BECOMING A HEALTHY LEADER: The Private Warfare Of Spiritual Leaders

Leadership by title or position is the lowest rung on the ladder of spiritual leadership. Being given a title only gives you time and opportunity—time to show your true nature and prove whether you are worthy of being followed. In the kingdom of God, true leadership is not about the position you hold, but the kind of person you are (2 Samuel 5:1–2). Sadly, many leaders in the Body of Christ today neglect to grow their spiritual lives and character, yet they aggressively pursue leadership roles. That is why there is such a loud cry in the church today for genuine, godly, Spirit-filled leaders.

A. THE PRIVATE WARFARE OF LEADERS

Proverbs 1:2; 1 Timothy 4:16; Psalms 15:1–2

Many ministers and church leaders wrongly believe that their private struggles and hidden sins will not affect their public ministry. But they are mistaken. What you do in secret—the weaknesses, sins, or character flaws you fail to conquer—will eventually affect your ministry and public effectiveness. As Scripture reminds us, *”we have this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7–9), and even the Apostle Paul battled various issues (2 Corinthians 11:24–28; 2 Timothy 4:16–18).

Below are common private battles that church leaders silently wrestle with behind the scenes:

1. Character Deficiencies

Secret struggles with anger, pride, insecurity, inferiority complex, a grudge-bearing spirit, dishonesty, political manipulations, broken trust, and exaggeration are hidden chains many leaders wear. These flaws silently sabotage spiritual credibility and divine influence.

2. Generational Curses

These are ancestral patterns and inherited demonic cycles—recurring failures, sicknesses, premature death, marital struggles, financial hardship, and unfruitful ministries that repeat the same negative trends seen in the family line.

3. Faulty Ministry Foundations

Starting ministry in rebellion, confusion, or offense; breaking away from spiritual authority without blessing or direction; surrounding yourself with disgruntled people; or stepping out without hearing clearly from God. These faulty beginnings attract spiritual battles and ministerial frustration.

4. Satanic Arrows in Ministry

Engaging in ministry without proper spiritual covering, prayer armor, or intercession can open doors to sickness, strange behaviors, spiritual attacks, and even untimely death. Ministry in hostile environments (like “the seat of Satan”) requires spiritual readiness.

5. Limiting Ordinations

Receiving ordination from unspiritual or unauthorized hands—ministers who carry unresolved spiritual issues—can transfer negative patterns into your life. If the one who ordained you is battling something unresolved, it may reflect in your own calling unless you break free spiritually.

6. Unbroken Soul-Ties

Failing to cut off spiritual and emotional soul-ties from a former church or leader results in you still seeing them in dreams or repeating their struggles. If you left a ministry in offense or rebellion without healing or spiritual release, you may carry their warfare into your own assignment.

7. Sexual and Moral Bondages

Lustful thoughts, immoral desires, sexual dreams, emotional attachments to church members, and inappropriate sexual behavior with counselees are dangerous traps that have brought down many leaders. These private sins will eventually explode publicly if not crucified.

8. Dry or Unfruitful Anointing

When your spiritual life and ministry are barren and dry, and those under your leadership are also not growing, it may be due to unaddressed spiritual warfare. Poverty, affliction, and stagnancy can linger when there is a lack of fresh oil.

9. Demonic Oppressions and Nightmares

Recurring spiritual attacks, frightening dreams, demonic visitations, and overwhelming ministry crises are signs of unaddressed spiritual oppression. When a leader is always thinking of quitting the ministry, it’s often due to unresolved private battles.

10. Difficult or Oppressive Spouse

A spouse who is unsupportive, controlling, or hostile to your calling can become a hindrance to the ministry. Some leaders married wrongly and now face homefront warfare that destabilizes their effectiveness in ministry.

11. Prideful or Prejudiced Mindset

An unwillingness to learn, grow, and be corrected can make a leader spiritually rigid and unteachable. Building ministry only on gifts instead of adding wisdom, leadership training, and humility leads to imbalance and eventual collapse. You may even surround yourself with the wrong people who are silently killing your vision.

12. Weak Leadership and Management Skills

Having a strong anointing or charisma without the ability to lead or manage people properly results in ineffective ministry. You may attract crowds, but not retain them. Without relational skills, administrative wisdom, and spiritual maturity, growth will be short-lived.

Far too many spiritual leaders are privately fighting these battles while trying to sustain their public ministry. But no matter how anointed or talented you are, you cannot lead others effectively if you have not conquered yourself. If you are unstable within, people will hesitate to follow you or commit to your vision.

B. HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR PRIVATE BATTLES

If you are a spiritual leader struggling in any of the areas above, you are not alone. But you must take steps to walk in victory and regain spiritual authority. Here’s how:

Draw Near and Totally Surrender to God
Cultivate deep intimacy with God. Let your prayer altar come alive again. A fully surrendered life is where healing begins.
Evaluate Your Life and Identify the Battles
Do a personal spiritual audit. Be brutally honest with yourself and identify the specific areas of weakness or warfare you are facing.
Seek the Lord for a Battle Strategy
Like David, inquire of the Lord. Ask Him for spiritual insight and divine strategies to defeat your invisible enemies.
Genuine Repentance
Where sin is found, confess it. Repent from hidden faults, sexual sins, pride, bitterness, rebellion, and every area where you’ve strayed.
Make Restitution if Needed
If you’ve hurt others, stolen a vision, or broken a relationship unjustly, seek to make peace and restore what was broken. Obedience brings release.
Have a Teachable and Learning Spirit
Read, attend leadership training, submit to teaching and correction. God can only lift those who are willing to learn.
Pray Through Until You Break Through
Don’t stop praying until your testimony changes. Travail in the spirit until you receive victory over your battles.
Seek Mentorship and Apostolic Covering
Connect with a seasoned and spiritual mentor who can speak into your life, pray with you, and impart wisdom and deliverance.
Pursue Personal Growth and Training
Be intentional about your development—spiritual, emotional, and intellectual. Read books, attend seminars, and grow in leadership maturity.
Be Patient and Spiritually Mature with Yourself
Healing and growth take time. Be patient with your journey, but stay accountable, focused, and Spirit-led.

CONCLUSION

remember that your public success in ministry is tied to your private victory in Christ. What you refuse to confront in secret will eventually confront you in the open. Allow God to deal with the man or woman behind the pulpit, so that your ministry can rise in power, purity, and lasting impact. You are not alone—every leader has a battle—but with God’s help, you will overcome!