 SIGNS OF TOXIC LEADERSHIP AND HOW TO AVOID IT BECOMING ONE
Proverbs 16:18 New Living Translation 18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Proverbs 6:16-19 New King James Version 16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to [a]Him: 17 A[b] proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. People don’t leave organizations they leave leaders.
How to avoid it’s trap:
Proverbs 3:6 New King James Version 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall [a]direct your paths.
© 2025 Dr. Samaria M Colbert  By Dr. Samaria M Colbert PhD (c) 2025 Copyright
Example: Genesis 11 The tower of Babel, they wanted to build a building to heaven so they could make themselves famous, not honor God.
1 Samuel 16:7 King James Version 7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. I know of a young man who had a call to ministry and he was discouraged by the elders because he didn't hoop and yell as he preached. He was a great Bible teacher. Luke 10:25-37 New Living Translation 25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”[a] 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant[b] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[c] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
Matthew 15:8-9 New Living Translation 8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’[a]”
Matthew 6:16-18 New King James Version16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the [a]hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you [b]openly. Matthew 6:5-7 New King James Version 5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the [a]hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you [b]openly. Luke 20:45-47 New Living Translation 45 Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46 “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 47 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.” 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Religious people don’t show grace or operate in grace.
2 Timothy 3:5-6 New King James Version5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
James 4:10 New King James Version 10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
John 8:1-11 New Living Translation 1 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
What should to do?
1 John 4:1-2 New Living Translation 4 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.
Luke 14:11 New Living Translation 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Proverbs 29:23 New Living Translation 23 Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. James 4:10 New Living Translation 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. Acknowledge God in everything you do. Let your sole dependency be on God. Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.  We can avoid unnecessary stress, pain, trials and turmoil if we just obey God's voice the first time. You will never be promoted passed your ability to obey God's voice. You can't compromise your way into God's blessing. You can't force God's hand on what he is not in. God cannot be manipulated. Curses are broken through obeying God's word. Shouting, fasting, prayer and sowing are not a substitute for obedience. Obedience is required for the blessing. Grace does not give you a green light to disobey God's instructions. You will never get out of a place called stuck until you decide to obey. You delay your own promise when you don't obey God's instructions. In this season of your life, things will not start moving forward. You will not be blessed. You will not break the curse. You will not be elevated. Your life is not going to go in the direction of the vision God gave you until you obey ALL his instructions. Remember partial obedience is still disobedience. Don't play in God's face. When you truly love God you will obey his instructions. When you don't it's only a sign you don't love God. Those who love him love his word and pleasure in obeying his instructions. John 14:15-31
(c) 2024 Dr. Samaria M Colbert |
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