Bible Verses About Leadership
The bible has a lot to say on the topic of leadership, praise the Lord. His words are relevant to our lives. This is such an interesting topic and the bible examples have many parallels with our daily life. If there are any verses that you are interested to read more in, I encourage you to go read the full chapter or the one before.
What images come to mind when you think about a leader? Is the leader a man or a woman? Is the leader dressed in suits or casual clothes? This post will discuss various aspects of leadership, including leadership in the world and also spiritual leadership.
Origins of Leadership
In order to understand more about leadership, it is important to go back to the origins of leadership. The following bible verses tell us that leadership originated in the Garden of Eden, where God created Adam and Eve. This is the first instance of leadership.
God, who was the leader of Adam, placed Adam in the garden of Eden to manage the garden as the leader there. Besides that, God also entrusted Adam with naming every animal, bird and living creature that were there. God, knows that Adam will not be able to manage his work alone, so God made Eden out of Adam's rib so that she can help him in the garden and Adam then became her leader.
15 The LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it. 16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” 18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground The LORD God formed every animal of the field, and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature became its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field; but for man there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21The LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. As the man slept, he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 The LORD God made a woman from the rib which he had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of Man.” (Genesis 2:15–23)
After Adam and Eve, the next few examples of leadership in the bible included that of Abraham, Joseph (son of Jacob) and Moses. The following bible verses are an example of how God had instituted leadership in the Israelite community after their Exodus from Egypt.
1 The LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, every male, one by one, 3 from twenty years old and upward, all who are able to go out to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall count them by their divisions. 4 With you there shall be a man of every tribe, each one head of his fathers’ house. (Numbers 1:1-4)
There were 2 men (Dathan and Abiram) from a Reubenite tribe and 1 man (Korah) from a Levite tribe, who brought along 250 other Israelite leaders to challenge Moses' and his brother, Aaron's leadership. These people were not able to accept Moses' and Aaron's leadership as they think they are all equals. They distrusted Moses' and Aaron's leadership. As the following bible verses showed what they said to them:
3 They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much on yourself, since all the congregation are holy, everyone of them, and the LORD is among them! Why do you lift yourselves up above The LORD’s assembly?” (Numbers 16:3)
And they were not able to bear with the temporary transitional pains before they get to the promised land as shown in the following bible verses:
12 Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; and they said, “We won’t come up! 13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, but you must also make yourself a prince over us? 14 Moreover you haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We won’t come up.” (Numbers 16:3-14)
There was a great mess after that. God punished by his own hand those who were inciting rebellion towards Moses and Aaron and then the rest of the people continued to grumble against Moses and Aaron and they see them as murderers, and they continued to rise up against Moses and Aaron despite seeing God's punishment on those people earlier.
God wanted to put an end to those people with a plague but Moses told Aaron to hurry to make atonement (seeking God's forgiveness) for these people and the plague stopped. But 14700 people died from the plague.
After that, God wanted to make it clear to all the people that Aaron and Moses are the chosen leaders to guide them in the wilderness, in the following bible verses:
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff. 3 On the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe. 4 Place them in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the covenant law, where I meet with you. 5 The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.” 6 So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and their leaders gave him twelve staffs, one for the leader of each of their ancestral tribes, and Aaron’s staff was among them. 7 Moses placed the staffs before the Lord in the tent of the covenant law. 8 The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. 9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the Lord’s presence to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each of the leaders took his own staff. (Numbers 17:1-9, NIV)
As we can see from above, leadership is not easy and there may be people who will challenge it. We also see that leadership originated from God.
How God Chose Leaders In The Bible
As God instituted leadership and if we want to look at what God thinks would make a good leader, we can take a look at how God chose leaders in the biblical times.
God Looks At The Heart
The heart is something that is hard for humans to see, as we only see the outward appearance, such as if the person seems smart, capable or good. God does not choose a leader just because they look good or if they are tall, even though sometimes they may be so. God who knows everything, even the thoughts of man, informed us in the following bible verse, that the heart is more important than the outward appearance.
But The LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but The LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
God Chose Leaders When They Were Working Hard
The following are some bible verses that showed what the chosen leaders were doing when God revealed to them. They were working hard, even at mundane and boring tasks. They hardly receive recognition from people, but God knows them. The following examples are those of Moses, Gideon, Ornan (whose field became the chosen site of the Temple in Jerusalem), David and the shepherds who brought the good news of Jesus' birth.
1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God’s mountain, to Horeb. 2 Yahweh’s angel appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 Moses said, “I will go now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” (Exodus 3:1-3)
11 The LORD’s angel came and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah, that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press, to hide it from the Midianites. 12 The LORD’s angel appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” (Judges 6:11–12)
20 Ornan turned back and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat. 21 As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshing floor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground. (1 Chronicles 21:20-21)
10 Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “Yahweh has not chosen these.” 11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.” (1 Samuel 16:10-11)
8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (Luke 2:8–9)
A Woman Leader In Biblical Times
Besides men being mentioned, it is also good to know that there were women leaders in biblical times. To just name one, Deborah, as mentioned in the bible verses below is not only a prophetess and a judge, she is also the leader of the captain (of an army). These women were godly, wise and they were brave as well. These women rose up, instead of men.
4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time. 5 She lived under Deborah’s palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 She sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh Naphtali, and said to him, “Hasn’t The LORD, the God of Israel, commanded, ‘Go and lead the way to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 I will draw to you, to the river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into your hand.’ ” 8 Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” 9 She said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the journey that you take won’t be for your honor; for The LORD will sell Sisera into a woman’s hand.” Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. (Judges 4:4–9)
1 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying, 2 “Because the leaders took the lead in Israel, because the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, The LORD! (Judges 5:1–2)
Parables Related To Leadership
Jesus had shared some parables that pertain to leadership. In the following bible passages, we see two of these parables.
The first one is the parable of the shrewd manager below, where a manager was fired for wasting his master's possessions. So this manager reduced the debt of those who owe his master so that he would be accepted into their houses.
1 He also said to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 He called him, and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3 “The manager said within himself, ‘What will I do, seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me? I don’t have strength to dig. I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.’ 5 Calling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred batos of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred cors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 “His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light. 9 I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents. 10 He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 If you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to one and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve God and Mammon.” (Luke 16:1–13)
The above parable does not mean for us to follow the dishonesty of this manager nor his master, but to teach us that sometimes people in the world are shrewd and wiser than people who follow God. So the people of God has to learn to use money wisely so that even after they die, they will have friends in heaven.
This is also related to the christian stewardship of finances, which you can read more about here regarding 7 Principles of Stewardship.
The second Jesus' parable related to leadership is the master whose workers agreed to be paid a denarius for a day's work in his vineyard and those workers started the work. Later on in the day, when he sees other people idling around, he told them to go ahead to work too. Before the day's end and at the last hour, he continued to hire people to work. At the end of the day, he paid them all the same with a denarius.
1 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. 4 He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’ 7 “They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ “He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.’ 8 “When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.’ 9 “When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius. 10 When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household, 12 saying, ‘These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!’ 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you. 15 Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 20:1–16)
You would imagine that those who went at first would be feeling upset about this perceived unfairness. However, Jesus is teaching this parable to show us that as long as there was an agreement for the wages on the laborer's end, the master did no wrong. And that Jesus is pointing out that the Kingdom of Heaven is based on God's grace and goodness. When there is the principle of the last will be first, it ensures that no one can boast before God, even spiritual leaders.
When Leaders Sought Jesus
There were a lot of leaders who sought Jesus according to the Bible. The following bible verses are just a few examples of leaders who went to seek Jesus for his help; either to save a dying daughter (Jairus), to learn more from Jesus (Nicodemus) and believing in his salvation (Crispus).
18 While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples. (Matthew 9:18–19)
41 Behold, a man named Jairus came. He was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come into his house, 42 for he had an only born daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him. (Luke 8:41–42)
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” (John 3:1–3)
Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized. (Acts 18:8)
Who Is Your Leader?
Who are you following? Do you have a leader in your daily life? How is your relationship with your leader? The following bible verse stated that no one can serve both God and money (Mammon). Either God or Money will be your master, or the reason for your work.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. (Matthew 6:24)
Are You A Leader?
If you are in a position of authority over others, you are a leader. Leaders have authority over their people according to the bible verse below.
17 When Samuel saw Saul, The LORD said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! He will have authority over my people.” (1 Samuel 9:17)
Even if you are not in an obvious role of leadership, the bible verse below states that those who believe and follow Jesus are actually a royal priesthood (those who pray for others). In that sense, if you believe and follow Jesus, you are a kind of leader too (of priesthood)!
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Problems Without Proper Leadership
Where there is no leadership, what happens?
The bible verses below inform that there could be disorganization, chaos, accidents, harms and even God's wrath.
Disorganization Occurs Without Proper Leadership
In this bible verse below, Micaiah the prophet was asked by King Ahab (King of Israel) if they should go to war against Ramoth Gilead. Micaiah prophesied the following that he saw the Israelites being scattered like sheep without a shepherd and to prevent this chaos, he advised them to return to his house in peace (not to go to war).
Here we see that even though there is a King over Israel, but in the eyes of God, there is no real leadership to take care of his people.
He said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. The LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let them each return to his house in peace.’ ” (1 Kings 22:17)
Accidents And Harm Occur When There Is No Leadership
The following bible verses also talk about how because there is no proper leadership of the Levites in carrying the ark of the Lord, thus there was a tragedy of a death that occurred. When Uzzah, reached out his hand to steady the ark because the oxen which were carrying it stumbled. This was because he had put his hand on the ark, when he was not supposed to, and God's wrath broke out against him and he was struck down and he died.
11 David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, 12 and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring the ark of The LORD, the God of Israel, up to the place that I have prepared for it. 13 For because you didn’t carry it at first, The LORD our God broke out in anger against us, because we didn’t seek him according to the ordinance.” (1 Chronicles 15:11–13)
5 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 6“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. 7They shall keep his requirements, and the requirements of the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle. 8 They shall keep all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, and the obligations of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 9 You shall give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons. They are wholly given to him on the behalf of the children of Israel. 10 You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood, but the stranger who comes near shall be put to death.” (Numbers 3:5-10)
This above passage shows us that without proper leadership, accidents, harms and even deaths can occur.
What To Do If There Is No Leadership
What should we do if there is no proper leadership in place? The following bible verses encourage us to be wise and continue to work hard.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; 7 which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8 provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. (Proverbs 6:6–8)
The Functions Of Leadership
This section will talk about what the bible says about the function of leadership (not necessarily spiritual).
1. Leadership Is Necessary For Systematic Management
In order to get things done which is otherwise laborious for a few, having a systemic leadership, where there are leaders under a main leader, will ensure there is systemic efficiency. The following bible verse is an example of that where Joseph (son of Jacob) recommended the Pharaoh a method to store up food before a 7 year famine come.
Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt’s produce in the seven plenteous years. (Genesis 41:34)
2. Leadership Is Necessary For Guidance
The following bible verse show that leadership is necessary for the people's guidance on what to do.
20 You shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do. (Exodus 18:20)
3. Leadership Is Necessary For Getting Things Done
The bible verses below show that leaders tell their workers what to do, so that things can get done.
8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Matthew 8:8–9)
4. Leadership Is Necessary Because It Is Needed For The Organization To Function
Even though the bible verses below talk about the members of Christ's body (the church), it is also applicable to organizations. In organizations, there are people who work in different areas with different functions. The leader is the head of the organization, which is needed for it to function, though it is not more important than the less powerful parts.
4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another, 6 having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7 or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4–8)
21 The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. (1 Corinthians 12:21–22)
5. Leadership Is Necessary To Disseminate Important Information
The following bible passages talk about how the main leader spoke to the leaders below them to disseminate important information to the community. This was back when before social media of how people get their important information-- from their leaders. In today's age, though there is the power of media to spread information, there are some sensitive information that are best shared in person through leaders.
1 Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which The LORD has commanded. (Numbers 30:1)
1 David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, the captains of the companies who served the king by division, the captains of thousands, the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem. 2 Then David the king stood up on his feet and said, “Hear me, my brothers and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of The LORD’s covenant, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared for the building. (1 Chronicles 28:1–2)
2 Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households. (2 Chronicles 1:2)
6. Leadership Is Necessary To Maintain Order And Justice
The bible passages below show that leadership is necessary so that there is a system of justice and order with the leaders being made the judges to help in deciding outcomes in disputes.
21 Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men which fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you. 23 If you will do this thing, and God commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.” (Exodus 18:21–23)
25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. (Exodus 18:25–26)
13 Take wise men of understanding who are respected among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.” 14 You answered me, and said, “The thing which you have spoken is good to do.” 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, according to your tribes. 16 I commanded your judges at that time, saying, “Hear cases between your brothers and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the foreigner who is living with him. 17 You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.” 18 I commanded you at that time all the things which you should do. (Deuteronomy 1:13–18)
Purposes Of A Spiritual Leader
A spiritual leader could be a minister in church, a preacher, a cell group leader, or even a more mature Christian who is guiding a person. The bible verse below shows one of the purposes of a spiritual leader, which is to provide the people with knowledge and understanding of God's ways.
15 I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:15)
Tips For Leaders
Here are some tips from the bible for leaders, hoping that it will be helpful.
1. Not To Rush Into Leadership
For spiritual leadership, there should not be a rush into it, as being a spiritual leader will ensue heavier judgment as people's eyes will all be on you to see if you are doing what you teach. In general, we should be cautious if we have any tendencies of loving to be a leader and being discontent otherwise. If that occurs, one should slow down and not rush into leadership, to prevent becoming a bad leader.
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. (James 3:1)
9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. (3 John 9–10)
2. Avoid An Entitlement Mindset
What this means is that even though you are a leader, you must still adhere to the same principles of ethics that everyone else have to adhere to. In other words, you can see yourself as just the same as the people who work for you, but just that you have a different role from them.
A leader is just a human like everyone. If you keep that in mind as a leader, you may feel the pressure and expectations on you decrease. Your focus could then be on doing your role well just like everyone doing theirs.
In the following bible verses, John the Baptist answered the crowd's questions regarding their entitled mindset of being a descendant of Abraham.
10 The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?” 11 He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:10–14)
3. Say A Prayer To God Before Important Conversations
The following bible verses are from Nehemiah, where he was about to answer the king's question, and that is the great opportunity for him to bring up his request to rebuild his hometown Judah. Before he brought the request to the king, he prayed to God. And God answered his prayer with the king giving Nehemiah a favorable reply.
You can say a prayer to God before you have any stressful or important conversations. God is able to help you through it, according to his will.
4 Then the king said to me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may build it.” (Nehemiah 2:4–5)
4. Pay Your Workers Right
If you are in a position to pay your workers, the bible verse below remind us that we should not rob our workers, rather we need to pay them on time and correctly.
13 ‘You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. “ ‘The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning. (Leviticus 19:13)
5. Do Not Slander Someone Else's Subordinate To Their Boss
This verse below is from Proverbs of the bible, that warn us not to slander servants to their masters, as that will invite curses and it is a bad thing to do.
10 Don’t slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty. (Proverbs 30:10)
6. Make Good Use Of Your Workers' Gifts
In order to do this, you will need to understand what are your workers' gifts. To understand your workers better, you will need to have some time to observe how they work and also put in effort to get to know them better by asking them their opinions, questions and listening to their preferences. By putting your workers in positions where they can exercise their gifts, not only will that help efficiency, but it will also lead to good morale.
As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10)
4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another, 6 having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7 or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8 )
7. Dress Appropriately For Your Role
It is important to dress appropriately, not over the top, so that you will look professional and so that you can appear respectable as a leader. It should be suitable for you, so that you will look good and inspire your workers. The following bible verse talked about how God designed holy garments for the high priest, both for glory and for beauty.
2 You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. (Exodus 28:2)
What A Leader Needs
These are the essentials that every leader will need in order to do their job well, or even better.
1. A Leader Needs God To Lead Well
The following bible verses shared about how God is our leader and shepherd. Even all the wisdom of men come from God as well. A leader needs a great God to lead him or her on how to lead.
My soul, you have said to The LORD, “You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing.” (Psalm 16:2)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. (Psalm 23:1–2)
10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. (Ecclesiastes 12:10–11)
2. A Leader Need To Make Sure Earnings Are From Righteous Means
The bible verse below tell us that even though through deceit, wicked people can earn money, but for the one who sows righteously will reap a sure reward. In order not to fall into a cycle of deceit and to ensure rewards (either monetary or others), a leader must make sure the earnings are from righteous means.
18 Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. (Proverbs 11:18)
3. A Leader Need Wise Counselors
The following bible verses state that counselors are very important, more so for leaders. A counselor will provide wise guidance on directions. Besides human counselors, God's words and His Holy Spirit are also our counselors that guide us.
Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. (1 Chronicles 27:33)
Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. (Psalm 119:24)
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory. (Proverbs 11:14)
God Is Our Perfect Leader
In order to have a truly perfect role model of a leader, we need to look to God.
God As Our Shepherd
The following bible verses talk about how we should look to God for his mercy and guidance. God is described to be like a shepherd of us, as he cares for us all. He uses his justice to care for us according to our needs.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to The LORD, our God, until he has mercy on us. (Psalm 123:2)
Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever. (Psalm 28:9)
You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron. (Psalm 77:20)
Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine out. (Psalm 80:1)
12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so I will seek out my sheep. I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and their fold will be on the mountains of the height of Israel. There they will lie down in a good fold. They will feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down,” says the Lord The LORD. 16 “I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will feed them in justice.” ’ (Ezekiel 34:12–16)
God Is The Ultimate Leader As He Sees All The Leaders' Doing
Another reason why God is the greatest leader, is that he sees all things and he knows all things, he is able to see all the leaders' dark deeds even though they might think he is not looking at them.
12 Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in his rooms of imagery? For they say, ‘The LORD doesn’t see us. The LORD has forsaken the land.’ ” 13 He said also to me, “You will again see more of the great abominations which they do.” (Ezekiel 8:12–13)
God Provides Us With Leaders
As God cares about his people when there are bad leaders, the following bible verses state that God will provide new leaders over his people when that happens.
1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says The LORD. 2 Therefore The LORD, the God of Israel, says against the shepherds who feed my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and have not visited them. Behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings,” says The LORD. 3 “I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they will be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, neither will any be lacking,” says The LORD. (Jeremiah 23:1–4)
God Is The Source Of Blessings For Leaders
The following bible verses talk about how God blessed some of his leaders. He is the source of blessings when he is with them. It does not mean that we will definitely be blessed materially or gain success in the world if we walk with God, but it means that He can definitely bless us and he is the source of blessings.
34 He said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The LORD has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. The LORD has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys. (Genesis 24:34–35)
2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 His master saw that The LORD was with him, and that The LORD made all that he did prosper in his hand. 4 Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, The LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. The LORD’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field. 6 He left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate. Joseph was well-built and handsome. (Genesis 39:2–6)
God Shows Support For His Leaders
When God shows support to his leaders, it is to accomplish his purposes for his people. If not for the great support from God, those leaders may never seem that big a deal in the eyes of the people.
The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. (Joshua 3:7)
God's Warning To Spiritual Leaders
The following has a warning from the bible regarding spiritual leaders that they should not bring the hire of prostitutes as offerings into the Lord's house. This is because God is holy and his house is holy. What is earned by sexual immorality is an abomination to him.
18 You shall not bring the hire of a prostitute, or the wages of a male prostitute, into the house of The LORD your God for any vow; for both of these are an abomination to The LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 23:18)
God Works For Those Who Wait On Him
Even though God is our perfect leader, the bible verse below tells us that God actually works for those who wait for him, or put their trust in him.
For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides you, who works for him who waits for him. (Isaiah 64:4)
The Holy Spirit Is Our Counselor
The bible verses below tell us that The Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth will also be given to us and the Holy Spirit will live in us, when we believe in Jesus. This would mean that we have God's guidance in our hearts and lives through his Holy Spirit. As a leader, this would greatly help you.
16 I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive, for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16–17)
Jesus Is Our King Of Kings, & Lord Of Lords
The bible verses here below show that over all the leaders in the world, Jesus is King above all kings, and Lord over all lords. Jesus is not just a leader. Throughout the Old Testament, prophecies about Jesus have come true, and that leads into Revelations about the end times as well that Jesus will one day rule over all.
Understanding Jesus' leadership is important, as it will help us to follow his perfect model of leadership. It is thus not surprising, that through the bible, a heavy weight with majority of the bible verses found are related to Jesus' leadership role.
Jesus Is Our Cornerstone
A cornerstone is a stone that forms the corner of the building of which the sides will depend on that stone's guiding measurement. Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives that we can use as a guide to how we live.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22)
Haven’t you even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner. (Mark 12:10)
7 For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and, “a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. (1 Peter 2:7–8)
Jesus Was Prophesied To Rule Over All
The following are some bible verses that prophesied about Jesus' leadership. From these verses it is thus seen that Jesus is ultimately reigning as ruling God.
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples. (Isaiah 55:4)
6 For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of The LORD of Armies will perform this. 8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it falls on Israel. (Isaiah 9:6–8)
4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet, 6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’ ” (Matthew 2:4–6)
Jesus Is Our Good Shepherd
There were lots of bible verses about Jesus being our good shepherd, starting from the prophecies. Jesus was trying to tell us that he is not just any shepherd, he is the Good Shepherd and we are his sheep, and he cares for us so much that he was willing to sacrifice his life in exchange for ours. He is the atoning sacrifice for the world.
He is the Perfect Lamb Of God (the perfect sacrifice once and for all sins of humanity) who shepherds us to life-giving waters (see Revelation 7:17 below).
He does not just care about those who believe in him, he also cares for those who are not believers! As in the bible verse from John 10:16 says, Jesus said He must bring them in also.
God brought him back to life after he died for our sins, Jesus resurrected to life again through his own power. So, Jesus is not just loving and caring, he is also powerful in order to come back from the dead.
1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. 2 And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. (1 John 2:1–2)
for the Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them and leads them to springs of life-giving waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)
1 You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience. 3 We also all once lived among them in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; 8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, that no one would boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. 11 Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision” (in the flesh, made by hands), 12 that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility through it. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, 20 being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; 21 in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2: 1-22)
He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young. (Isaiah 40:11)
For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)
20 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20–21)
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; 15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.” (John 10:11–18)
35 Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:35–36)
32 Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (Matthew 25:32)
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ (Matthew 26:31)
Jesus' Authority As Our God
Jesus did many wonders and signs, and he taught with great authority. All powers in heaven and earth have been given to him. He instructed his believers to share his teachings and life to everyone in the world. When we keep that in mind, we can feel less scared of authorities as we know that all authority has already been given to Jesus.
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes. (Matthew 7:28–29)
34 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods?’ 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken), 36 do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ 37 If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me. 38 But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:34–38)
15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you and the love which you have toward all the saints, 16 don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 20 which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. 22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:15–23)
They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Matthew 27:37)
18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18–20)
36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:36–37)
Jesus Is A Humble Leader
What I find amazing about Jesus is his humility. Though he is God, he was humble and not all showy. He washed his disciples' dirty feet to demonstrate to them how he wants them to serve each other, even after in the future when they became church leaders.
He rode into Jerusalem as prophesied on a donkey, not a war house, which reminds people of his mission for true peace and not power. He reminds his followers that they are not above him. And thus, his followers should see themselves as his servants whose purpose is to serve others, rather than wanting to be served by the people.
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, 4 arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:3–5)
4All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, 5“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” 6The disciples went and did just as Jesus commanded them, 7and brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them. (Matthew 21:4-7)
15“Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:15)
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. (Matthew 10:24)
But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. (Matthew 23:8)
We Belong To Jesus And He Is Our Head
The following bible verses tell us that Jesus is our head and we belong to Him. We are not our own. We are fulfilling a part of the body of Christ when we use our gifts to serve in the world.
11 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11–16)
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23)
7 Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that even as he is Christ’s, so we also are Christ’s. 8 For even if I boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for casting you down, I will not be ashamed, 9 that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters. (2 Corinthians 10:7–9)
He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)
9 For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily, 10 and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9–10)
and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth. (Colossians 2:19)
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.” 20 And again, “The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless.” 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours, 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. (1 Corinthians 3:18–23)
But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3)
Stay In Jesus In Order To Be Fruitful
Jesus encouraged us to stay in him and to continue to be with him in our daily lives, so that we can bear much fruit in our lives. If you are relying on your own strength, you will get exhausted. You can get your nourishment from Jesus and your strength from him.
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. 2 Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. (John 15:1–7)
Jesus' Encouragement To You
If you are a leader who needs some encouragement, read these following verses from Jesus. He is speaking to you. He does not just rule over you, he sees you like a good brother would. You can call on him to help you in your difficulties.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19, KJV)
28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
11 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, (Hebrews 2:11)
All Things Will Be Put In Subjection Under Jesus One Day
The bible verses below tell us that all things will be put under Jesus' feet one day, in other words, he will be ruling over all one day. That is so important for us to see that all the leadership in the world will not be able to compare to his leadership one day.
6 But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t yet see all things subjected to him. 9 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:6–10)
27 For, “He put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when he says, “All things are put in subjection”, it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him. 28 When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:27–28)
13 I command you before God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, 14 that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which at the right time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords. (1 Timothy 6:13–15)
I looked, and saw a white cloud, and on the cloud one sitting like a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:14)
These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. (Revelation 19:12)
He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:16)
No Leader Is Perfect
With that big picture of seeing God as our great leader and Jesus as the final ruler of all, we see that we humans are not perfect, and thus no human leader is perfect. Even if we have leaders, they may fail us sometimes. Or we may fail as leaders sometimes.
Before we look at the qualities of a good leader according to the bible, it is important to keep in mind that no leader is perfect, as we all have the sinful nature in us. Thus, in order to be a better leader ourselves, we need to look to God for guidance.
10 Where is your king now, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges, of whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’? 11 I have given you a king in my anger, and have taken him away in my wrath. (Hosea 13:10–11)
18 A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one: God. (Luke 18:18–19)
19 Traits Of A Good Leader
With that to tone down our expectations to become perfect leaders, we can come to realize that it is a daily walk with God and continuing to follow his ways to get wisdom that we can know how to truly lead. The following qualities of a good leader may take time to develop. They could even be skills that can be learnt.
1. A Good Leader Researches A Problem Thoroughly Before Taking Action
The bible verses below talked about Nehemiah, an Israelite who was exiled to Susa during the period when the Jews were exiled there. He was a cupbearer to the King of Susa, King Artaxerxes. He had a desire to rebuild his hometown Jerusalem that was destroyed. With God's grace upon Nehemiah, King Artaxerxes showed favor and granted his request. Thus Nehemiah went on a mission to rebuild his fallen city.
Nehemiah went to inspect and research on the problem itself firstly.
11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. 12 I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There wasn’t any animal with me except the animal that I rode on. 13 I went out by night by the valley gate toward the jackal’s well, then to the dung gate; and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and its gates were consumed with fire. 14 Then I went on to the spring gate and to the king’s pool, but there was no place for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the brook and inspected the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned. (Nehemiah 2:11-15)
2. Don't Rush Into Sharing Your Vision For Your Organization Until You Know What It Means On A Practical Basis
It may be exciting to share your vision for the organization, however a good leader keeps that excitement in check and truly knows what it means on a practical basis before sharing it with anyone. This will earn credibility and respect for the leader who the people will know they don't talk empty words.
As Nehemiah go about his mission, the following bible verses share that he kept quiet about it for a while.
12 I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There wasn’t any animal with me except the animal that I rode on. (Nehemiah 2:12)
16 The rulers didn’t know where I went, or what I did. I had not as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work. (Nehemiah 2:16)
3. Encourage The People With The Meaning And Purpose Of Their Work.
The following bible verses show that after knowing what it all means, Nehemiah encouraged and gained the support of the people and the remnant leaders there. When people know the purpose of their work and the meaning of it, they will then be willing to put in effort for the work.
17 Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come, let’s build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we won’t be disgraced.” 18 I told them about the hand of my God which was good on me, and also about the king’s words that he had spoken to me. They said, “Let’s rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. (Nehemiah 2:17-18)
4. Analyze The Risks And Costs Before Making Big Decisions
A good leader will need to be strategic and analyze if the decision is worth the risk and the cost, for the organization. This can also risk management.
31 Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? (Luke 14:31)
5. Diligence
The bible verse below shares that being diligent is part of a person's journey to becoming a leader. To read more about bible and hard work, click here.
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. (Proverbs 12:24)
6. Faithfulness
The bible verse below tells us that an important quality of being a manager is to be found faithful. A faithful leader do what they say they will. They are also faithful stewards of what they are entrusted to do. In other words they are reliable.
2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)
7. Integrity
The bible verse below talked about the importance of leading with integrity. Integrity is being honest and having strong moral principles (Oxford Languages). Some people think that integrity is doing what is right when no one is seeing.
In the following bible verses, the good leaders' integrity meant they did what was right in the Lord's eyes as the Lord is always watching them, which they are aware of.
70 He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance. 72 So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. (Psalm 78:70–72)
42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 43 He walked in all the way of Asa his father. He didn’t turn away from it, doing that which was right in The LORD’s eyes. However, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 44 Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. (1 Kings 22:42–44)
1 Now in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. 3 He did that which was right in The LORD’s eyes, according to all that David his father had done. 4 He removed the high places, broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because in those days the children of Israel burned incense to it; and he called it Nehushtan. 5 He trusted in The LORD, the God of Israel, so that after him was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among them that were before him. (2 Kings 18:1–5)
20 Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he did that which was good, right, and faithful before The LORD his God. 21 In every work that he began in the service of God’s house, in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart and prospered. (2 Chronicles 31:20–21)
8. Skillfulness
The same bible verse also talked about skillfulness as a quality of a leader when guiding the people. This means that the leader is really good at what he or she does. It may take time and experience to learn and gain this trait.
70 He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance. 72 So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. (Psalm 78:70–72)
9. Knows Well What Is Going On In The Organization
The bible verses below encourage us to pay attention to the work that is going on and to know the state of the people we are guiding. This will help the leader to make relevant decisions and ensure that the leader will not be seen as "unaware".
23 Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds, 24 for riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations. 25 The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in. 26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field. 27 There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls. (Proverbs 27:23–27)
10. Pays According To The Work
A good leader knows that a worker has to be paid right, so that the worker will not resent and stop working.
18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:18)
11. Honorable
A good leader is honorable by the way he or she acts. People can trust him or her. If they start to lie, the leader will lose his or her status in the eyes of the people and lose their influence.
15 The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail. (Isaiah 9:15)
12. Humility
The bible talks at length about the importance of humility. This is also important for leaders. The following bible passages are from Jesus who brought up the problem of some spiritual leaders who just enjoyed the power they had. Jesus taught here that whoever exalts himself will be humbled. Thus, if a leader becomes proud, it will be their beginning of their fall.
Jesus taught here that whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Thus, a good leader will remain humble and be wary of the temptations to become proud.
Jesus also taught here that we should not think in terms of our status as leaders, but rather, we need to think of how we can serve others better.
1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. 3 All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 5 But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, 6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi by men. 8 But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. 9 Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. 14 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don’t enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter. (Matthew 23:1–14)
10 Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:10–12)
This following section will also discuss spiritual elements that are good qualities of a leader.
13. Serving Jesus Through Their Work, With Good Will Towards Their Workers
A good leader will see their work as a service unto the Lord, with everything they do, they are doing it for God's glory and his kingdom purpose. The bible verses below tell the masters to do the same towards their servants as how their servants work for them.
Jesus also taught in the bible verses below that a good leader should have a heart and desire to serve others first. Having good will towards co-workers will help create a positive working environment.
5 Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ, 6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free. 9 You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. (Ephesians 6:5–9)
25 But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 27 Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25–28)
42 Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 Whoever of you wants to become first among you shall be bondservant of all. 45 For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42–45)
14. Not Distracted By Luxurious Living
A good leader will not indulge in drunkenness from drinks or substances, or spend excessive time on eating. It does not mean that a leader cannot enjoy his food or drinks at times. However it does mean that the pursuit of a life of enjoyment is not the main focus of the leader's life.
The following bible verse said that the land will benefit when their leader eat for strength and not for drunkenness.
Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! (Ecclesiastes 10:17)
15. Obtains Strength From God
A good leader knows the limitations of his or her own strength and they will rely upon God's given strength to them to lead, as the following bible verse says.
4 He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of The LORD, in the majesty of the name of The LORD his God. They will live, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth. (Micah 5:4)
16. Guide People To The Correct Paths
A good leader will guide the people to a correct path that is beneficial for them.
Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your heritage, who dwell by themselves in a forest. Let them feed in the middle of fertile pasture land, in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old. (Micah 7:14)
17. Stands Up For The Truth Despite Majority Consensus
A good leader must not be a crowd pleaser. A good leader must have the courage to speak what is true even the majority thinks otherwise. Good leaders do this not for the sake of proving they are right, but for the sake of the people and the organization.
The following bible verses talk about how Joshua and Caleb stood up against the whole community to tell them the truth of how good the Promised Land really is, when the whole community thinks the risk of going into the Promised Land is far too great. They received hatred and even threats to kill them over it.
6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those who spied out the land, tore their clothes. 7 They spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If The LORD delights in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us: a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only don’t rebel against The LORD, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us. Their defense is removed from over them, and The LORD is with us. Don’t fear them.” 10 But all the congregation threatened to stone them with stones. The LORD’s glory appeared in the Tent of Meeting to all the children of Israel. (Numbers 14:6–10)
18. Wise With Understanding Or Knowledge
The bible verses below say that good leaders are wise men of understanding. They may be knowledgeable as well.
13 Take wise men of understanding who are respected among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.” 14 You answered me, and said, “The thing which you have spoken is good to do.” 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, according to your tribes. 16 I commanded your judges at that time, saying, “Hear cases between your brothers and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the foreigner who is living with him. 17 You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.” 18 I commanded you at that time all the things which you should do. (Deuteronomy 1:13–18)
19. Raise Up Proteges To Continue The Legacy
The following bible verses show how Moses asked God to raise up another man to take over his place before he dies. A good leader's good work does not end when they leave the organization. They will ensure that they have a selected new leader that can continue to lead the organization.
The other bible passage below talks about how the work is like laying on a foundation. The next generation of worker will thus lay another layer upon it. Thus each layer is important to ensure the whole thing can stand the test of fire.
12 The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered; 14 because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) 15 Moses spoke to The LORD, saying, 16 “Let The LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, 17 who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the congregation of The LORD may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.” (Numbers 27:12–17)
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each man’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is. 14 If any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:10–15)
Qualities Of A Good Christian Leader
This next sections pertains to Christian leaders, who lead either in a church setting or in a private or volunteer setting. It is indeed a high calling to become a Christian leader.
1. Humility
A good Christian leader who follows Jesus is humble and does not hang on to their public positions for a sense of power. They have a heart to serve the people, even doing the most unsightly tasks. The following bible verses teaches the importance of serving with humility.
26 But not so with you. Rather, the one who is greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. 27 For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 “But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. 29 I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:26–30)
12 So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. 16 Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. (John 13:12–16)
2. Without Reproach
The following bible verses state that a good spiritual leader must be without reproach, which means that nothing they do can be a point of disapproval.
This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer desires a good work. 2 The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; 3 not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; (1 Timothy 3:1–3)
7 Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:7)
Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. (1 Timothy 3:12)
6 if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. 7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; 8 but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. (Titus 1:6–9)
3. Takes Care Of His Own House and Family Well
Before a person can take care of God's people in the church, he must first of all be able to take care of his own house and have his children taught well in subjection with all reverence to him, according to the bible verses below.
4 one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; 5 (for how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule his own house take care of God’s assembly?) (1 Timothy 3:4-5)
4. Be A Mature Christian
The bible verse below states that a good Christian leader is a mature Christian and not a new convert to prevent the fall of pride.
6 not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. (1 Timothy 3:6)
5. Good At Teaching
A good Christian leader is a good teacher as well. They are patient and able to impart the knowledge of God's words and how to live by them in an effective way to the people.
9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. (Titus 1:6–9)
2 The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; (1 Timothy 3:2)
6. Strong And Courageous
A good Christian leader is strong and courageous as well. It is no small task to lead God's people, and with it are pressures and challenges. The following bible verses show how God encouraged the new leader Joshua who took over Moses.
2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go across this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. 5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you. 6 “Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. 9 Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for The LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:2–9)
7. Keeps God's Commandments
A good Christian leader who guides God's people to follow God's ways, must first be able to walk in God's commandments himself or herself. As shown in the bible verse below, we will show that we know God if we keep his commandments.
This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. (1 John 2:3)
8. Pray For The People
A good Christian leader who has a heart for God's people will pray for them, as shown in the bible verse below. Even if the leader sees a person sinning, the good leader will pray for that person too. When the leader prays, sometimes God can give them wisdom on how to help that person.
Please pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your loving kindness, and just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” (Numbers 14:19)
9. Sanctified
The following bible verse says that In order for God to use a person, that person has to be purified from sins that are dishonoring to God. After which, when cleansed, that person will then be suitable for God's use, even as a Christian leader.
20 Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor and some for dishonor. 21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:20–21)
10. Be Attentive To The People They Care For
A good Christian leader pays attention to the people they care for so that they can guide them well, according to the bible verses below.
28 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:28–29)
11. Ego Serving A Big God
A good Christian leader does not have a big ego. According to the bible verses below that John the Baptist was saying, that his goal is to let God's glory increase and his own decrease. He is serving God not for his own glory but for God.
27 John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. (John 3:27–31)
How To Treat Our Leaders
1. Pray For Your Leaders
The following bible verses encourage us to pray for our leaders. We can pray for God to give them wisdom and justice when governing and for us to be able to lead a peaceful life so that we can continue to worship God in gatherings. If our leaders are not yet believers, we can also pray for them to accept Jesus' salvation through the work of the cross.
We also do not have perfect leaders all the time. Thus we can pray for them and the challenges if they give any.
He said, “The LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. (Genesis 24:12)
1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–4)
2. Don't Imitate Which is Evil, Imitate Only The Good
The bible verse below teaches us not to imitate anything that is evil but only what is good. If our leaders are evil and encourages us to do wicked deeds, we should not obey or imitate them. If there is no good in them, we should not imitate them at all either. This post is assuming most people have normal work place leaders who do not have a plan to harm others.
The bible verses in Psalm 94:20-23 below teaches us to NOT have any fellowship with a throne of wickedness that orders wicked deeds by law. Such wickedness happen when it is a plan to harm people's souls and their lives. In such situations, we can run to the Lord, escape to the Lord and trust God to bring judgment to those leaders.
Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. (3 John 11)
20 Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with you, which brings about mischief by statute? 21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. 22 But The LORD has been my high tower, my God, the rock of my refuge. 23 He has brought on them their own iniquity, and will cut them off in their own wickedness. The LORD, our God, will cut them off. (Psalm 94:20–23)
1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. 2 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn’t do that which was right in The LORD his God’s eyes, like David his father. 3 But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom The LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. 4 He sacrificed and burned incense in the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. (2 Kings 16:1–4)
If we have good spiritual leaders who made a positive impact in our lives, we need to remember them and imitate their faith.
Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)
3. Greet Them
When you see your leader at the work place, try not to hide or run away. The bible verse below encourages us to greet our leaders. A simple "good morning so and so" or "hi so and so" would be good.
Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you. (Hebrews 13:24)
4. Be Faithful In Doing The Work Assigned To You
According to the bible verses below, a good worker to a leader is faithful in the task given to them, and it is pleasing to a leader/manager at the workplace when a worker is faithful to complete the task properly.
“He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ (Luke 19:17)
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. (Matthew 24:45–46)
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (Matthew 25:21)
42 The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. (Luke 12:42–43)
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters. (Proverbs 25:13)
Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored. (Proverbs 27:18)
5. Be In Submission Towards Them
The following bible verses encourage us to submit to our leaders and following their instructions. This is again, of course excluding anything that any evil leaders may lead us into. It is a virtue to practice these qualities towards your current leaders. When you submit and obey your leader, it should be of a single-heartedness, not just a surface pretense.
9 Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting, 10 not stealing, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. (Titus 2:9–10)
1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. (Titus 3:1–2)
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority, 4 for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. (Romans 13:1–4)
11 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme, 14 or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well. 15 For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. (1 Peter 2:11–15)
22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God (Colossians 3:22)
6. Work Heartily
Instead of Monday Blues, we can have a work attitude to work sincerely and from your heart, as if you are working for God. As the bible verses below encourage us, we need to work heartily as for the Lord and not for men.
23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality. (Colossians 3:23–25)
7. Respect And Honor Them
The bible verses below teaches us that we need to respect and honor our workplace leaders. Even if there are people who gossip about them, we need to avoid getting involved in those gossip. We should also be respectful of their time to rest and in the way we communicate with them. We should also honor them when we talk to them in front of people or when they are not around. This is God's teaching for us.
12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says The LORD of Armies to you priests who despise my name. “You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ (Malachi 1:6)
Why Leaders Fail
As mentioned above, there are no perfect leaders. However for leaders who do not do evil nor teaches us to do evil things, those we can continue to serve and pray for them. The following are some reasons why some leaders fail.
1. Bad Time Management
The bible verses below warn of leaders who sleep in times when they are supposed to work, or misusing their time for work. These leaders have poor time management and they miss the prime time to do important work. When that happens, the places they lead will suffer.
16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning! (Ecclesiastes 10:16)
18 Your shepherds slumber, king of Assyria. Your nobles lie down. Your people are scattered on the mountains, and there is no one to gather them. (Nahum 3:18)
2. Incompetence
According to the bible verses below, Jesus talked about the blind guiding the blind and they both will fall into a pit. A leader who does now know better than the followers will lead them all to a wrong place. A leader has to be competent and know the way in order to guide their followers.
10 He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. 11 That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:10–14)
3. They Have Bad Counselors
As mentioned above, counselors to a leaders shape and influence their decisions. If a leader has bad counselors, they will make bad decisions.
3 He also walked in the ways of Ahab’s house, because his mother was his counselor in acting wickedly. (2 Chronicles 22:3)
4. Ignorance
The bible verses below inform us that leaders can have ignorance. In this case, the leaders' ignorance led to the crucifixion of Jesus. Even though that was part of God's plan, it definitely was an act of ignorance and if they had realized who they had killed, they will be horribly regretful and it will be considered a greatest failure of all time.
17 “Now, brothers, I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. (Acts 3:17–18)
4. Corruption
The bible verses below say that when leaders judge for bribes, it is displeasing to the Lord. Throughout history, it has shown great leaders who fail due to corruption and greed.
11 Her leaders judge for bribes, and her priests teach for a price, and her prophets of it tell fortunes for money; yet they lean on The LORD, and say, “Isn’t The LORD among us? No disaster will come on us.” 12 Therefore Zion for your sake will be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem will become heaps of rubble, and the mountain of the temple like the high places of a forest. (Micah 3:11–12)
Why Spiritual Leaders Fail
This following section will look into some parts of spiritual leaders' failures.
1. Something Else (Idols) Took The Place Of God
The bible verses below talk about how when the leaders of each Israelite home had idols into his heart, it will become a stumbling block of sin. When that happens, the leader becomes estranged from God through their idols.
It could be lust, power, money, fame, pride, etc., or anything that became more important than God to them. When that happens, they spend more time with their idols, or engaging with their idols, and as a result, they lose their relationship with God.
4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘The Lord The LORD says: “Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face then comes to the prophet, I The LORD will answer him there according to the multitude of his idols, 5 that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.” ’ (Ezekiel 14:4–5)
12 These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever. (Jude 12–13)
2. Not Seeking God
When a spiritual leader stops seeking God for guidance and rely on his own strength, the bible verse below tells us they will not prosper.
21 For the shepherds have become brutish, and have not inquired of The LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks have scattered. (Jeremiah 10:21)
2. Preaching For A Price
I believe in preachers receiving a regular income to support themselves through the church goer's offerings and tithes, so that they can continue to focus on God's work in the church. This point the bible verses below is making here is something different. Here it is warning against preachers who only preach for a price.
That is, the preaching became motivated due to the money it can earn from it, it is not truly for the souls of people or for the kingdom of God. Preaching in this case became like a commodity, something that is tradable with money.
I'm thankful that there have been churches I attended whose preachers never teach for a price. There is a Chinese seminary in Singapore - Chin Lien Bible Seminary that provides free seminary courses and meals for its students as they believe in "freely give, for you have been freely given". To the glory of God, those are shining testaments to Jesus' grace.
11 Her leaders judge for bribes, and her priests teach for a price, and her prophets of it tell fortunes for money; yet they lean on The LORD, and say, “Isn’t The LORD among us? No disaster will come on us.” 12 Therefore Zion for your sake will be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem will become heaps of rubble, and the mountain of the temple like the high places of a forest. (Micah 3:11–12)
3. Teaching People To Go Astray
This may sound strange about why a preacher would teach people to go astray, but sometimes it can happen. When the spiritual leaders teach people paths that are not of God, the people will go a different path from God's desires for them.
6 My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have caused them to go astray. They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill. They have forgotten their resting place. 7 All who found them have devoured them. Their adversaries said, ‘We are not guilty, because they have sinned against The LORD, the habitation of righteousness, even The LORD, the hope of their fathers.’ (Jeremiah 50:6–7)
1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says The LORD. 2 Therefore The LORD, the God of Israel, says against the shepherds who feed my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and have not visited them. Behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings,” says The LORD. 3 “I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they will be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, neither will any be lacking,” says The LORD. (Jeremiah 23:1–4)
The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail. (Isaiah 9:15)
4. Grievously Hurting People
In these bible verses, it talked about shepherds who killed and dispersed the flock they were supposed to take care of. It is not talking about causing bruises here, but slaughtering. A spiritual leader who did something so badly hurtful or abusive that people left the church.
We have to keep in mind that people do leave churches for various personal reasons from time to time out of their own wills. But here, it means that the preachers are actively and intentionally hurting people and the people leave the church as a result.
34 Wail, you shepherds, and cry. Wallow in dust, you leader of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions have fully come, and you will fall like fine pottery. 35 The shepherds will have no way to flee. The leader of the flock will have no escape. (Jeremiah 25:34–35)
5 Exploiting People
The bible verses here condemn shepherds that feed on their sheep, instead of guiding them to follow God and caring for them. An example is preaching prosperity gospel to encourage people to give more offerings or tithes so that the preachers will have more money to spend on a luxurious lifestyle.
9 therefore, you shepherds, hear The Lord’s word!” 10 The Lord GOD says: “Behold, I am against the shepherds. I will require my sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep. The shepherds won’t feed themselves any more. I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.” (Ezekiel 34:9–10)
6. Not Doing Their Jobs
The bible verses here talk about spiritual leaders who did not feed their congregation with God's word, but gain the monetary benefits from them. Nor do these leaders strengthen people's faith, help comfort people or bring them towards leaving sin behind. These leaders also do not share the gospel of Jesus to those who do not know Jesus yet or looked for those who have fallen in faith. However these leaders continue to rule with authority and force.
God says to these leaders: Woe to you.
1 The Lord’s word came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and tell them, even the shepherds, ‘The Lord God says: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat. You clothe yourself with the wool. You kill the fatlings, but you don’t feed the sheep. 4 You haven’t strengthened the diseased. You haven’t healed that which was sick. You haven’t bound up that which was broken. You haven’t brought back that which was driven away. You haven’t sought that which was lost, but you have ruled over them with force and with rigor. 5 They were scattered, because there was no shepherd. They became food to all the animals of the field, and were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill. Yes, my sheep were scattered on all the surface of the earth. There was no one who searched or sought.” (Ezekiel 34:1–6)
Hoping this post on leadership will be able to share with you some of the biblical teachings on this topic. We can continue to give thanks to the good leaders in our lives, pray for them, and learn to be good leaders ourselves.
Below here is a prayer guide for leadership:
Bible version: the public domain World English Bible (WEB) has been used throughout this post. The WEB translation of "Yahweh" has been changed to "the LORD" which is more familiar to most readers.
