Scripture:
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18, KJV)
Leadership requires strength, stability, and conviction. A godly leader cannot be moved by every opinion, criticism, or attack. In this sense, a leader must be impervious. However, when positions, titles, and authority cause leaders to become untouchable, unteachable, and uncorrectable, imperviousness becomes dangerous.
The same quality that protects a leader from fear can also prevent that leader from hearing God.
Definition of Impervious Leadership
Good Impervious Leadership
Good impervious leadership is the godly ability to remain steadfast in truth, unmoved by fear, intimidation, manipulation, or ungodly criticism while remaining humble and teachable before God.
Ancient Hebrew Concept:
חָזָק (Chazaq)
Meaning: Strong, firm, courageous, strengthened.
"Be strong and of a good courage..." (Joshua 1:9, KJV)
A good leader is strong enough to stand against opposition but humble enough to receive correction.
Bad Impervious Leadership
Bad impervious leadership occurs when a leader becomes resistant to godly counsel, correction, conviction, and accountability because of position, power, status, or title.
Ancient Hebrew Concepts:
גָּאָה (Ga'ah)
Meaning: Pride, arrogance, self exaltation.
קָשָׁה (Qashah)
Meaning: Hard, stubborn, stiff, difficult.
This type of leadership creates a hardened heart that believes title equals infallibility.
Everyday Examples
Good Imperviousness
"She seemed impervious to criticism."
Criticism did not affect her commitment to God's calling.
Example:
A pastor remains faithful to biblical truth despite public opposition.
"The fortress was nearly impervious to attack."
Very difficult to damage or penetrate.
Example:
A leader's faith remains strong despite spiritual warfare and persecution.
This reflects the Apostle Paul's instruction:
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58, KJV)
Bad Imperviousness
"He seemed impervious to correction."
Wise counsel could not influence him because of pride.
"His title made him impervious to accountability."
He believed his position placed him above rebuke.
This reflects Proverbs 29:1:
"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." (KJV)
Bible Character Example One: Joseph
Good Impervious Leadership
Joseph was impervious to temptation but sensitive to God's voice.
When Potiphar's wife sought to seduce him, Joseph refused.
"How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9, KJV)
Joseph demonstrated chazaq, godly strength.
He was:
Impervious to temptation.
Impervious to bitterness.
Impervious to revenge.
Yet he remained humble.
When promoted to second in command over Egypt, Joseph consistently gave glory to God rather than himself.
Lesson:
A leader should be impervious to sin yet receptive to God.
Bible Character Example Two: King Saul
Bad Impervious Leadership
Saul began with humility but became hardened by power.
The title of king gradually elevated his opinion of himself above obedience to God.
When the prophet Samuel confronted him for disobedience, Saul justified his actions rather than repenting.
"Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king." (1 Samuel 15:23, KJV)
Saul became impervious to correction.
His title became more important than God's instruction.
Instead of asking, "What does God want?"
He asked, "How can I keep my position?"
The Hebrew concept qashah, stubborn hardness, describes Saul's downfall.
Lesson:
When leaders become impervious to correction, they move toward destruction.
Bible Character Example Three: King David
Good and Bad Impervious Leadership
David provides both examples.
The Bad
After becoming king, David abused his authority regarding Bathsheba and Uriah.
For a season, David became impervious to conviction.
He acted as though the throne insulated him from accountability.
Like many leaders, his position temporarily blinded him.
The Good
The difference came when Nathan confronted him.
"And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD." (2 Samuel 12:13, KJV)
David's greatness was not that he never failed.
His greatness was that he remained reachable by God.
Though powerful, he was not permanently impervious to correction.
Lesson:
A great leader is not one who never falls.
A great leader is one who quickly repents when corrected.
The Greatest Example: Jesus Christ
Jesus was completely impervious to the attacks of Satan, religious opposition, public criticism, and persecution.
Yet He remained completely submitted to the Father.
"For I do always those things that please him." (John 8:29, KJV)
Jesus was:
Impervious to fear.
Impervious to temptation.
Impervious to manipulation.
But never impervious to the Father's will.
This is perfect leadership.
Ancient Hebrew Wisdom Concerning Leadership
לֵב (Lev)
Meaning: Heart, inner man, seat of understanding.
A leader must guard his heart from pride.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23, KJV)
עָנָו (Anav)
Meaning: Humble, meek.
The strongest leaders are often the most humble leaders.
"As for Moses, the man was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." (Numbers 12:3, KJV)
Reflection Questions
Have I become impervious to criticism, or merely impervious to destructive criticism?
Can trusted people correct me without fear?
Has my title become a shield against accountability?
Am I strong before people but humble before God?
Do I listen to God's voice more than I protect my position?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Guard my heart from the pride that often accompanies positions and titles. Make me strong enough to withstand attacks, criticism, and temptation, yet humble enough to receive correction, wisdom, and conviction. Let me be impervious to evil but sensitive to Your Spirit. Deliver me from the hardness of Saul and grant me the repentant heart of David. Help me lead like Joseph and ultimately follow the example of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Key Devotional Truth
God does not oppose leaders because they are strong. He opposes leaders when strength becomes stubbornness and position becomes pride. Be impervious to fear, but never impervious to God.
"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:6, KJV)
Rev. Dr. DG
Comments
Post a Comment