Leadership the Bible Way - Part Two
Be Careful What You Wish For!
There is a small but deeply instructive episode tucked into the closing chapters of 2 Samuel. David, Israel’s sweet psalmist and mighty king, is holed up in a stronghold. The Philistines have occupied Bethlehem, his hometown. Surrounded by enemies, weighed down with the pressures of leadership, David sighs:
“Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” (2 Samuel 23:15)
It was not a command. It was not even a request. It was a longing — a wistful desire uttered aloud. But his mighty men heard him. And for them, the unspoken desire of their leader was enough to act upon. They broke through the Philistine garrison, risked their very lives, drew water from the well, and brought it back to David.
When David received it, he was overwhelmed. He could not drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord, saying, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” (v.17).
What a scene! And what a lesson for us who lead.
Leadership Is Influence
At its core, leadership is not about titles, offices, or positions. It is about influence. If your words, your sighs, your body language, your facial expressions, and even your unspoken longings move people to action, then you are a leader. And if people consistently ignore those signals, then, quite frankly, you are not.
David never said, “Go and fetch me some water.” Yet his men treated his longing as a royal command. Why? Because they loved him. They believed in him. They had pledged their loyalty to him. His wish was their mission.
Leaders must never forget: people act on what you say — and sometimes on what you only hint at. That is why Scripture warns, “Be not rash with thy mouth…” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Influence multiplies the weight of every utterance, and even unspoken desires.
The Danger of Careless Wishes
David’s sigh was innocent. But his men nearly died because of it. This shows us that leadership magnifies not only our decisions but also our desires. Careless wishes can send followers down dangerous paths.
A pastor sighs about wanting a bigger church, and suddenly the team begins to compromise integrity to boost numbers. A CEO jokingly mentions admiration for a competitor’s aggressive tactics, and before long his staff start cutting corners to match that aggression. A father, weary after a long day, laments about wishing for “some peace and quiet,” and a child interprets it as rejection.
What you communicate, even casually, can become someone else’s mission, someone else’s obsession. Be careful what you wish for!
Communication Beyond Words
Notice that influence is not limited to words. A raised eyebrow, a heavy sigh, a look of disappointment, or a gesture of approval can steer people more than a hundred speeches. Leaders communicate with their presence as much as with their pronouncements.
David’s longing was expressed in words, but how many times do our followers “read” our eyes, our posture, or our silence? A true leader cannot afford the luxury of thoughtless communication. Every signal matters.
Paul, writing to Timothy, urged him to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Leadership requires watchfulness over all forms of expression, because someone is always watching.
Followers Prove Leadership
There is a sobering truth embedded here: if your followers do not act on what you say (and sometimes what you don’t say), then you are not their real leader. Leadership is validated in the response it provokes.
David’s men risked their lives for a wish. That was proof of his leadership. But imagine if David had sighed and everyone had ignored him. That would have been proof of something else: that his voice carried no weight with them.
This challenges us to examine our leadership. Do people respond to our words? Do they align themselves with our vision? If not, perhaps we are mistaking positional authority for real influence.
The Weight of Responsibility
When David saw the water his men brought, he trembled. He recognised the sacred responsibility of leadership: men had put their lives on the line because of him. He could not, in good conscience, drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord.
That act was more than gratitude. It was a confession. It was David saying, “Lord, this is too holy for me. Only You deserve such devotion.”
Every leader must feel that same weight. People sacrifice time, energy, and sometimes their very lives because of our words and our vision. We must never take that lightly. We must never consume such sacrifices selfishly. Instead, we must constantly pour it back to the Lord in humility, acknowledging that all glory belongs to Him.
Guarding Our Influence
So how do we apply this lesson? Here are some practical takeaways for every leader:
Be intentional with words. Never assume people will take your statements lightly. Speak thoughtfully, especially when expressing desires or frustrations.
Watch your signals. Be aware of your non-verbal communication. Followers often act on your tone, gestures, or silence as much as your words.
Clarify your intent. If you express a longing or frustration, be quick to clarify whether it is a directive or merely a passing thought. Prevent misinterpretation.
Honour followers’ sacrifice. When people act on your words, receive their sacrifice with gratitude and humility. Never exploit their loyalty for selfish ends.
Point back to God. Like David, always pour out the devotion of your followers to the Lord. Remember, ultimate allegiance belongs to Him.
A Final Word
Leadership is a sacred trust. The deeper your influence, the more careful you must be. What you say — and even what you merely hint at — can move others to costly action. David’s sigh teaches us that leaders must be careful what they wish for.
Our followers will take cues from our words, our looks, and our longings. If they do not, we are not their true leaders. But if they do, we bear the holy responsibility of stewarding that influence wisely, always pointing their loyalty back to the Lord who alone is worthy.
So, let us weigh our words. Let us watch our signals. Let us handle our influence with trembling. And let us always remember: leadership is not for self, but for service — and for the glory of God.
Continue in grace!