The posture of a leader’s heart toward those they serve determines what they look for, what they see first, and how they partner with others.
When our hearts drift into suspicion or negativity, leadership changes. We stop leading from faith, and start leading from fear. That’s exactly what we see in Luke 6, when the Pharisees watched Jesus, not to learn from Him, but to accuse Him:
“On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.” (NIV, 2011, Biblica, Inc.)
They were looking for a reason to accuse.
Have you ever found yourself there as a leader? Maybe not consciously, but something shifted. Instead of approaching a team member with belief, trust, and possibility, you start waiting for them to mess up. You look for what’s wrong, not what’s right. You collect data points to justify frustration, distrust, or even bitterness.
Let’s be clear—this isn’t about ignoring poor performance or avoiding hard conversations. Accountability is essential. But this is about something deeper: when a grudge enters the heart and reshapes how we see those we lead.
The impact is profound. Teams lose motivation. Wins go uncelebrated. People start walking on eggshells, and eventually, they walk out the door. Meanwhile, the leader experiences a joyless, fear-based existence—disconnected from the life-giving presence they were meant to bring into the workplace.
In Luke 6, Jesus exposes the heart behind the Pharisees’ accusation:
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?’”
It’s a piercing question—one that still reaches us today. Jesus invites us to enlarge our hearts, to move from accusation to compassion, from destruction to life. He calls us to lead from love, not from judgment.
When our hearts are right, we see people rightly. And when we see people rightly, we can partner with God to bring life, goodness, and restoration through our leadership.
Reflection Q & Exercise
- Healthy Accountability – What does life-giving accountability look like in your leadership? How can you hold others responsible while still honoring their God-given dignity?
- Check the Heart – Where might you be “looking for a reason to accuse” in your business, family, or community? Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal what’s underneath.
- Rest in God’s Love – When you rest in the reality of God’s delight in you, how does it reshape your desire to accuse, control, or condemn?
Leadership begins with the heart. When your posture is rooted in love, you’ll see others as God does—and your leadership will reflect His goodness in every sphere of influence.
