by keeping our focus on God.
"...as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him. "2 Chronicles 26:5
Victory!