“But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
While attending a conference decades ago, I was impressed with a statement made by Dr. Art Glasser: “Passivity is an enemy.” These words have rung in my ears for more than forty years. As I try to express Nehemiah’s closing message to leaders, that statement seems to say it best. No leader dare play around with wrong. It must be taken by the throat. Passivity is, and remains, an enemy.
Let’s look at how Nehemiah, in Nehemiah 13, took passivity by the throat:
- Nehemiah faced the wrong head-on. I’ve never known a wrong to be solved until it is admitted to be just that—a wrong. When Nehemiah learned of wrong, he faced the situation head-on. If you have a problem in your church, your business, your home—anywhere in your life—face it head-on. Don’t skirt it. Sure, it will be painful, but deal with it. Start today.
- Nehemiah dealt with the wrong severely. After seeing the wrong or the problem as it really was, he dealt with it severely. Nehemiah stood firm. He didn’t pick a fight; he just dealt with sin severely. Any leader who expects to be respected must do the same.
- Nehemiah worked toward a permanent correction. It’s not enough just to condemn the wrong. You must do something to correct it. When you take some wrong by the throat and plan to get rid of it, replace it with something better.
- Nehemiah always followed up the wrong with prayer. When Nehemiah had done all that he could, he fell before God and said, “Oh, God, bless every one of these efforts. Give me direction and more wisdom and guidance. Remember me as I have done all I can to correct the wrong” (Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 29).
Three brief applications form Nehemiah’s final message to leaders.
First, taking any problem by the throat starts with an honest observation. Detection precedes solution. You can never solve a problem you cannot define. Second, the honest observation must be matched with courageous conviction. A godly walk requires a fearless determination and the taking of strong measures to stand firm. Third, honest observation and courageous conviction must be tempered with deep devotion. The leader must maintain a balance between standing for the truth and keeping his heart warm before the Lord.
