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When we come to understand the Bible, we find it very inspiring. It has the answers to problems we face and guidelines to navigate every scenario we find ourselves in.
Psalms 119:103-105 says, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts, I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Scripture illuminates the paths we should take and has much to say concerning leadership and leading others.
It highlights the integrity we should walk in as leaders and is full of good and bad examples that help us see the benefit of leading God's way versus any other way.
What is Leadership?
Leadership is leaving an impact on others and inspiring them to follow. Truth be told, we are all leaders in some capacity. It happens in all walks of life, from parenting to influencing siblings, classmates, co-workers, employees, and communities.
Leadership, on some level, is a part of our life's purpose. In organizations, we see leadership in various roles, and each level has increased responsibilities.
When we are effective leaders, we empower our followers to succeed and set a great example that gives them the blueprint for success.
Biblical leaders give their followers vision, direction, and the format to adapt to various circumstances. They don't act in ways that contradict the principles they teach but take charge in setting the example.
Good leaders have a way of helping others feel they are part of a team and community where everyone (including the leader) is pulling in the same direction. Because leaders stand out front like a king leading his army to battle, showing them how it’s done, not like a boss who sits back and tells others how it should be done.
Furthermore, leaders show diligence and demonstrate to others how to persevere through hard times.
What Does the Bible say about Leadership and Leading others?
According to the Bible, leaders should submit to God’s authority and honor Him. Nations prospered when the leaders followed this format but were oppressed and suffered when that wasn’t the case.
With the recognition that comes with being a leader, it takes careful consideration to honor God and not let pride slip in and become puffed up. Leaders must also serve.
Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 20:25-28:
“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them].
It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your [willing and humble] slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin].”
The Lord calls for leaders to lead with a pure heart out of humility instead of arrogance or pride.
Leaders care deeply for their people. In 1st Peter 5:1-5, Peter reminds leaders to care and watch over the people they are entrusted with.
Additionally, the Bible tells us in 1st Timothy that leaders can come at any age, young or old. In the text, Timothy, a young leader, is encouraged to be an example to others in the way he talks, in his conduct, faith, purity, and love.
Lastly, the Bible tells us that good leaders are people others want to follow. Remember, your attitude and example as a leader are contagious to those around you.
45 Inspiring Bible Verses About Leadership & Leading Others
1. Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.”
2. Proverbs 11:14
“Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], but in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors, there is victory.”
3. Proverbs 29:11
“A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger, but a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.”
4. Exodus 18:21
“Furthermore, you shall select from all the people competent men who [reverently] fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; you shall place these over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.”
5. Matthew 24:45-47
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has put in charge of his household to give the others [in the house] their food and supplies at the proper time? Blessed is that [faithful] servant when his master returns and finds him doing so. I assure you and most solemnly say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”
Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has put in charge of his household to give the others [in the house] their food and supplies at the proper time? Blessed is that [faithful] servant when his master returns and finds him doing so. I assure you and most solemnly say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” – Matthew 24:45-47
6. Luke 22:26
“But it is not to be this way with you; on the contrary, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest [and least privileged], and the [one who is the] leader, like the servant.”
7. Luke 12:48
“…From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much of him, they will ask all the more.”
8. Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”
9. Matthew 5:37
“But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.”
10. Luke 6:31
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”
11. 1st Timothy 4:12
“Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth, but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.”
12. 1st Timothy 3:2
“Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”
13. 1st Thessalonians 5:14
“We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper].”
14. 2nd Timothy 2:15-16
“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. 16 But avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness.”
15. James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.”
16. James 3:1
“Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].”
Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].” – James 3:1
17. Isaiah 41:10
‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].”
18. John 13:13-17
“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is who I am. 14 So if I, the Lord, and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well. 15
For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed [happy and favored by God] if you put them into practice [and faithfully do them].”
19. Proverbs 16:12
“It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly, for a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).”
20. Isaiah 40:29-31
“He gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might, He increases power. Even youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, but those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired.”
21. Proverbs 23:9
“Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the [godly] wisdom of your words.”
22. Acts 20:28
“Take care and be on guard for yourselves and for the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd (tend, feed, guide) the church of God which He bought with His own blood.”
23. Hebrews 13:17
“Obey your [spiritual] leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. Let them do this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to you.”
24. Matthew 7:12
“So then, in everything, treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.”
25. Psalms 133:1
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”
26. Proverbs 21:23
“He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards himself from troubles.”
27. Psalms 78:72
“So, David shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them with his skillful hands.”
28. Romans 12:6-8
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.”
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.” – Romans 12:6-8
29. Proverbs 29:2
“When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.”
30. Proverbs 29:4
“The king establishes (stabilizes) the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it.”
31. Proverbs 12:1
“Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof and correction is stupid.”
32. Proverbs 16:32
“He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier], and he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.”
33. Proverbs 18:1
“He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire; he quarrels against all sound wisdom.”
34. Proverbs 24:10
“If you are slack (careless) in the day of distress, your strength is limited.”
35. 1st Timothy 5:17
“The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ].”
36. Numbers 12:3
“Now the man Moses was very humble (gentle, kind, devoid of self-righteousness), more than any man who was on the face of the earth.”
37. Titus 1:7-9
“For the overseer, as God’s steward, must be blameless, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain [but financially ethical]. And he must be hospitable [to believers, as well as strangers], a lover of what is good, sensible (upright), fair, devout, self-disciplined [above reproach—whether in public or in private].
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy word [of God] as it was taught to him, so that he will be able both to give accurate instruction in sound [reliable, error-free] doctrine and to refute those who contradict [it by explaining their error].
38. Proverbs 4:23
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”
39. Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients] when it is in your power to do it.”
40. Titus 2:7-8
“And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified, sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so that the opponent [of the faith] will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us.”
41. Jeremiah 23:1
“Woe to the shepherds (civil leaders, rulers) who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord.”
42. Proverbs 31:8-9
“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless; 9 open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the afflicted and needy.”
43. Proverbs 4:25-27
“Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage] and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity]. Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet, and all your ways will be steadfast and sure. Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk]; turn your foot from [the path of] evil.”
Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage] and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity]. Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet, and all your ways will be steadfast and sure. Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk]; turn your foot from [the path of] evil.” – Proverbs 4:25-27
44. Luke 6:39
“He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man guide [another] blind man? Will they not both fall into a hole in the ground?”
45. 1st Corinthians 10:32-33
“Do not offend Jews or Greeks or even the church of God [but live to honor Him]; just as I please everyone in all things [as much as possible adapting myself to the interests of others], not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, so that they [will be open to the message of salvation and] may be saved.”
Final Thoughts on Bible Verses about Leadership & Leading Others
The Bible has much to say about leading others and the responsibility comes with it. As a leader, we no longer live for ourselves alone, but for the benefit of others we lead.
So, in every decision we make, we must consider how they will affect those following our lead.
We have a responsibility to pray, study, and educate ourselves… but we also have the patience to nurture and guide those who follow us with a “no one left behind” mentality, placing a high value on their personal growth.
We must also lead with integrity, humility, and grace, and we get the blueprint from the Bible. Remember, we ultimately answer to God for how we lead others.
Psalms 75:6-7 says, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
And if you want more inspirational bible verses, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 41 Best Bible Verses About Respect and Honor
- 41 Bible Verses about Living with Anxiety & Fear
- 41 Bible Verses About Finding Happiness & Joy in Life
