In Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth, we discover that a group of pseudo-leaders had arisen in his absence, who were attempting to undercut Paul’s authority and influence in Corinth while declaring themselves to be God’s ordained leaders over the church there. Because Paul was a traveling evangelist these “super-apostles” (2 Cor. 11:5) worked hard to criticize him and undermine his work while he was away.

Satan often tries to attack church leaders through complaining, gossiping, and slandering members but he can also attack entire congregations through men and women who pose as the rightful leaders of the church, yet are not ordained by God to be so. Being critical of a church leader is a serious matter, but just as prophecies need to be weighed, sometimes leaders need to be biblically evaluated.  I want to derive a few principles from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, about those who are given the mantle of leadership by God and those who may not have been given that mantle.

In his letter, Paul states, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves…We will not boast beyond proper limits but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you” (2 Cor. 10”13).  There is an interesting word that is translated as sphere in this text. It is the Greek word kanon and means, “a clearly defined and delegated territory over which rule or control is exercised.”  This suggests that God assigned Paul and his ministry team to a specific area or territory over which they were to exercise spiritual authority. This raises the question of how effective we might be if we begin to minister outside of our kanon or decide not to stay in the lane God has assigned to us. Sometimes, pastors are effective in one area but then move to another without being effective. It also suggests a person who is placed in a significant leadership role in the church, must be assigned to that church by God…not by men nor by self-promotion or popularity.  There should be some evidence that God has called someone and appointed someone to that leadership role before it is given.

There are several indicators in his letter regarding legitimate leadership and presumed leadership.  First of all, he says these “false teachers” or “super-apostles” were commending themselves.  “Leaders” who are constantly self-promoting are usually insecure, manipulative, and use people rather than serving them.  That can lead to a lot of church wounds in the congregation.  Many of the wounded abandon the church so this kind of leader can be a real weapon for the enemy. 

I’m not saying that this leader is consciously aware of what he or she is doing, but the mature need to help that leader grow in those areas of faith and ministry.  After all, many young leaders are insecure and self-promoting but can grow out of that. However, If the leader rejects counsel or only gives lip service to correction, he may not be the one ordained by God to lead the church. 

Paul reminded the church that he had come to them first with the gospel.  He was a spiritual father to them.  He also reminded them that he had demonstrated the works of an apostle – signs, wonders and miracles (2 Cor. 12:12). They also knew he was commended by other respected and proven church leaders and had sacrificed many things for the preaching of the gospel. There should be some concrete history that demonstrates calling, character, and fruitfulness in a man or woman before we give them a role of significant leadership. 

There is a Jezebel spirit that can enter a person, male or female, and, like the Jezebel of the Old Testament, can and will divide churches by undermining legitimate leadership and promoting themselves or someone they are attached to.  Anyone who has the habit of criticizing other leadership should be suspect. Remember how Absalom, the rebellious son of David, sat in the city gate and whispered how much better things would be if he were king.  In order to gain power, he split an entire kingdom.  Others have split churches.

A second indicator is whether or not the “leader” is serving the people or is insisting that the people serve him.  With self-promotion comes a sense of entitlement and sometimes obvious arrogance.  Paul declared to the church at Corinth, that unlike these pseudo-leaders, he had not demanded financial support, housing, or a seat of honor from everyone.  Apparently, these false leaders had done just that and the church had taken that attitude to be a sign of leadership.  Perhaps, that is what was seen in cultural leaders and so they assumed that indicated these false apostles were carrying a mantle of leadership in the kingdom.  But remember, Jesus said that unlike the world, kingdom leaders are not to lord it over anyone, but be servants to all. 

Thirdly, these false apostles often brought a different teaching or message than the one Paul proclaimed.  The “freshness” of the message was taken as fresh revelation by the immature church at Corinth.  I am certainly not a slave to orthodoxy, but we should be not be quick to take on new doctrinal positions until we have studied, discussed, and prayed over them. In a world of YouTube videos and podcasts, there are teachers everywhere who are articulate, convincing, and Bible quoting.  However, until you know a man or woman’s character, you should be slow to make that person a spiritual guru in your life. In addition, are they biblically sound and do they teach the whole counsel of God instead of only presenting the most palatable slice of Biblical truth?

Jesus warned us of false teachers and said we will know them by their fruit…the fruit of their life and the fruit of their teaching (Matt. 7:16).  It takes a while for fruit to become apparent, so Paul warned Timothy, “lay hands on no man quickly” (1 Tim. 5:22). What he meant was, do not approve of a man or give him influence in your life or the church until you really get to know him. 

Fourthly, leaders must be spiritually mature.  How can they lead others to maturity if they themselves are immature? Look for the fruit of the Spirit in those who would be God’s leaders. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:22-24). No leader is perfect, but there should be growing evidence if these fruits in his or her life.  

Lastly, do these “leaders” point you to Jesus or themselves.  Do they point you primarily to scripture or other sources of authority or information. Are they making disciples of Jesus or of themselves?  Do they seek the approval or men or of God?  

All of these indicators of God-ordained leadership versus man-ordained leadership are found in Paul’s writings.  I have served in churches where the leaders were clearly selected by the Holy Spirit and others where leaders were selected by men.  The difference is immense.  

If you find yourself in a place where leadership does not seem to be God-ordained or spiritual, I would encourage you to do several things.  First of all, go to the person and express your concerns.  Do so in love and with respect.  If he or she receives your concerns and takes them to heart, continue on.  If they do not, go to one or two other respected leaders and express your concerns to them…them only, not to all your friends or anyone who will listen.  This is the order of Matthew 18:15-16. If you see positive outcomes from those visits, stay and serve.  If not, pray for those leaders while you ask the Lord if you should go elsewhere.  If you sense that you should move, do so without creating any division in the church or undermining the leadership.  If a man or woman does not need to be leading, God will remove them…that is not your job. 

Here is the thing…the Spirit gives life to spirit while the flesh gives life to flesh.  If the church is being led by fleshly people, it will be a carnal church and will lead some to destruction.  Spiritual, God-ordained leadership will impart life and life is what we seek.  Leadership is critical.  Before you commit to someone’s leadership, ask a few questions, look for some fruit, and be very prayerful.