Jesus experienced hatred and opposition. He was killed by an ungrateful mob of Jews. Every leader comes face to face with ingratitude but a leader must continue to believe in people and to trust people.
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
John 10:32
What Every Leader Should Know about Opposition
1. You are not a leader if you cannot handle opposition.
Every time I have embarked on the road of leadership, it has been met with stiff opposition. If you cannot handle the enemies who are destined to oppose you, you cannot be a great leader. Every great leader has many enemies!
2. The greater the leader, the greater the hatred and opposition.
Consider the life of Elijah. He was hated by the king and by the king’s wife. There was a death warrant out for his life. Elijah was hated and hunted because of his ministry.
And he said, what have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
1 Kings 18:9-11
We all know that Elijah was one of the greatest prophets. The greater you are in leadership, the more you will be hated and hunted. Human nature cannot stand the success of another colleague. If you are not prepared for hatred and opposition, please resign from your leadership position immediately. If everybody speaks well of you, you are probably a hypocrite.
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Luke 6:26
3. Every new step of leadership results in fresh arrows of hatred and opposition.
Every step of strong leadership encounters real antagonism. When I began my church, I was called every name you can think of. Since Jesus Himself was accused of using the power of Beelzebub, I consider it a privilege to be called anything derogatory for his sake. If you do not want to be criticized, then you cannot be a leader. When Nehemiah ventured out to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, you would have thought that everyone would have been happy. But Sanballat and Tobiah rose up to oppose him.
But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? Will ye rebel against the king?
Nehemiah 2:19
4. Opposition often comes in the form of plausible accusations.
When David spoke of killing Goliath, his brothers reacted angrily and accused him of pride and naughtiness. Isn’t it amazing that good people are often given the most wicked labels?
And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? And with whom has thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
1 Samuel 17:28
David had to handle the hatred of his own brothers and then the hatred of his father Saul. Hatred and opposition are part of leadership.
5. Develop a hard forehead for opposition.
Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 1:8
Do not be distracted or deterred by opposition. If the least opposition is able to stop you, then you are a poor leader.
Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
Ezekiel 3:8, 9
6. Opposition is often a sign that you are in the will of God.
Rejoice, there is good news. Satan would not attack a dead piece of wood. You are now a threat to Satan, that is why he is attacking you.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12
The Scripture teaches that your rewards depend on God and not on the people you helped. God is the only one who can reward you adequately. A leader does not let opposition and hatred direct his heart. Are you a leader? Expect your rewards from God and overlook hatred and opposition!
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
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