Godly leadership is sorely needed in our current culture. From Bible times until today, God has put people in leadership roles in order to accomplish His purposes. Romans 12:3-7 addresses our various roles in God’s family on earth, including leaders: “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” The characteristics of humility, function and purpose, servanthood and individual gifts and talents are addressed. Godly leaders aren’t those who are arrogant and desire to exercise power. Rather they possess sober judgment and a measure of faith.
Many leaders today aren’t Christ-followers, and so their leadership might be helpful or positive, but not God-driven. But even Christian many leaders fail to practice godly leadership, leaving their faith at the door to their office and separating what they believe in their heart from what they practice at their desk. Scripture shows this to be poor stewardship of work and position. In a general sense we can lead without the impact of faith or morality, making decisions in our own interest or our organization’s interest, but missing out on the key facets of why God would allow us to lead. A godly leader is one who is driven by biblical mandate, using biblical methods and living by biblical character. Consider three truths you will see as evidence of a godly leader:
Godly leaders are people-centered. Leadership is foremost about how we influence people in a meaningful way. A leader may prioritize controlling costs, a successful deal, or a strong quarterly statement. A godly leader will always consider how he is leading people toward faith, and encouraging them to grow in faith and as a person. There is no higher calling in leadership than to genuinely care for people. Jesus Himself reminds us in Matthew 20:28, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” A godly leader sees his role as not to be in charge but to serve others.
How to be people-centered:
Spend time daily investing in relationships, at work, home and in the community.
Pray regularly for people in your sphere of influence.
Consider work projects and processes as means to meet new people.
Ensure your personal and professional goals include people as a primary component.
Godly leaders are wisdom-focused. Wisdom is knowledge and experience that can be shared for the benefit of others. We all need wisdom because it helps us make better decisions, manage relationships, handle money, face adversity, find direction and so much more. Godly wisdom is to see situations, circumstances, problems and opportunities through a biblical lens. A godly leader wants to share insights that will help people lead better lives by doing things that God desires and avoiding things that He does not.
Ephesians 5:15-17 reminds us, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” A godly leader is wisely walking through his own life and leading those in his sphere of influence to follow.
How to be wisdom-focused:
Share your experiences, good and bad, with those around you, so that they may repeat your successes and avoid your failures.
Look at challenges and adversity as opportunities to learn and grow, both in faith and wisdom.
Think carefully about decisions—don’t make them haphazardly, but take your time and consider on which path God may be directing you.
Develop a listening ear, ready to take in knowledge and experience from those in your sphere who know things that you don’t and have been places that you haven’t.
Godly leaders are Spirit-led. A Christ-follower is filled with the Holy Spirit. When l leader is following the Spirit of God, they will exhibit behaviors that are representative of Jesus. The Apostle Paul details that “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT). By saying these are the fruit of the Spirit, Paul is reminding us that these are not characteristics that we can simply summon with enough willpower. Rather it will require the Spirit of God to see these elements as a regular facet of our lives.
Notice too that the fruit is plural—a faith-centered leader won’t exhibit just one of these traits, but all of them, in some way. A godly leader’s relationships will flourish when they are loving, joyful, peaceful, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. These traits flow from a person who is putting others first and desiring their best, personally, professionally and spiritually.
How to be Spirit-led:
Focus daily on your own character being a reflection of the character of Christ. What actions and attitudes can you improve on?
Pray regularly for the Spirit of God to influence your interactions with coworkers, family, friends, clients. Ask God to reveal ways others can see Christ in you.
Read Galatians 5:22-23. Pray about characteristics on this list that you can grow more fully in your own life and work.
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