nature of man

NATURE OF MAN
INTRODUCTION
Although man is not a machine, a leader who hopes to be effective in getting work done through people must understand something about the nature of man. Humans are much more difficult to understand than machines because the different components of the body are drastically affected in so many ways both by the environment and by the body’s own chemicsl composition. Human emotions add to the complicated basic human nature as they affect leadership.
Psalm 8:4 asks, ‘‘what is man?’’ it then proceeds to answer the question by affirming that man is a special creation of God, created as man from the begining. At no stage in his history has Gos considered him to be an animal. Man was always man.
What is important for a christian leader is to look at man through God’s eyes. The bible says that God created man for His own pleasure; that in His sight man is only a little lower than the angels (Psalm8:5). Leadership then, needs to understand and be aware of the marvelous creation it is working with.
WHAT IS MAN
(A) Man is a special creation of God with a definite purpose – man was created by God as a special being. He is completely different from animals which inhabit the earth and from angels that inhabit the heavens as he consists of body, soul and spirit (Genesis 1:26-27)
(B) Man was created to have dominion over God’s creation upon the earth – (Genesis 1:26-27, hebrews 2:6-8). God purposed that he should have dominion over the rest of His creation on this earth. God implanted in him a need and desire to dominate the creation around him – animals, his envirnment, nature, e.t.c. it is also important to recognise that this nature is a source of many leadership and group problems. Most conflicts, in reality are leadership conflicts. They exist on national, regional, local, church and personal level.
Although it is natural for man to desire leadership, he is not born with its know – how and skills. He needs to learn the necessary art and skills even as he has to learn how to fulfil other natural needs such as walking, talkiing and eating. Often Christians who are not aware of this God – implanted nature in man accuse their fellow – men and brethren of carnality when they show a desire for certain positions within the church or other cghristian organisations.(1 Timothy 3:1)
(C) Man was created to be a ‘‘Doer’’ – man was created in the image of God (Genesis1:26-27) God is the Master Creator and man, made in His image, also has the need, the ability, the authority and the responsibility to recreate what God created originally in the form of raw materials. This need and skill distinguishes man from all other creatures (Genesis 1:28) states man is to ‘‘replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish’’ it is the duty and responsibility of Christian leadership to live, communicate in such a manner that people will develop trust and belief in their standards and values.
A good leader must examine himself frequently to see which components of his nature are shaping his attitudes and skills and consider the results and consequences of his leadership. A good leader must recognise all the facets of human nature and have the necessary knowlege and skill under God to harmonise these complex and conflicting attributes of man into one balanced and useful personality that can make a positive contribution to his society and bring glory to God.