When God gave Moses wisdom about leadership in Deuteronomy 17:16–20, He began by describing what a leader should not depend on for confidence, courage, discernment, or guidance:

“The king… must not acquire great numbers of horses… or take many wives… or accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.”

These warnings point to the dangers of selfishness, lust, and greed—traits that lead a person away from reverent dependence on God and toward a destructive self-trust. A leader whose first thought is “How will this benefit me?” is not one to be trusted with the hearts and minds of others.

After listing what a leader should avoid, God clearly outlines what a trusted leader should do:

“He is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law… and read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord… and follow carefully all the words… not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites… and not turn from the law to the right or to the left.”

This is a call to personalize God’s Word, to read it daily, and to let it shape every thought, decision, and action. It’s a call to humility, selflessness, and reverence. The kind of leadership God blesses is rooted in His Word and guided by His Spirit—not by worldly ambition or personal gain.

For me, this passage is a reminder to beware of selfishness, lust, and greed—and to trust only in the Lord Jesus and His Word for my confidence, courage, discernment, and guidance. It also challenges me to be discerning about who I trust with my heart and mind—seeking relationships with those who are daily kneading God’s Word into their lives.

A Prayer for God-Shaped Leadership

Dear Lord Jesus, as I read and reflect this morning, I see how much I resemble what You’ve warned against. I need Your help to become more of what You desire—someone shaped by Your Word and Your Spirit. Do a deep work in me. Make me trustworthy, humble, and dependent on You alone for every thought and choice I make. Amen.