It’s not uncommon to read about the downfall of leaders today. No matter what sector they’re from — business, government, education, media, or the Church — there’s no shortage of fallen leaders.

In 1 Samuel 15, we read the story of one such leader — Saul.

“Samuel said to Saul, ‘I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys”’” (1 Samuel 15:1– 3).

However, shortly after receiving these instructions, we see Saul’s downfall begin. Three things marked his fall, and today we can learn to counter those behaviors so we can finish well in the ministry race.

Disobedience

When Saul carried out the attack, he failed to fully obey God’s instructions. Saul spared King Agag and kept the best of his sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and everything that was good. “These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed” (1 Samuel 15:9).

While confronting Saul, Samuel said, “Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?” (1 Samuel 15:19).

Saul only partially obeyed God’s instructions, and as we know, partial obedience is disobedience. Herein lies an important lesson for us today: Just because it looks good to us, doesn’t mean it pleases God.

Sometimes obedience doesn’t make sense to us. Sometimes obedience can even feel illogical or irrational. But when we trade illogical obedience for rational disobedience, we’ve stepped outside the will of God.

For leaders, part of loving people is to lead them well, and you can’t properly shepherd people if you’re constantly caving to their wants, whims, and wishes.

As leaders, we must guard our hearts in this area because our obedience doesn’t just impact us. The consequence of a leader’s disobedience isn’t just paid for by the leader. The people we lead also pay a toll. Obedience isn’t always popular, but disobedience is always destructive.

How do we grow in obedience? We must learn to trust in the Lord. Obedience is the outflow of trust. We usually disobey because we trust our wisdom, our efforts, and our desires more than God’s. But when we lean on Him — fully trusting His character, heart, and wisdom — we choose obedience, knowing it’s the best path forward.

Pride

Saul’s disobedience then opened the door to a second downfall: pride. Verse 12 says, “Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, ‘Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.’”

Pride builds monuments but humility builds ministry.

As author Max Lucado observed, “God resists the proud because the proud resist God. Arrogance stiffens the knee so it will not kneel, hardens the heart so it will not admit to sin. The heart of pride never confesses, never repents, never asks for forgiveness. Indeed, the arrogant never feel the need for forgiveness. Pride is the hidden reef that shipwrecks the soul.”

Humility is the obvious antidote to pride, but it can feel so deflating to our fleshly ambitions. And yet, as G.K. Chesterton observed, humility is the road to freedom and true greatness: “How much larger your life would be if your self could become smaller in it. You would break out of this tiny and tawdry theatre in which your own little plot is always being played, and you would find yourself under a freer sky.”

Next time pride tries to undermine your life and leadership, remind yourself that it’s the “hidden reef that shipwrecks the soul.” Then choose the path that leads to a freer sky.

Three of the best ways in pursuing the path of humility is to worship the God who’s bigger than you, express thanks to the people around you, and hold a proper view of the sins and shortcomings within you. This approach keeps you grounded, grateful, and growing.

People-Pleasing

Saul’s response to Samuel when confronted with his sin reveals a third downfall: “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them” (1 Samuel 15:24). Saul was a people-pleaser. He feared man, and therefore gave in to the desires of the people around him.

People-pleasing is a short-term strategy with long-term consequences. It feels right in the moment, but it always comes with a price. In the end, you, God, and the people are displeased.

The goal in life isn’t to intentionally be rude to people, disregard the feelings of others, or be brash in your boldness. Instead, we should love people. But for leaders, part of loving people is to lead them well, and you can’t properly shepherd people if you’re constantly caving to their wants, whims, and wishes.

Your allegiance is first and foremost to God. When we know God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will, we should then direct people toward His will. If you become a people-pleaser, you are relinquishing your responsibility as a leader and allowing people to guide you toward their personal ambitions.

If you’re a natural people-pleaser, consider a few helpful tips to counter this behavior.

First, ask God for help. Ask Him for the courage to say and do His perfect will.

Second, enter conversations with a well-thought-out plan. When we’re unclear on what should be done, we are usually swayed by what others think.

Third, identify and establish clear boundaries. Boundary-less leaders are often taken advantage of by others.

Fourth, predetermine how and when to say no. Think through some of the most common people-pleasing pitfalls you encounter. Then, ask a friend or coach to help you identify the best way to address those moments.

Determining in advance your response to these scenarios will help you deal with them when they arise.

Saul tried to make excuses for his behavior to Samuel, telling him he had reserved the best of the spoils for God. But Samuel was unimpressed, saying:

Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has rejected you as king (1 Samuel 15:22– 23).

Disobedience, pride, and people-pleasing are nothing more than rebellion. But if we’ll replace them with obedience, humility, and the courage to do what’s right regardless of what others think, we’ll stay in the game for the long-haul, and honor God each step of the way.