What kinds of temptations do leaders face?

2 Samuel 11:1-2In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath.

Leaders often face particular temptations, especially when everything is going well. David had reached the place where he could enjoy an amount of freedom because he had won many battles and had a trusted leadership team in place. But he had other battlefronts, as do we, where no one else can fight for us.

1 Kings 11:1-4King Solomon loved many foreign women. . . . The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord. In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been.

Leaders can be tempted to think they are special and thus exempt from the standards that apply to everyone else. But because leaders are human, they are subject to the same weaknesses as everyone else. Solomon was given wisdom beyond anyone who ever lived (1 Kings 3:12), but he made a foolish decision to ignore God’s warnings. As a result, he and his kingdom later paid the price.

2 Chronicles 26:14-16Uzziah provided the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and sling stones. And he built structures on the walls of Jerusalem, designed by experts to protect those who shot arrows and hurled large stones from the towers and the corners of the wall. His fame spread far and wide, for the Lord gave him marvelous help, and he became very powerful. But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.

The very achievements that God allows and enables can make us vulnerable to temptation. Uzziah’s success led to the presumption that he had the authority to do anything. This caused him to sin when he offered incense that God said only a priest could offer.

John 12:4-6Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

Leaders can be tempted to take advantage of the trust given them.

Numbers 20:7-12The Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”

Leaders are often tempted to become frustrated and angry with those they lead. Moses gave in to his anger with the people and forfeited the opportunity to lead them into the Promised Land.

1 Samuel 18:7-8This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!”

1 Timothy 3:6An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.

A leader who falls into pride often falls into jealousy as well. Saul’s jealousy toward David led him to try to kill a faithful and talented subordinate. Though David responded with restraint and respect, Saul’s reckless jealousy still splintered Israel’s loyalties and distracted Saul from his responsibilities as king.