Leadership isn’t reserved for people with titles or corner offices. You’re leading whether you realize it or not. Someone’s watching how you handle pressure, listening to what you say when things go wrong, and deciding whether your character matches your words. The question isn’t whether you have influence but what you’re doing with it.
Most leadership advice focuses on strategy, charisma, or climbing hierarchies. It teaches you how to get people to follow you, how to build your personal brand, and how to position yourself for the next level. But that approach treats leadership as something you acquire for yourself rather than something you steward for others. It creates leaders who are great at accumulating power but terrible at using it well.
Biblical leadership flips the entire script. The greatest among you will be the servant of all. The first will be last. If you want to lead, learn to wash feet. This isn’t religious talk meant to make you feel humble while secretly pursuing the same power plays as everyone else. It’s a fundamentally different operating system that produces leaders people actually want to follow because they know you’re for them, not just using them.
Bible Verses About Leadership and Influence
1. Matthew 20:26-28 – Whoever Wants to Be Great Must Be a Servant
It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
English Standard Version (ESV)
2. Proverbs 29:2 – When the Righteous Are in Authority
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
New King James Version (NKJV)
3. 1 Timothy 3:1-2 – If Anyone Aspires to Be an Overseer
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.
New International Version (NIV)
4. Proverbs 11:14 – Where There Is No Guidance, a People Falls
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
English Standard Version (ESV)
5. 1 Peter 5:2-3 – Shepherd God’s Flock
Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Exodus 18:21 – Select Capable Men
But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
New International Version (NIV)
7. Proverbs 16:32 – Better to Be Patient Than Powerful
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Luke 22:26 – Let the Greatest Among You Become as the Youngest
But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
9. Titus 1:7-9 – An Overseer Must Be Blameless
Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught.
New International Version (NIV)
10. Proverbs 27:23 – Know the Condition of Your Flocks
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.
New King James Version (NKJV)
11. Hebrews 13:17 – Obey Your Leaders
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
New International Version (NIV)
12. Joshua 1:9 – Be Strong and Courageous
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
New International Version (NIV)
13. 1 Corinthians 11:1 – Follow My Example
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
New King James Version (NKJV)
14. Proverbs 22:29 – Do You See Someone Skilled in Their Work?
Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
15. 1 Timothy 4:12 – Set an Example for the Believers
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
New International Version (NIV)
16. Proverbs 16:18 – Pride Goes Before Destruction
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
King James Version (KJV)
17. James 3:1 – Not Many Should Become Teachers
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
New International Version (NIV)
18. Nehemiah 2:17-18 – Come, Let Us Rebuild
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.
New International Version (NIV)
19. Proverbs 15:22 – Plans Fail Without Counsel
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
20. 2 Timothy 2:2 – Entrust to Faithful People
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
New International Version (NIV)
21. Micah 6:8 – What Does the Lord Require?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
New International Version (NIV)
22. Romans 12:8 – If It Is to Lead, Do It Diligently
If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
New International Version (NIV)
23. Proverbs 20:7 – A Righteous Man Walks in Integrity
The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.
New King James Version (NKJV)
24. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 – Respect Those Who Work Hard Among You
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
New International Version (NIV)
25. Proverbs 4:23 – Guard Your Heart
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
English Standard Version (ESV)
26. Acts 20:28 – Keep Watch Over Yourselves
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
New International Version (NIV)
27. Colossians 3:23-24 – Work as for the Lord
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
New International Version (NIV)
28. Proverbs 12:24 – Diligent Hands Will Rule
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
29. Mark 10:45 – The Son of Man Came to Serve
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
New International Version (NIV)
30. 1 Timothy 5:17 – Elders Who Direct Well Are Worthy
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
New International Version (NIV)
31. Proverbs 31:8-9 – Speak Up for Those Who Cannot Speak
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
New International Version (NIV)
32. Philippians 2:3-4 – Consider Others More Important
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
New International Version (NIV)
33. Daniel 6:3 – An Excellent Spirit
Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
New King James Version (NKJV)
34. 1 Peter 4:10 – Use Your Gifts to Serve Others
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
New International Version (NIV)
35. Proverbs 29:18 – Where There Is No Vision
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
King James Version (KJV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Leadership and Influence
Biblical leadership starts with character, not capability. You can be brilliant at strategy and terrible at integrity, skilled at communication but lacking in compassion. The Bible consistently prioritizes who you are over what you can do because competence without character eventually destroys whatever you build. Joseph’s integrity in Potiphar’s house prepared him for Pharaoh’s palace. Daniel’s faithfulness in small things positioned him for influence with kings.
Servant leadership sounds like a nice ideal until you realize it actually costs something. It means prioritizing other people’s growth over your own advancement, taking responsibility for failures while deflecting credit for success, and sometimes making unpopular decisions because they’re right even when they hurt your reputation. Jesus modeled this perfectly, washing feet hours before going to the cross.
The Bible also dismantles the myth of the solo leader. Moses needed Aaron and Hur. David had his mighty men. Paul traveled with teams. Proverbs repeatedly emphasizes the value of many counselors. If you’re trying to lead alone, you’re violating the biblical model and setting yourself up for exhaustion, isolation, and eventually failure. True influence multiplies by raising other leaders rather than hoarding power.
Say This Prayer
God, leadership feels heavier than I expected. The responsibility of influencing others, the weight of decisions that affect more than just myself, and the awareness that people are watching how I respond when things get difficult. I need Your wisdom because mine runs out quickly.
Teach me to lead like Jesus, who had all authority yet chose to serve. Help me to resist the temptation to use people for my own advancement and instead to genuinely invest in their growth. When my ego wants recognition and my insecurity demands control, remind me that true greatness looks like a towel and a basin.
Give me the courage to make hard calls when needed and the humility to admit when I’m wrong. Surround me with wise counselors who will tell me the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. Protect me from the isolation that comes with leadership and keep my heart soft toward the people I’m called to serve.
Help me to steward influence well, knowing I’ll give an account for how I used it. May my leadership point people to You rather than to myself.
In Jesus’ servant name, Amen.