When Leaders Become Idols: A Cautionary Tale

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church. Today, we delved into Judges chapter 8, focusing on the theme "When Leaders Become Idols." We began by discussing the Stephen Ministry, a vital extension of our pastoral care, and then transitioned into the main topic by listing several leaders who have fallen from grace, both secular and religious. This list included names like Jerry Falwell Jr., Bill Cosby, and even Gideon from the Bible. The common thread among these leaders is that they all had significant followings but eventually succumbed to the pitfalls of power, attention, and wealth.

We examined how Gideon, initially a humble and reluctant leader, transformed into a vengeful and prideful figure. His story serves as a cautionary tale for both followers and leaders. Gideon’s downfall began with small acts of self-deprecation and deflection, which later grew into threats and vengeance. He wielded power through intimidation and maintained it through acts of revenge, ultimately enriching himself at the expense of his followers. This behavior is not unique to Gideon; it is a pattern seen in many leaders who become idols.

We also discussed the broader implications of such leadership, emphasizing that followers often elevate these leaders, creating an environment where idolatry can flourish. This is exacerbated by the ease with which leaders can reach and manipulate followers today. The story of Gideon in Judges 8 is a stark reminder that leaders who become idols should cease to be people we follow. Instead, we should seek leaders who embody humility, peacemaking, and service, qualities exemplified by Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, we are called to evaluate the leaders we follow, both in the church and in our daily lives. We must have the courage to unfollow those who exhibit these negative traits and to lovingly confront leaders who may be heading down this path. Ultimately, our eyes should be fixed on Jesus, the only perfect leader, who laid down His life for us.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Danger of Elevating Leaders: When we elevate leaders to an idol-like status, we set them up for failure and ourselves for disappointment. This is because humans were not created to handle excessive power, attention, or wealth. The story of Gideon shows how quickly a leader can fall from grace when they become the focus of idolatry. [30:05]

2. Power and Vengeance: Leaders who become idols often wield power through threats and maintain it through acts of vengeance. Gideon’s transformation from a humble servant to a vengeful leader illustrates how power can corrupt. This serves as a warning to both leaders and followers about the dangers of unchecked authority. [38:27]

3. Pride and Self-Enrichment: When leaders seek power to assuage their pride, they often end up enriching themselves at the expense of their followers. Gideon’s request for gold earrings and his creation of an ephod for himself are clear examples of this. Such actions not only corrupt the leader but also lead the followers astray. [45:36]

4. The Role of Followers: Followers play a significant role in the rise and fall of leaders. By elevating leaders to an unhealthy status, followers contribute to the isolation and idolatry that can lead to a leader’s downfall. It is crucial for followers to evaluate the character and actions of those they choose to follow. [50:03]

5. The Perfect Leader: In the absence of perfect human leaders, we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the only perfect leader. Jesus exemplified humility, service, and sacrifice, qualities that should be the benchmark for any leader we choose to follow. By focusing on Him, we can navigate the complexities of leadership and followership in a way that honors God. [57:45]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[27:28] - Introduction to Stephen Ministry
[27:58] - List of Fallen Leaders
[28:52] - The Common Thread: Fallen from Grace
[30:05] - The Role of Followers in Elevating Leaders
[31:08] - Judges 8: When Leaders Become Idols
[32:30] - The Relevance of Judges 8 Today
[33:13] - Background on Gideon
[35:30] - Gideon’s Deflection and Self-Deprecation
[37:01] - Gideon’s Underlying Pride Issues
[38:27] - Power and Threats: Gideon’s Vengeance
[41:14] - The Absence of Seeking the Lord
[44:13] - Gideon’s Personal Response and Pride
[45:36] - Enriching Themselves: Gideon’s Request for Gold
[47:15] - The People’s Response to Gideon
[50:03] - The Creation of the Ephod
[51:43] - When Leaders Become Idols, They Should Cease to Be Followed
[53:26] - Seeking Leaders Who Reflect Christ
[54:53] - Practical Steps for Followers
[56:28] - Five-Day Devotional and Final Thoughts
[57:45] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[01:01:02] - Communion and Baptism
[01:12:32] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Judges 8:1-35
- Proverbs 29:11, 20, 22

#### Observation Questions
1. What initial reaction did the men of Ephraim have towards Gideon, and how did he respond? ([35:30])
2. How did Gideon’s behavior change from the beginning of his leadership to the events in Judges 8? ([33:56])
3. What specific actions did Gideon take that demonstrated his shift towards pride and vengeance? ([42:42])
4. How did the people of Israel respond to Gideon’s leadership after his victories? ([47:15])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Gideon’s transformation from a humble leader to a vengeful one teach us about the dangers of unchecked power? ([33:56])
2. How does Proverbs 29:11 and 20 relate to Gideon’s actions and attitude in Judges 8? ([41:14])
3. In what ways did Gideon’s actions lead the people of Israel astray, and what were the consequences? ([50:03])
4. How can the story of Gideon serve as a warning to both leaders and followers in today’s context? ([31:08])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you followed a leader who later disappointed you. How did that experience affect your faith and trust in leadership? ([30:05])
2. Gideon’s story shows the danger of leaders who wield power through threats and vengeance. How can you identify and avoid such leaders in your life? ([38:27])
3. The sermon emphasized the role of followers in elevating leaders to an unhealthy status. How can you ensure that you are not contributing to the idolatry of leaders? ([30:05])
4. Gideon enriched himself at the expense of his followers. How can you discern if a leader is using their position for personal gain? ([48:37])
5. Jesus is presented as the perfect leader who exemplifies humility, service, and sacrifice. How can you model these qualities in your own leadership or followership? ([57:45])
6. The sermon calls for the courage to unfollow leaders who exhibit negative traits. Is there a leader in your life that you need to reevaluate or confront? How will you approach this situation? ([54:53])
7. How can you fix your eyes on Jesus, the only perfect leader, in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to ensure that your focus remains on Him? ([57:45])

Devotional

Day 1: The Perils of Idolizing Leaders
When we elevate leaders to an idol-like status, we set them up for failure and ourselves for disappointment. Humans were not created to handle excessive power, attention, or wealth. The story of Gideon in Judges 8 shows how quickly a leader can fall from grace when they become the focus of idolatry. Gideon started as a humble and reluctant leader, but as he gained power and attention, he succumbed to pride and vengeance. This transformation serves as a cautionary tale for both leaders and followers. We must be vigilant in ensuring that we do not place our leaders on pedestals, as this can lead to their downfall and our disillusionment. [30:05]

Jeremiah 17:5-6 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.'"

Reflection: Think of a leader you admire. Are there ways in which you might be placing them on a pedestal? How can you shift your focus back to God?

Day 2: The Corrupting Influence of Power and Vengeance
Leaders who become idols often wield power through threats and maintain it through acts of vengeance. Gideon’s transformation from a humble servant to a vengeful leader illustrates how power can corrupt. Initially, Gideon was a reluctant leader, but as he gained power, he began to use threats and acts of revenge to maintain his authority. This serves as a warning to both leaders and followers about the dangers of unchecked authority. It is crucial for leaders to remain humble and for followers to hold their leaders accountable. [38:27]

Proverbs 29:4 (ESV): "By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced the misuse of power. How did it affect you and others involved? What steps can you take to promote justice and accountability in your community?

Day 3: The Dangers of Pride and Self-Enrichment
When leaders seek power to assuage their pride, they often end up enriching themselves at the expense of their followers. Gideon’s request for gold earrings and his creation of an ephod for himself are clear examples of this. Such actions not only corrupt the leader but also lead the followers astray. Leaders must be wary of the temptations of pride and self-enrichment, and followers must be discerning in recognizing these traits. By doing so, we can prevent the corruption that comes with unchecked pride and self-interest. [45:36]

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV): "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."

Reflection: Consider an area in your life where pride or the desire for self-enrichment might be influencing your decisions. How can you realign your priorities to reflect humility and service?

Day 4: The Role of Followers in Elevating Leaders
Followers play a significant role in the rise and fall of leaders. By elevating leaders to an unhealthy status, followers contribute to the isolation and idolatry that can lead to a leader’s downfall. It is crucial for followers to evaluate the character and actions of those they choose to follow. By doing so, they can prevent the creation of an environment where idolatry can flourish. Followers must be discerning and courageous in holding their leaders accountable and ensuring that they embody the qualities of humility, peacemaking, and service. [50:03]

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Reflection: Think about a leader you follow. How can you support them in a way that encourages humility and accountability? What steps can you take to ensure you are not contributing to their potential downfall?

Day 5: Fixing Our Eyes on the Perfect Leader
In the absence of perfect human leaders, we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the only perfect leader. Jesus exemplified humility, service, and sacrifice, qualities that should be the benchmark for any leader we choose to follow. By focusing on Him, we can navigate the complexities of leadership and followership in a way that honors God. Jesus laid down His life for us, and by following His example, we can ensure that our leadership and followership are rooted in love, humility, and service. [57:45]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you more intentionally fix your eyes on Jesus in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to embody His qualities of humility, service, and sacrifice?

Quotes

1. "But there are broader and less nationally recognizable names as well, but that fell from grace locally in Catholic churches and Baptist churches and more. And every time a leader falls from grace, we all like make a post saying, I never thought it would happen. Or we act shocked like this has never crossed our minds. But I don't think we should be because humans weren't really created to have that much power, that much attention, that much pressure, or that much wealth." [30:05] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Much like the Israelites throughout Judges, many people today are desperately looking for someone to follow who can help make sense of their feelings, that can give answers to the things that make them angry. But this sermon also serves as a cautionary tale to anyone here who considers themselves a leader. You don't have to be leading a country or an army or have a national audience to fall prey to some of these traps." [31:08] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I really think Judges 8 should give us pause as followers of Christ in today's world regarding whomever we elevate in leadership positions both in the church and outside of it in any leadership role because this passage speaks not only to religious leaders but about human nature and about the impact of sin in leadership positions. And we need to be honest about the fruit of leadership like that." [32:30] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When leaders become idols, they wield power with threats. Would you agree with that? How many of you have ever watched Shark Tank? You've ever watched Shark Tank? It's a fun show. It's kids. I mean, they'll never stop asking questions, but it's fun. Anybody here own anything that was featured on Shark Tank and is willing to admit it? Yeah? Some of you? We do. Is it the Scrub Daddy or Scrub Mommy? I don't know what that is. Those things are actually legit." [38:27] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When leaders become idols, they maintain power through vengeance. Have you noticed this? They take out their enemy. This was super easy to see today with autocratic leaders around the world. You hear about dissidents in Russia or North Korea being rounded up and imprisoned or worse. No one challenges them or suggests that they don't do this. Why? Because they'll be next. Because they get rid of anyone who speaks against them. And sadly, this is exactly what Gideon does here." [42:42] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "When leaders become idols, they seek power to assuage their pride. They continue to seek power to make themselves feel better about who they believe they are actually not. If we look once again to Proverbs 29, we see how God values and evaluates pride. It says, This puffing and decisive action, even if it's born in pride and anger, is attractive to people. Wouldn't you agree? We love somebody who is forceful and strong and charging the way. We call them a great leader." [45:36] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When leaders become idols, they enrich themselves. And this happens everywhere. And basically, every moment of our lives, it's very difficult for a leader not to see their leadership as an opportunity for enrichment. And this is important. At the expense of the people who follow them. They ironically, no pun intended, fleece the people that follow them. I want to remind you not to just think this applies to those people, by the way. We have to be wary of this in ourselves and those that we look up to." [48:37] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "When leaders become idols, they should cease to be people we follow. Why do we tolerate and continue to follow leaders like this in our churches, in our cultures, and in all around us? Because it's in our general nature to want a ruler that we can control or who represents our deepest angers, that promises to fix or avenge those feelings that we believe need to be fixed or need to be avenged so that we can truly be happy or have peace." [51:43] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We ought to seek leaders who are the opposite of these things. Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers, people who are slow to anger, people who are humble are the ones he will exalt. He calls us to serve the poor over and over and over again, and those on the fringes. And we ought to follow people who are people we could tell our kids they can be like and should be like." [53:26] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "In the absence of a personal, of a perfect leader in our world, what we ought to do in the face of all that we see, is fix our eyes on the only perfect leader we've ever known, that's ever graced this planet. We ought to trust him for justice. We ought to trust him for truth. We ought to trust him for our hope. We ought to trust him alone to fix not only the problems we see around us, but the problems that are in us." [56:28] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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