In my last article, ?Utilizing the ?Leaders Paradigm? to become a Strong Leader,? I wrote about how using the six pillars of the Leaders Paradigm will guide a leader in the direction they should lead. In this article I will examine what each of the six pillars of the Leaders Paradigm are, what the Biblical foundation for each pillar is, and discuss how each pillar is experienced.

Pillar One: Illumined Scriptures

?And they said one to another, ?Did not our hearts burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures??? Luke 24:32

This pillar is experienced as the Holy Spirit illumines Scriptures to you ? you sense them leaping off the page or just coming to your attention spontaneously. This pillar could be viewed as enhanced Biblicism; however, we go beyond studying the Bible with our intellects only, asking for the Holy Spirit to illumine Scriptures to our hearts and minds.

Pillar Two: Illumined Thoughts in One's Mind

?It seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus.? Luke 1:3 NASB

This pillar is experienced as the Holy Spirit guiding your reasoning process through spontaneous impressions. It is obvious that Luke's gospel was more than simply investigative research of his own mind, as what he wrote has stood as the Word of God for 2000 years. This pillar could be viewed as enhanced rationalism; however, we go beyond simple rationalism to allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our thinking process (through combining intuition and reason) rather than guiding it ourselves.

Pillar Three: Illumined Witness in One's Heart

?And immediately when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, He said unto them, ?Why reason ye these things in your hearts??? Mark 2:8

This pillar is experienced as an impression perceived in your spirit. Deep inner peace or unrest is often part of this experience. This pillar could be viewed as enhanced hedonism in that we are doing what ?feels? good; however, in our case, we are going with the ?feel? within our hearts, rather than the ?feelings? of the flesh.

Pillar Four: Illumined Counsel of Others

?Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.? Proverbs 11:14

This pillar is experienced as you ask your spiritual advisors to seek God for confirmation, additions, or adjustments in the guidance you sense God has given you. This pillar could be viewed as enhanced humanism, as we are receiving counsel through others; however, we go beyond people's wisdom and ask them to impart the wisdom of God to us.

Pillar Five: Illumined Understanding of Life's Experiences

?Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?? Matthew 7:16

This pillar is experienced as you ask God to give you insight and understanding concerning the fruit life is demonstrating. God gives you revelation as to what has caused the fruit. This pillar could be viewed as enhanced empiricism, in that we are examining life carefully; however, we go beyond our own limited understanding of life and ask God to give us His understanding of what we are seeing.

Pillar Six: Illumined Revelation from God Through Dreams, Visions, Prophecy, and Journaling

??And it shall come to pass in the last days,? saith God, ?I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.?? Acts 2:17

This pillar is experienced as you receive direct revelation from God through dreams, visions, and journaling. Journaling is the writing out of your prayers and God's answers. This pillar could be viewed as enhanced mysticism; however, we go beyond just ?any? spirit-encounter as we pursue Holy Spirit-encounter.

The objective is to have all six pillars in agreement before making a major decision. The wisest leader has a strong foundation for these six pillars. He begins with an excellent working knowledge of the Bible. His motivation in all decisions is to glorify God. By following these six pillars and applying them to your decision making, you can become a strong leader.