Proverbs 29:10-17 – The impact of good leadership

Reflecting deeper, we know that it is God’s desire to have the right people assuming leadership. When the upright and righteous assume leadership, the country or organization they are leading will benefit greatly from their great leadership. When flawed people are put in leadership, the country or organization that is under their leadership will suffer. Proverbs 29:10-17 show us what good leadership will do for a community and how bad leadership will affect it. This will help us in leadership so that we can effectively and efficiently discharge our responsibility. It will also help those of us who are aspiring to be leaders in some capacity so that we can fulfill our ambition more prudently.   

Proverbs 29:10 teaches us the necessity to put violence in check. A leader must be able to identify people who are prone to promote aggression. Because of their hostile nature such people do not like others who are righteous and upright. Unscrupulously, they will go to no end to harm those who will show up their antagonism. The people who are upright see things from a different perspective. They have good intention and consider how they can help the aggressive people despite their flaws.

Proverbs 29:11 shows us that leaders who are upright will not make decisions out of anger. Only a foolish leader will cast off restraint and gives full vent to his anger and goes into a tirade. But a capable leader with wisdom knows how to apply the right remedy and soothes the anger and helps him to be more restraint.

Proverbs 29:12 suggests that good leadership demands that we must distinguish between truth and falsehood. That will enable us to administer justice fairly. When a leader gives attention and listens to falsehood, unwittingly he is encouraging wrong practice among his followers, who will become mean and wicked. His followers will be encouraged to take advantage of his weakness and act contrary to what is right, thus hurting the community.

Proverbs 29:13 tells us that a good leader is impartial. He treats all people as equal. He does not esteem himself higher than his followers. And he does not have one set of treatment for himself and another for his followers. Such a person knows that God is the source of his life and is his maker as well as that of his followers. Hence, he does not oppress his subordinates, but acknowledges the place of God in both their lives.

Proverbs 29:14 tells us that a good and capable leader seeks to defend the poor. When he does that, his leadership will be made more secure. Because he will not oppress the poor, his leadership inspires confidence and will be established.  

Proverbs 29:15 indicates that a good leader exercises right discipline. He not only punishes but also corrects. The rod speaks of punishment and reproof speaks of correction. The process of helping a person cannot be done without one or the other. We need to discipline with the rod but also counsel and show them the right path to adopt. Love is needful to a child but not overindulgence. A mother who overindulges in her love for the child and does not discipline him or her will eventually bring dishonor to herself. People say children is a refection of the parents. Wise parents raise wise children and foolish parents raise children who are insensible.

Proverbs 29:16 shows us that a good leader must restrain anyone who can bring disorder to the community. If he does not maintain disorderliness, chaos in the community will have a free reign and transgression will increase. People tend to emulate the habits of those with lower moral because they seem more pleasurable. Bear in mind that most people will take the path of least resistance. It is certainly easier to run downhill than uphill. In contrast, those who show excellent moral will be accepted and appreciated. The wicked will ultimately be removed and when they are removed it will bring great rejoicing to the hearts of the righteous.  

Proverbs 29:17, suggests that parents must bring leadership to their children, because discipline must start young and from the home. A well-brought up children will bring relief to parental anxiety. It is truly a great joy to see well groomed and well brought up children. They will bring their parents honor. Leadership is influence, so they say. Know it or not, we are all unconsciously influencing some people who are looking up to us. And we want to be an inspiration to them. So, let’s be great influencer, for good of course!