Job 6 & 7
All of Job’s friends had their theory about Job’s troubles, but he simply asked them to check his life out and to point out any place where he lacked integrity. Job felt so certain of the blamelessness of his own heart that he invited his peers to scrutinized him. This takes a strong leader with strong character and a strong sense of security to do this.
I like the way C. S. Lewis said about this kind of quality, he said it was “Leaders with Chests.” Lewis likened the properly ordered soul to the human body; the head (reason) must rule the belly (sensual appetites) through the chest (character and spirit).
The CHEST is the indispensable liaison between REASON and the APPETITES. I call it the INTEGRITY CHECK. Without a strong “chest” people would succumb to excuses, relativism, and compromise, Lewis went on to say that people with no character or integrity are (people) “men without chests”.
Job was able to invite his peers to check him out because he possessed the following;
– Strong Security: He was emotionally secure enough to take criticism.
– Clear Conscience: He kept a clear and sensitive conscience regarding sin.
– Pure Motives: He refused to entertain self-indulgent motives.
– Solid Character: He was committed to doing the right thing at any cost.
I encourage us today to be men and women who can lead with Integrity!
Chuck Pelham
Sources:
John Maxwell, Thoughts on Leadership
C.S. Lewis, quote
