In Mark 7:6–8 Jesus confronted the religious leaders on their hypocrisy. Outwardly they appeared to be worshipers of God but inwardly their hearts were directed elsewhere. They had chosen to follow human tradition rather than God’s plain command. Leading self is the starting point for everyone—leading not for personal benefit but rather for something or someone greater than me. The religious leaders were deceiving themselves through their self-oriented leadership—that which benefited and exalted them. Their focus on an outward semblance of piety prevented them from realizing that they had shifted from their ultimate purpose of serving. Alignment between what we say and what we are begins in the heart. What we do is evidence of who we are truly following. Serving leaders follow an Audience of One. Otherwise, one’s leadership easily degenerates into self-promotion, self-fulfillment, and self-preservation with a focus on defending this self-orientation. Jesus confronted the religious leaders about it for their own sake.

KEY QUESTIONS: Do I lead for personal benefit or self-exaltation? If not, how does my leadership benefit others? How does it diminish my ego? What are some practical ways that leaders protect or preserve their position? What needs to happen in my heart today to ensure that I ultimately live to please my Audience of One?