The Trademark of God's Leaders - Daniel's Wisdom and Tact

 This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

Today we continue to explore some of the leadership characteristics of the Old Testament prophet Daniel.

Chapter 2 is the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. In verses 5 and 6 he issues an ultimatum to his astrologers. “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble.” Talk about pressure! These wise men were expected to not only interpret the dream, they were required to describe it to the king.

They rightly answered him in verse 10. “There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks.” However, their response so infuriated Nebuchadnezzar that he ordered all the wise men of Babylon to be executed. Included in this group was Daniel, and we read his response to the commander of the king’s guard in verse 14. “… Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact.”

As leaders, we need to speak with both wisdom and tact. And we need to do so not only when the situation is going well but also when it is not. In this instance, Daniel’s very life and the lives of many others were at stake. I would suggest that speaking with “wisdom and tact” is a joint venture between us, as Christ-followers, and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

Daniel knew his Source of wisdom. Verse 20 tells us that he said, “praise be to the name of God for ever and ever, wisdom and power are His.” And in verse 27 and the beginning of 28, we read that Daniel replied to the king, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven …” Oh, but God!

As Christ-followers and leaders, we must know that wisdom comes from God and that we can confidently request it of Him. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

While wisdom comes from God, I propose that speaking with tact is largely a human responsibility. Tact is defined as “sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.” Colossians 4:6 instructs us “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Tact requires thinking before we speak, not reacting too quickly. It requires consideration for how the other party will receive what we say. I need to be more like Daniel. We all need to speak with wisdom and tact.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.