Leadership is a calling from God, requiring wisdom, humility, and a heart that serves others. True leadership is not about power but about guiding people in righteousness. The Bible teaches that great leaders are those who submit to God and lead with integrity.
Godly leadership is built on faith, responsibility, and a commitment to truth. Leaders must be examples of obedience and seek God’s guidance in every decision. The best leaders serve rather than seek to be served, following the example of Christ.
The Bible is filled with principles on leadership, showing that a true leader walks in wisdom, justice, and humility. Below are Bible verses about leadership, offering insight into what it means to lead according to God’s will.
Bible Verses About Leadership
1. Proverbs 16:9
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
2. Proverbs 11:14
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
3. Exodus 18:21
“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”
4. 1 Timothy 3:2-3
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous.”
5. Matthew 20:26
“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.”
6. Titus 1:7-8
“For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.”
7. 1 Peter 5:2-3
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
8. Proverbs 29:2
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”
9. Philippians 2:3-4
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
10. Proverbs 4:7
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”
11. Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
12. Luke 22:26
“But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.”
13. James 3:17
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
14. 2 Timothy 2:15
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
15. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
16. Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
17. 1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
18. Psalm 78:72
“So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”
19. Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
20. 1 Samuel 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”
21. Romans 12:8
“He who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
22. Daniel 2:21
“And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
23. Hebrews 13:7
“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.”
24. Proverbs 16:32
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
25. Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
26. Acts 20:28
“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
27. Ecclesiastes 10:17
“Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness!”
28. 1 Timothy 4:12
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
29. Deuteronomy 1:13
“Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.”
30. Matthew 23:11
“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
31. Genesis 41:39-40
“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.’”
32. 2 Chronicles 1:10
“Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
33. Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
34. John 13:14-15
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”
35. Psalm 37:23
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”
Our Thought on What the Bible Says About Leadership
The Bible teaches that leadership is not about control, but about serving others with wisdom and humility. A godly leader does not seek power but seeks to honor God through integrity, fairness, and justice. True leadership requires humility, responsibility, and a heart that follows God’s guidance.
A strong leader is filled with wisdom and discernment. They seek God’s direction, make decisions that align with His will, and lead by example rather than mere words. Jesus, the greatest leader of all time, showed that leadership is about serving others, putting their needs before one’s own.
Leadership also comes with accountability. God holds leaders responsible for their actions and how they influence others. A true leader is faithful, courageous, and dedicated to righteousness. By seeking God, walking in humility, and serving with love, we can become leaders who glorify Him and inspire others to follow His ways.