When Anointing Turns to Arrogance

In 1 Samuel 9-10, we meet Saul, a man chosen by God to lead the children of Israel. Though initially intimidated by the magnitude of the position, Saul began to function under the grace and anointing of God, stepping into his role as Israel's first king. The anointing on his life was powerful, and it was clear that the Lord had equipped him to lead His people effectively. God gave Saul a new heart and He gave him the ability to even prophecy.

However, over time, Saul's heart shifted. He started out relying on God, but as he grew more comfortable and confident in his position, he began to rely on his own abilities. This was the beginning of his downfall. Saul forgot that it was God who had anointed him, and as a result, he began to act out of pride, arrogance, and self-sufficiency. In 1 Samuel 15, we see the climax of Saul’s disobedience when he directly defied God’s instructions. Instead of obeying the Lord fully, he chose to do what he thought was best, and in doing so, he sought to please men rather than God.

This tragic shift in Saul’s heart led to the Lord rejecting him as king. His pride, stubbornness, and refusal to repent—coupled with his disobedience—ultimately caused his reign and life to be cut short. Saul's story serves as a reminder of what happens when leaders begin to rely on their own strength, abilities and resources, forgetting the Source of their calling and anointing.

Wisdom for Today’s Leaders

Sadly, many leaders in the body of Christ today are following a similar path. They began their ministries on fire for God, empowered by His Spirit, and focused on His vision. They were passionate about serving God's people and fulfilling the calling that was placed on their lives. But over time, something shifted.

In my book, The Pain of the Process, I dive into how Satan strategically tempted Jesus during His time in the wilderness. Satan attacked Him with three key temptations: to rely on His own strength, to end His life prematurely, and to pursue worldly power and success. These same temptations are still very much active today, and many of us face them regularly.

One test, in particular, has become a stumbling block for many leaders—the lure of worldly gain. In the final temptation, the devil offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down and worship him. This wasn’t just about bowing physically—it was about shifting Jesus’ focus away from His divine purpose. The enemy knew that if he could entice Jesus to chase after power, wealth, and influence, He would abandon His ultimate mission.

The frightening reality is that many leaders today have unknowingly accepted this same offer. They’ve traded their calling for material success, popularity, or status, often compromising their integrity , watering down the truth to please people and they’ve lost sight of the vision God gave them while in the process. Satan doesn’t need us to worship him explicitly—he just needs to pull our hearts away from God’s plan. And tragically, many leaders, consumed by the desire for more, have strayed away from their obedience and devotion to God. God is still in their verbiage but He’s far away from their heart. They may still talk about God, pray in the Spirit, preach the word of God, and even prophecy, but they’re no longer connected to Him. Their relationship with God has become more about appearances and performance than genuine heart alignment.

A Call to Repent and Strengthen What Remains

The Lord is calling His leaders to revisit the vision He gave them. It’s time to seek Him afresh, humble ourselves, turn away from our wicked ways, and to ask for His guidance once again. In Revelation 3:2-3, Jesus calls the church to “wake up, strengthen what remains and is about to die... Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.”

Now is the time to remember the critical importance of obedience. Saul’s tragic downfall serves as a warning that rebellion against God leads to death—whether it be spiritual or physical. Saul's disobedience didn’t just cost him his kingdom, it cost him his life. He died prematurely because he refused to heed God's commands.

This is a sobering reminder for today’s leaders: rebellion and disobedience to God’s voice have lasting consequences, not only for ourselves but for those we lead. Disobedient leadership leads people astray, causing entire ministries and households to suffer. When we disregard God's instructions, we not only forfeit His blessing, but also open the door to destruction.

Now is the time for us to truly examine our hearts and our leadership. Are we still walking in obedience, or have we been seduced by the temptation of worldly gain, power, and influence? It’s time to humble ourselves, repent, and turn back to God, asking Him to realign us with His perfect will.

The Lord is calling us to return to a place of complete surrender, where our actions are driven by righteousness, integrity, and truth. As leaders, God has raised you up not for your own glory, but to guide His people faithfully in these virtues.

So, lead well. Lead with humility. Lead with obedience. And when the enemy offers you the kingdoms of this world, remember that you’ve already been given a far greater inheritance—one that is eternal, rooted in the kingdom of God.