Someone once said that a leader is a person who makes people and situations better. Godly leaders make people and situations better for the health of the church body. You may recall leaders who have crossed your path in life and the impact they have made. Did they make things better, or does the path where they crossed look like a tornado of chaos hit it? How about you? What is the condition of the path you have left? Is it a peaceful path or chaotic?
Depending on the season, our life paths may be busy or at least have a steady flow. However, seasons of upheaval happen, and our paths may look chaotic at times. Has a lack of confidence or understanding of the characteristics of a godly leader hindered you? The good news is that Jesus has walked the perfect path, and by following Him, you can grow into the godly leader He has called you to be by implementing character qualities found in His word and through His life. As you become a godly leader, you will live a life that draws others to God’s vision for an abundant life.
Who Is a Godly Leader?
“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
You may read this quote from 1 Corinthians 11:1 and pull back, not thinking you are up for the task like the Apostle Paul. However, Paul spent time with Jesus through prayer and meditating on Scripture, allowing the Holy Spirit to search his heart and reveal what needed to be realigned with God’s Word. We truly can follow Paul as an example of a godly leader, as well as many others throughout the Scriptures!
We may not have the same calling as Paul, but we are all called to go and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them (Matthew 28:19-20). And even if you are not formally discipling someone, regardless of your age, position, or season in life, someone is looking toward you and seeing the example of your life. We need to be responsible for how we lead, because we are all called to be godly leaders.
As followers of Christ, our leadership should reflect Jesus and be different from this world’s standards and systems. We can learn from other sources, but we should always filter them through what God’s Word says. For example, godly leadership is servant-minded, humble, and focuses on God's will.
Jesus would quote or allude to the book of Proverbs, and He Himself is Wisdom. Like Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels, the Book of Proverbs gives us knowledge and understanding of how to live wisely by practicing the principles presented in these writings in our everyday lives.
6 Character Qualities of a Godly Leader
As followers of Christ, our leadership should reflect Jesus and be different from this world’s standards and systems. We can learn from other sources, but we should always filter them through what God’s Word says. Godly leadership is servant-minded, humble, and focuses on God's will. Here are six biblical principles on leadership that the Bible gives us to help us understand how to live wisely.
- Listening
Jesus listened with His ears and with discernment when He was with people. But most importantly, He listened to His Father and knew His words. Godly leaders listen to instructions, are obedient, and are willing to yield their own way.
- “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.”—Proverbs 18:13
- “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”—Proverbs 29:1
Reflect: Do you listen?
- Speaking
Jesus spoke when He needed to teach, rebuke, or show kindness. His words were powerful yet compassionate, and He knew when He needed to be silent.
- “…to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”—Titus 3:2
- “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.”—Proverbs 29:11
- “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”—Psalms 141:3
Reflect: Do you watch your words?
- Seeking peace
Jesus sought peace by keeping a servant's heart. He was slow to pass judgment and resolved disputes by being just and faithful to God’s word.
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”—Matthew 5:9
- “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”—Psalm 34:14
Reflect: Do you quarrel when you should make peace?
- Integrity
Jesus resisted temptation and remained steadfast in persecution. He did not seek revenge, but reconciliation with all men.
- “The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.”—Proverbs 11:3
- “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.”—Proverbs 28:6
Reflect: Do you crave influence over integrity?
- Vision
Because Jesus spent time with the Father, He knew His calling. Jesus stuck with the plan and did not falter or seek His own way.
- “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.”—Proverbs 29:18
Reflect: Do you live with vision?
- Community
Although periods of solitude to seek the Lord are needed, we are created for community. Jesus even sent His Spirit to us when we first believed so that He could always be with us! Jesus modeled this by having a close inner circle, followed by a larger community of believers. We also need those few with whom we can be vulnerable and larger circles of friends and acquaintances.
- “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”—Proverbs 11:14
- “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”—Hebrews 10:24-25
Reflect: Do you have a biblical community?
5 Practices to Become a Godly Leader Others Can Follow
What do you crave in leadership? Are you seeking to improve people and situations, or are you seeking your status and fame? When godly leaders seek the Lord in solitude and meditate on His words, He examines their hearts to reveal their true motives and desires. Here are some practices to cultivate the character needed to become a godly leader:
Cultivate a Teachable Spirit
A godly leader asks others for honest feedback and does not take offense. Instead, they see the opportunity to grow and align with God’s priorities. Godly leaders seek mentors or coaches who can teach and challenge them in ways that get them out of their comfort zones and help them see their blind spots.
Steward Your Words Carefully
Job once asked his friend, “What spirit comes from you?” Words can be life-giving or a blow to one's soul. James 3:17 teaches that “…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.” Godly leaders practice discernment with their words, speaking in ways that edify and build others up.
Pursue Peacemaking
Peace is the fruit of the Spirit, which is given to believers, but ultimately, Jesus is our source of peace. Godly leaders discern how to bring about peace in difficult situations. They strive to practice inner peace and bring about peaceful solutions.
Prioritize Character Over Influence
A godly leader submits to the Lord’s sanctification in their lives. Through this process, Jesus builds character that reflects His Spirit and bears good fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is evident in a godly leader as it brings joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Jesus is never concerned or impressed with one's position or possessions—He looks into the hearts of leaders.
Seek God's Vision in Scripture
A godly leader sees the world through the lens of Scripture and seeks God’s vision and not their own. One way of determining if one is living their vision or God’s is by looking at how often one is personally offended. When people view the world from their point of view, they are self-seeking. However, their perspective changes when they step off the throne of their own lives and allow the rightful owner, Jesus, to reign. Godly leaders seek to see life through Jesus’ perspective and follow His vision, which results in the good of others, not just themselves.
Why Godly Leadership Matters
When we examine worldly leadership, we can better understand why godly leadership matters. Leadership without God is full of selfishness, as people prioritize their self-interests and have constantly changing values and visions. These leaders can be authoritarian and lack the qualities and practices of godly leaders, causing harm to communities.
Godly leaders first seek to reflect Jesus’s character and bring honor to God. As they do this, they create a positive and supportive environment that uplifts people and improves the lives of others. They have a Kingdom impact because they will create a path of calm rather than chaos and confusion.
Take Away
A godly leader is someone who remains humble and teachable. When godly leaders seek the Lord and begin allowing Him to build their character to reflect Jesus, they will see changes in themselves and the people they lead. Their responses will show discernment and bring about good for others and various situations.
Most importantly, a godly leader is someone who lives with a vision that aligns with Scripture. As we practice godly leadership and apply biblical principles to our lives, relationships will change, and people and situations will improve.
What is your next step in becoming a godly leader? Identify where you can practice your next step, whether in your home, school, or community, by listening to Pastor Jon’s message from Proverbs 29.