One of the things in the Bible that has lost context over the years are the constant metaphors to sheep and shepherds. The Old and New Testament talk about sheep a lot. We know Psalm 23 starts out that the Lord is our shepherd. In Mark 6:34, Jesus had compassion on the crowd because they were sheep without a shepherd. Ezekiel 34:31 says that we are the sheep of God’s pasture. Isaiah 53 says that we are like sheep who have gone astray. Over and over there’s this comparison to sheep, but shepherding sheep isn’t as common as it used to be. I don’t know a lot about them, but I do know that they are defenseless, like to flock together and prefer to be led from the front rather than pushed from behind.
As a person who teaches leadership, I can tell you that people need a want a leader worth following. As John Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence.” By that definition, we all have leaders in our life who influence or lead our decisions. 2 Peter 3:17 warns us about who we allow to lead or influence us. It says, “As for you, divinely loved ones, since you are forewarned of these things, be careful that you are not led astray by the error of the lawless and lose your firm grip on the truth” (TPT). We must be careful in who we allow to lead us because there are those who would lead us astray. Even Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 to only follow Him as he followed Christ. It’s important to know who’s leading the people that are leading us.
Leaders and pastors will be held to a higher standard on judgement day (James3:1), but you will still be held liable for your actions. That’s why it’s important for each of us to not just follow a person. We must also be led by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (NLT). We must know our shepherd’s voice for ourselves without relying on another leader to hear it for us. If we don’t learn to hear it ourselves, we can easily be led astray. Each of us must take time to listen to what God says through His Word and to our hearts. Anyone who gives contradictory advice to what God says will lead you astray. We are to be Spirit led more than people led, but our sheepish nature simply wants to follow the sheep right in front of us. We must fight against that and listen to the Shepherd ourselves.
Photo by Ronnie Overgoor on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 
I like how you say we must know the Shepherd’s voice for ourselves. I, for one, am more of a Barnabas type leader—a helper and encourager. So it’s important for us ‘second in commands” not to follow the wrong person. None the less, it’s vital for each of us to learn to hear the voice of God for ourselves, as He is the only leader guaranteed to never lead us astray. Blessings.
I don’t know if you’ve seen this video or not, but it stresses the importance of the Barnabas leaders. Keep your ears open to the Holy Spirit and follow leaders as they follow Christ.
Wonderful! The first follower is the spark from the leader’s flint. A lone nut only becomes a leader when people join him or her. I definitely fit the first follower mold. This brings clarity to my role in leadership, Chris. Thanks a million!
You’re welcome. Your role is critical and the first follower, the encourager and the influencer.
So true Chris! We need to always be aware of where we are going, not being afraid to question things. Too many church folks swallow everything they are taught without testing it in the Word.
Thanks. It’s so important to know God’s Word.