Man - Nipulation...
Theme:Words, subconscious / conscious manipulation,
Scripture:1 Chr 11:16 - "David longed for water and said," Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!"
Observation:We don't know David's motive for making this statement or do we? David was thirsty & he knew where the best water was. David also knew that his men were totally devoted to him & they would do whatever they could to serve him faithfully.
So did David deliberately drop this hint out know that his men would put themselves in great danger just to fulfil his request, or did was David just not be careful with the power he had been entrusted with? I think David was just making a statement due to the circumstance he was in but he forgot just how dedicated to him his men were. I don't think there was any conscious manipulation going on at all and here is why.... When the men returned after risking their lives for his water, what did David do with it? Did he selfishly drink it? No - at that point in time he realized how his thoughtless statement had affected his men so he refused to drink the water & poured it out before the Lord as an offering!
David learned a valuable lesson that day, he needs to take great care with what comes out of his mouth because of the power entrusted to him! David knew that his careless words could have widowed three women & orphaned their children into slavery!
Application:It is very easy for a leader. once they know that the people are dedicated to him to abuse that power & position by manipulation. It is easy to put those that serve us in danger simply through WORDS - asking too much of them or suggesting things (dropping hints) loud enough for them to get the message that this is what you desire & expect them to make happen.
We must learn the lesson from David that people are not expendable assets to fulfil our personal desires. David's heart was repentant that his careless words had put his men's live in danger. We are there to serve & support the people God has put under our care to fulfill only that which He calls us to fulfil & not our own personal goals, dreams or agendas!
To make or allow people serving under our care to become so busy that it endangers their family turning spouses into widows & children into orphans is simply wrong. I plead with those leading like this; we need to follow David's course of action & repent and bring an offering before the Lord asking Him to teach you to make adjustments to understand the power entrusted to you! Lead well, lead God's way!
Prayer:Father please help me to think before I speak so as to not endanger your people by careless words. Help me to always understand the kind of power you are entrusting to me & help me to steward it well before you for your plans & purposes!
Created about 1 year ago
