5 POWERFUL BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW
The specifics will vary depending on the environment, objectives, and responsibilities. Leading a kid’s baseball team is going to look different from leading a project with a budget, a timeline, and multiple stakeholders. But our identity, character, and some foundational principles remain unchanging.
Start with Jesus
The best place to start is with Jesus. He had a way of raising eyebrows—doing things unconventionally and unexpectedly. His ways were holy, completely set apart from the patterns of this world. Many of his followers hoped he would conquer with force and usher in justice politically or militarily. Yet Jesus chose the way of a servant, which ultimately took him to the cross. He conquered sin and death, bringing about something eternally more significant than any earthly victory.
Following Jesus transforms every area of our lives, including our leadership. He reminds us that a servant isn’t greater than his master. And as he served, sacrificed, and suffered, we gladly look to follow the same pattern in our leadership. He calls us to pick up our cross. To follow him. To come and die, that we might truly live.
Knowing Our Identity
As we step into leadership roles, we need to firmly grasp our identity—both as human and as men called and empowered by God.
First (and quite obviously), we are not God. He has attributes we’re meant to reflect, like his compassion, justice, creativity, and love (often called his communicable attributes). But there are also attributes that belong to God alone—his omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence. When we try to carry the weight of these incommunicable traits, we’ll eventually buckle under the pressure. It’s not possible for us to be everywhere, know everything, or control every outcome.
We are human. We have limits. And we must lead with the humility that comes from being aware of those limits.
Have you ever played in the ocean waves, only to look up and realize the current pulled you far from your starting point? In the same way, we’re pulled by sin, fear, desire, and insecurity. It’s critical to evaluate our motivations, intentions, and attitudes—are we drifting? Do you have other men in your life who can speak honestly into those areas? Leadership marked by confession and course correction is leadership marked by godly integrity.
Yet while our humanity limits us, we are also created, gifted, and empowered for the work God has called us to. That means we don’t lead from a place of striving or proving, but with confidence that God is at work in and through us. He equips each of us with gifts, experiences, and opportunities, and places us in roles to serve Him and others.
With that in mind, here are five biblical principles that shape how we lead as Christians:
5 Biblical Principles that Shape How We Lead as Christians
1. Stewardship Rather Than Ownership
Everything we have belongs to God (Colossians 1:16-17). Our opportunities, influence, skills, relationships, and even the breath in our lungs are gifts from him (James 1:17). Leadership is not about ownership, it’s about stewardship.
From the beginning, God commissioned humanity to fill the earth and subdue it, to rule over creation (Genesis 1:28). That’s significant influence, but it’s not ownership. The earth and everything in it still belong to the Lord (Psalm 24:1). God has already pre-planned and prepared good work for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). We aren’t self-made. The opportunities before us were given by Him for His purposes.
Leading as a Christ-follower recognizes this dynamic. It’s not about us, but about being faithful with what we’ve been given—for a vision and purpose greater than ourselves.
2. Humility Rather Than Pride
Depending on how you define it, humility might seem at odds with effective leadership. But humility isn’t self-deprecation, self-doubt, or passively deferring to others. It’s not weakness or false modesty. True humility is a right view of God, self, and others. It doesn’t seek status. It’s teachable, approachable, and willing to repent. It’s God-focused rather than self-focused.
Jesus modeled humility perfectly, and this is one of his characteristics that we get to reflect. Though fully God, he did not cling to his position but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2). Scripture warns us to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Romans 12:3) and that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
As we lead with humility, we still lead with clarity, vision, and purpose. We remain responsible for decisions and outcomes—but our hearts aren’t driven by recognition or a desire to be elevated. Christlike leadership honors God and upholds the dignity of others.
3. Serving Rather Than Being Served
Jesus’s disciples once fought over who would be greatest. In response, he said, “Whoever wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35). He flipped the worldly view of authority upside-down. In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus contrasted his way with that of the world: leaders in the world “lord it over” others, but “not so with you.” Instead, we lead by serving. In John 13, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, modeling servant-leadership.
To lead like Jesus is to serve, knowing that greatness in the kingdom of God is measured by our willingness to be last.
4. Empowered Rather Than Self-Sufficient
The world celebrates self-sufficiency and power. But self-sufficiency is a quiet, dangerous form of rebellion. It often looks competent, but Scripture consistently warns against trusting in our own strength.
In Revelation 3:17, Jesus rebukes the church in Laodicea for saying, “I have need of nothing,” when in reality they were spiritually bankrupt. Jeremiah 17:5 echoes this warning: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh.” Whether in our planning (James 4:13–16), our provision (Deuteronomy 8:17–18), or our purpose (John 15:5), self-reliance leads us away from God.
When God calls us into positions of leadership, he doesn’t leave us to figure it out alone. Moses felt inadequate, yet God promised, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). James 1:5 assures us that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God—who gives it generously. The strength we need doesn’t come from within ourselves, but from the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to lead with courage, clarity, and compassion.
As we seek to follow Christ’s example and lead others well, we can walk with confidence—not because we have all the answers, but because he who calls us is faithful.
5. Marked by the Fruit of the Spirit
Christian leadership looks different because we’re being transformed. If we walk by the Spirit, our leadership will be marked by the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When people follow us, they will experience a glimpse of Christ—not because we’re perfect, but because we’re walking closely with Jesus.
Ultimately, the most effective leaders are not those who strive to be impressive, but those who are deeply rooted in Christ. Jesus doesn’t call us to lead from our own strength, but from a place of surrender, service, and Spirit-empowered dependence. As we embrace our identity, walk in humility, serve others, and steward what’s been entrusted to us, our leadership becomes more than a role. It becomes a reflection of the One we follow.
So wherever God has placed you—whether in the home, the workplace, the locker room, or the boardroom—lead in such a way that others see Christ in you. That is leadership that lasts. That is leadership that matters.
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