Since leaders can make or mar, one can never be too careful about those in charge of things. Isaiah paints a disastrous consequence for the people of God because of bad leadership.  “For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16 NKJV. Where you have in place wrong leaders, the people of God risk being in error and eventual destruction. The warning of John is therefore important here: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” I John 4:1 NKJV. We have many false leaders today; at best they are wolves who appear in sheep clothing. Only those who pray and watch can see beyond the veneer of these impostors.

Genuine leaders don’t tend to replace God in people’s life; they encourage intimate fellowship between them and their Creator.

How do we test the spirit at work in any leader? Our Scriptural passage provides an important test kit. We read that Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God. In other words, Moses wanted the people to have direct contact with God. This is critical. If a leader discourages you from going close to God personally, or poses as if he alone has God’s hotline, you have to be careful. Genuine leaders don’t tend to replace God in people’s life; they encourage intimate fellowship between them and their Creator. Genuine leaders will act like Paul who said he had betrothed the Corinthian brethren to Christ. No leader should come between you and God.