Leading From His Extraordinary Spirit

 

The Queen Mother told King Belshazzar in Danel 5:11-12, “There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king, did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.”

Interesting that King Nebuchadnezzar gave Daniel and his youngest son names that were almost the same. Belshazzar the king and Belteshazzar (Daniel) both mean, “Bel, protect the king.”  Bel was King Nebuchadnezzar’s god and regarded as the ruler of all gods, king of the entire earth.  Daniel 4:8, the king notes that he names Daniel this because it was his God and regarding Daniel, “in whom is the spirit of the holy gods.”  

The word here for having an extraordinary spirit in this case is yattir, Strongs#3439 and it means it exceeded and surpassed that which was the norm [a].  It was used to describe excellent and surpassing splendor but, interesting enough, also used to describe how the furnace was heated to an extraordinary level when they threw his three friends into it. 

Joseph was also a leader that was recognized by those around him to have an exceptional spirit.  The Pharaoh says to his officials about Joseph, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?” Then speaking to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.”  (Gen. 41:38-39)

So having an exceptional spirit was being defined as being having the Spirit of the living God inside them in a way that gave them extraordinary discernment, understanding, ability to interpret dreams, knowledge, and the ability to solve difficult issues.  It was because of their reflection of the Holy Spirit.   

Both of these men were recognized by others around them who did not even share their same faith as having the Spirit of the living God inside of them.   They lived in a way that refracted Him and not themselves and their own skill.   While both were bright and capable, they used all their capabilities to glorify and magnify the Lord.  They were both Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered.   Here in these examples, we are defining Spirit-lead as given the wisdom of the Holy Spirit for their leadership situations resulting in decisions that followed this leading and Spirit-empowered as empowered with the Holy Spirit's giftings and power.

We see this Spirit-led and empowered leadership with Solomon as well.   People all over the world were in awe of his leadership as he began to put things in order that had never been done that way in the past.  He just seemed to have insight that others did not have.   It made all those around him recognize that his leadership was rooted in the hand-of-God guiding him. 

And going all the way back to Joshua as an example of Spirit-Led leader, having the Spirit of God in leading was also recognized by Joshua when he was designated the leader and commissioned by Moses.  Following Joshua’s leadership, in being led by the Spirit, we see the people perform some incredible and miraculous feats, have uncanny wisdom, and tremendous faith implying that he was Spirit-empowered as well.  

So is leadership that is based upon guidance and empowerment from the Holy Spirit important to consider for our own leadership journey?

One author and subject matter expert on spirit-empowered leadership, an Associate Professor at ORU, Dr. Thompson, writes that over his career, he has grown in his understanding and conviction that Spirit-leading has more significance than strategic thinking.  As a key aspect to Christian leadership, he writes that our natural leadership tendencies can be dangerous and bring us harm where Spirit empowered leadership causes flourishing and blessing.  He notes that being led by the Spirit, will take our journey into unexpected territories where the Holy Spirit is not only providing guidance but giftings to accomplish His purpose and, along the way, will intervene in supernatural ways. 

Dr. Thompson writes, “We need the Spirit of God in our leadership.  We desperately need both he fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit in our leadership.  Without this empowerment, we default to leading from our own brokenness resulting in the manipulation and wounding of those around us in the pursuit of our own agendas.”[1] 

As we consider this model of leadership, we need to look at how Spirit-led leadership is defined by those leading the way in the field.   It is argued that we can look to Vinson Synan for a model of what Spirit-led leadership looks like in current society.  Synan was a successor of David du Plessis, known as Mr. Pentecost to Catholic and mainline Protestant leaders.  He was a Pentecostal who dedicated his life to promoting the move the Holy Spirit beyond the confines of his own classical Pentecostal denomination and International Pentecostal Holiness church. [2]. 

Not only was Synan visionary, humble and courageous, but he would look beyond what he was familiar with and allow God to broaden his horizons.  This took him beyond his own Pentecostal denomination to acknowledge the move of God among Charismatics in the mainline Protestant churches and Catholics.  He shared the early ecumenical vision of the Azusa Street revivalists of “the renewal of the entire church by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit before the second coming of Christ.” [3]

Bringing us to a model through Synan, in his autobiography, Where He Leads Me, of Spirit-led leadership depending first, listening and following the advice of God in full submission of our lives to His will.[4]  Shelton writes that the leadership style Synan modeled was divinely 

appointed and contingent on sensitivity to the Spirit.

Shelton writes about it, “This kind of leadership can be exercised only by those who are humble and teachable, attentive to the voice of the Spirit not only as they hear it in their own hearts but also as the Spirit speaks through others.”[5] 

Going a little deeper into what a Spirit-led leader looks like, Daniel D. Igrigg does a review of literature on Spirit-Empowered distinctives and, after review of several current authors, Igrigg draws from Geoffrion’s principles in the book, The Spirit-Led Leader, he summarizes as follows [6]:

1. Spirit-led leadership flows from one’s personal deep spiritual life whereby they practice and are transformed by spiritual disciplines, resulting in a fruitful life.
   
   
2. Spirit-led leadership serves God’s purposes and vision for the world by alignment with Him rather than serving one’s own agenda.
   
   
3. Separating this thought out from the above idea, he addresses the Spirit-led leader utilizing gifts of the spirit as well as bearing fruit.  The gifts of the Spirit are given to serve a greater mission, which Spirit-filled leaders are responsible to steward.  
   
   
4. Spirit-led leadership is communal rather than authoritarian in style.  Leaders hear the Spirit by recognizing God speaking through those being led just as much as directly through the leader.
   
   
5. Spirit-led leaders value and demonstrate wisdom and spiritual vitality that foster a well-grounded, spiritual environment where other Spirit-filled staff rise to the top.
   
   
6. Spirit-led leaders are agile, embracing change and continually open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, who is always moving.  They invite rather than try to control spontaneity of being led by the Spirit.
   
   
7. Spirit-led leaders have strong faith, as an attitude of expectancy that God is leading, guiding and empowering us to accomplish what He is calling us to do.  He quotes the author, “Our world needs more leaders who have experienced the transforming power of God to set them free from doubt, fear, insecurity, an overdependence on logic and proof, and other hinderances that keep them from a life and leadership changing faith.”[7]

Overall, from Geoffrion’s book, he makes the point the Spirit-led leaders are influenced by their own spirituality in the way they lead.  They have a rich and deeply cultivated faith relationship and as such, naturally cultivate a rich environment, catalyzing team members to seek God and God’s will together.[8]

He establishes an SE (Spirit-empowered) model that includes as part of this model, key characteristics such as being a Spirit-filled leader where one is operating in the giftings and reflecting the fruit of the Spirit; a Spirit-dependently leader who looks to Him for all comfort, wisdom, vision, and strategy;  a Spirit-moved leader who adopts to situations with flexibility; a Spirit-gifted leader who not only recognizes the giftings in themselves but serves as a mentor and invests in other leaders; and, a Spirit-confident leader who asserts themselves with certainty and the ability to tackle difficult problems with faith, boldness and vision.   [9]

One of the characteristics of a Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered leader not fully addressed by Isgrigg and others up to this point, is the prophetic distinctive.  We see with both Daniel and Joseph was that they had the ability to discern the will of the Lord and relevant future plans. They were able to make sound decisions because they could interpret and understand the future direction they were provided by the Spirit.  

Ma Wonsuk, in his article, The Prophetic Servant: The Ideology of Spirit-Empowered Leaders, examines David from the Old Testament and other biblical leaders to look at this unique characteristic in Spirit-led leadership.   While David clearly carried a prophetic voice and vision of the world, there were many kings throughout the book of Kings that followed and lacked any direct Spirit guidance or direct vision.  They counted on the prophets of the day to provide them guidance. [10]

He goes on to note that the four Servant Songs and the identity of the Servant figure that occupies central place in Isaiah 40-55 suggests of this prophetic vision of the Suffering Servant coming as an offering for sin to purify Israel and set the people of God back on course. The Servant is anointed and empowered to fulfill this specific mission. [11] This brings the servant and the prophetic call and commission together, joining into one through Jesus Christ. 

Stepping into the call and fulfilling a specific ministry is also prophetic leadership as we see with John the Baptist.    He did not come with long speeches but in great action to prepare the way for the Lord as he called the people to repent and turn from their sin.  In Luke 7:28, Jesus tells the people who had come out to be baptized by John the Baptist, that there was no greater prophet than him.  Yet, Jesus goes on to say that the very least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.   So what was Jesus speaking of here?  As we know now, it is the fulfillment through His death that would provide us all who receive Jesus, the Suffering Servant, as our Savior, not only salvation but the treasure of the Holy Spirit as a down payment and promised seal of our life to come. 

The prophetic distinction did not disappear with Christ, it is the very seal of the Holy Spirit as He calls us out into our destiny to fulfill our specific calling and purpose.   We have the Holy Spirit inside of us to guide us.   Whether we are called to lead others or not, we are Spirit-led and Spirit empowered believers as we listen and follow. And in this, we find that we are the servant who is commissioned and sent into the world.

Wonsuk writes about the Servant, “This prophetic call continues the long prophetic tradition in which the Spirit of the Lord is the source of the prophetic vocation.” [12] He notes that Isaiah 61 elaborates on what the Servant is commissioned and sent to fulfill:

 “… to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit (vv. 1b–3a).”

Wonsuk ends with a summary of lesson gleaned, including that God’s Spirit is necessary, and the only requirement in fulfilling a call as a empowered God-chosen leader. A true mark of this guidance is characterized by prophetic fulfillment of His purposes with a attitude of meekness as a sign of Spirit-endowed strength. [13] Additionally, Spirit-empowered leaders are bringing people closer to the lord, empower others, and bring the fullness of life to the places they influence. [14]

Looking specifically at what a Spirit-led and Spirit empowered leader may look like, it is also important to consider how one develops the qualities and distinctives that are demonstrated.   With Daniel, we see that he had consistent habits of prayer, fasting, devotion and worship.  He was one who refused to compromise in his relationship with the Lord.   With Joseph, we see him suffer a great deal and always look to help others, making a difference in their lives.    More to come on this. 

An important point to remember in being Spirit-led and Spirit empowered is that it is a revelatory model and not a theological one.   In other words, one cannot become Spirit-led by their rational mind in following practices or their rational thoughts.  Rather, it is only as one follows the Holy Spirit and He reveals His purposes and plans.  In this way, it is an unfolding of revelation. 

  

Maldonado writes, "A doctrine doesn't move our spirit--revelation does.   He notes that divine revelation comes as a fragment of knowledge of God that comes into our spirit in an instant.  It is not something we have researched or investigated, but rather revealed.   [15]

It is the now moment of revelation where God dwells among his people.  As Maldonado points out, where ministers practice their faith according to spiritual knowledge and wisdom of the past, it turns dry and mechanical, lacking the move of the Holy Spirit.   He goes on to note that this revealed knowledge needs to be acted upon which opens the door for deeper encounter with God. [16] In this place of receiving revelation and stepping into it by faith, bringing those that follow into the revelation that we find the Spirit-led leader.  They cherish and move from revelation to revelation.  

And it is the revelation, as Maldonado mentions, that opens the door for the supernatural to move from the unseen realm to the seen realm. He writes, "What is not yet revealed remains in the realm of the impossible.  Revelation removes the impossible."  [17]

Lord Jesus, help us to be Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered and not led by theology or good frameworks.  Lead us day-by-day by Your revealed word.  
 
 
 a.    Located at: Strong's Hebrew: 3493. יַתִּיר (yattir) -- preeminent, surpassing (biblehub.com)
1.       Thompson, John. Spiritus, ORU Journal of Theology. Vol 5, No. 2, Spirit-empowered Leadership, pgs. 170-180, 2020.  Associate Professor of Global Leadership in the College of Theology and Ministry at Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
2.       Shelton, Sally Jo. Spiritus, ORU Journal of Theology. Vol 5, No. 2, In Memoriam: Vinson Synan.  Model of Spirit-Led Leadership, pgs. 181-197, 2020.
3.       Vinson Synan, “Charismatic Walls,” New Covenant, April 1973, 1
4.       Vinson Synan, Where He Leads Me: The Vinson Synan Story (Franklin Springs, GA: LifeSprings Resources, 2019).
5.       Shelton, Sally Jo. Spiritus, 190.
6.       Isgrigg, Daniel D.   ORU Journal of Theology. Vol 5, No. 2, Spirit-empowered Leadership, pgs. 199-211, Toward Spirit-Empowered Leadership Distinctives.  A Literature Review. 2020.  
7.       Timothy C. Geoffrion, The Spirit-led Leader (Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2005).
8.       Isgrigg, Daniel D.  Toward Spirit-Empowered Leadership Distinctives.  A Literature Review. pgs. 199-211.
9.       Isgrigg, Daniel D.  Toward Spirit-Empowered Leadership Distinctives.  A Literature Review. pgs. 199-211.
10.   Ma, Wonsuk.   ORU Journal of Theology. Vol 5, No. 2, Spirit-empowered Leadership, pgs. 217-232.  The Prophetic Servant: The Ideology of Spirit-Empowered Leaders.  Distinguished Professor of Global Christianity and the Dean of the College of Theology and Ministry, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. 2020.
11.   Ma, Wonsuk.   The Prophetic Servant: The Ideology of Spirit-Empowered Leaders. Pgs. 217-232.
12.    Ma, Wonsuk.   The Prophetic Servant: The Ideology of Spirit-Empowered Leaders. Pgs. 217-232.
13.   Ma, Wonsuk.   The Prophetic Servant: The Ideology of Spirit-Empowered Leaders. Pgs. 217-232.
14.   Wonsuk Ma, “Isaiah,” in A Biblical Theology of the Holy Spirit, 44–45.
 15-17.  Maldonado, Guillermo.  The Kingdom of Power.  How to Demonstrate it Here and Now.  Whitaker House, New Kensington, PA.  2013.