Leadership comes with responsibility, and the Bible highlights both good and bad examples. Today, we’ll learn what Scripture teaches about avoiding poor leadership.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Bad Husbands
What Does The Bible Say About Bad Leadership
Proverbs 29:2
“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
This verse reveals the impact of bad leadership on a society. When leaders are wicked and corrupt, it leads to suffering and discontent among the people. Conversely, righteous leaders bring joy and prosperity to their communities.
Isaiah 3:12
“Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.”
This verse highlights how bad leadership can lead to chaos and confusion. When those in authority are not trustworthy, they can misguide and lead people astray, causing them to deviate from the right path.
Jeremiah 5:31
“The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?”
Here, God laments the prevalence of false prophets and self-serving leaders. The people have embraced this kind of leadership, but God warns them of the consequences they will face in the end.
Isaiah 9:16
“Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray.”
This verse emphasizes the dangerous influence of leaders who mislead their followers. The misguided leaders lead their people astray, causing them to stumble and lose their way.
Ezekiel 34:2
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?'”
God denounces selfish leadership in this verse. Leaders are called to care for and protect their people, but when they only look out for their own interests, they bring harm and neglect to the flock they are supposed to shepherd.
Isaiah 56:10-11
“Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain.”
This passage describes leaders who are ignorant and apathetic towards their responsibilities. They are driven by selfish desires and pursue their own gain instead of leading with wisdom and understanding.
Ezekiel 22:27
“Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.”
This verse portrays leaders who abuse their power and exploit those under their authority. They disregard human life and engage in unjust practices for personal gain.
Matthew 23:4
“They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.”
In this verse, Jesus criticizes leaders who burden others with oppressive rules and demands but are unwilling to help bear the weight of these burdens themselves. They show a lack of compassion and hypocrisy in their leadership.
Jeremiah 23:1
“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.”
God expresses His condemnation for leaders who harm and scatter His people instead of protecting and guiding them. He holds them accountable for their actions.
Proverbs 28:2
“When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.”
This verse illustrates how a lack of wise and discerning leadership can result in chaos and instability. A good leader with knowledge and discernment brings order and stability to a nation.
Titus 1:10-11
“For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.”
Here, the apostle Paul addresses the issue of false teachers who spread falsehoods and disrupt the unity of the church for their own selfish gain. Such leaders must be silenced to protect the integrity of the community.
Proverbs 29:12
“If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.”
This verse highlights the corrupting effect of leaders who embrace deception. When a ruler allows lies to penetrate, it ultimately leads to the perversion of their entire administration.
2 Timothy 3:2-5
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
In this passage, Paul describes the characteristic traits of some leaders who have a distorted sense of morality and prioritize their own desires over godly values. Believers are encouraged to distance themselves from such individuals.
Isaiah 10:1-2
“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.”
This verse condemns leaders who enact unjust laws and oppressive policies that exploit the vulnerable. God expresses His concern for the marginalized and expects leaders to ensure justice and protection for all.
Matthew 20:25-26
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.'”
Jesus contrasts the leadership style of the world with the servant leadership that He teaches. True greatness in leadership is found in serving others rather than exerting dominance and control.
1 Peter 5:2-3
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Peter instructs leaders to shepherd God’s people with willingness, sincerity, and selflessness. Leaders should exemplify servant-hearted leadership, faithfully guiding and caring for those under their charge.
Proverbs 16:12
“Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.”
This verse highlights the importance of leaders detesting and rejecting wrongdoing. Righteousness is the foundation for a stable and righteous leadership.
Proverbs 14:28
“A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of leaders valuing and caring for their people. Without the support and loyalty of the subjects, leaders are destined for failure.
Psalm 72:12-14
“For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.”
This passage portrays the ideal characteristics of a just and compassionate leader. They bring deliverance and relief to the needy, protect the weak from harm, and value every life as precious.
Proverbs 11:14
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of leaders seeking wise counsel and surrounding themselves with advisers. A leader’s ability to lead effectively and achieve success is enhanced through the input of many counselors.
Proverbs 25:5
“Remove the wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.”
This verse highlights the need to remove corrupt officials from positions of influence. Only through righteous leadership can a king’s throne be secure and just.
Proverbs 20:28
“Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.”
This verse illustrates that love and faithfulness are vital for a king’s safety and the stability of their reign. A leader whose heart is filled with love and faithfulness towards their people creates an environment of security and trust.
Proverbs 25:4
“Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel.”
This verse uses the imagery of refining silver to illustrate the need for leaders to remove impurities and corruption from their administration. Only then can they fulfill their purpose and bring forth positive change.
1 Timothy 3:2-3
“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
These verses provide a list of qualities that should characterize leaders within the church. They should exhibit moral integrity, self-control, and a heart for others, rather than being driven by greed or strife.
Proverbs 28:16
“A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, but one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.”
This verse emphasizes that leaders who oppress and exploit others show a lack of understanding. On the contrary, leaders who reject unjust gain and value justice will experience longevity and success.
Proverbs 21:1
“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”
This verse reminds us that ultimately, God is in control of leaders and their decisions. He can influence and direct their hearts, guiding them according to His divine purposes.