I asked two Hall of Fame basketball players independently what factor was most important to effective team leadership. Both said the same thing: congruence. By that they meant consistency between what is preached and what is actually lived out. There must be connection. 

Indeed, nothing disqualifies our leadership more than moments like these: 

• Saying you work hard but nobody really agrees. 
• Saying you’re a team player but functionally playing for yourself. 
• Saying you believe in tolerance but practicing intolerance of those who disagree with you. 
• Preaching a gospel that doesn’t line up with either what the Bible actually says or how one actually lives. 

And may I remind you that, when it comes to God, the stakes for congruent living grow way higher. The life He calls us to, according to 2 Peter 2:2, is termed “the way of truth.” 

Living an incongruent life to this not only erodes our leadership before others but also “brings the way of truth (itself) into disrepute.” 

In other words, for those of us who claim to know and follow Jesus, He gets a black eye when we live an incongruent, inconsistent life. He gets disrespected before a watching world when we operate outside the way of truth He gave us. 

Truth must become a way of life. It must be believed, not just known. It must be practiced, not just proclaimed. It must be consistent with the Word of God. It must change our lives. Orthopraxy must attach to orthodoxy. Only then does truth become fully powerful and truly experienced. 

Reflect: Does the “way of truth” have your great attention? How well do you know it? Are you feeding on “weak stuff” fed to you by false teachers? (Read all of 2 Peter 2 and 2 Timothy 2-4 for starters.)

How big is the gap in you between knowing the truth and believing the truth? 

A prayer to consider: LORD God Almighty, there is a way of truth. It’s You! Thank You for being so knowable through Your Son, Jesus. What a gift!

Help me not to put You in disrepute before others or disqualify myself from leading others by not knowing or believing “the way of truth.” 

Make me solid by Your Spirit in holding to this game plan. I need You to coach me in congruence, for Your glory, my good, and satisfying wins. Amen.