One key function of leadership is to exercise moral authority. This defines the trustworthiness of the leader to make decisions and choose directions that are right and good. In our culture, moral authority is most often derived from religion or politics. A person pursues what is right and good, either because they are grounded in faith, or their belief in the fairness of their system of governance.
You can lead without moral authority, but this brings into question your motive as a leader. Better to be one who leads others out of a sense of duty to do good, and to make determinations that are for the good of all. But moral authority in our culture is murky at best. Where does it come from, and how do morals make one a more effective leader?
Based on truths. To have moral authority, a leader must exercise their sovereignty based on principles that are independent of bias and opinion. The principles upon which he bases his leadership must be fundamentally right and good. The writers of the Declaration of Independence sought to define a fundamental goodness when explaining why independence from Great Britain was necessary. They wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Declaration of Independence made an inexorable connection between moral good and faith in God, saying in essence that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were rights granted by God, and that these principles were self-evident. To be good is to be morally right, or righteous in intent and execution. If we believe we were created by God, and that God created all that we know and see, then God must also be the source of all ethics, morality, philosophy and religion. Thus, belief and trust in God also means belief and trust that He alone defines what is right and good and morally sound. Is it possible, though, that something or someone is truly good outside of God?
Moral politics? Some good may come from a political system—certainly the writers of the Declaration of Independence sought to do a difficult but good things for the right reasons. But this is seldom the case. Not every political system is good, nor is every politician good. One could argue historically until today that most political systems and politicians are bad. Moral leadership cannot be trusted to emanate from government and its politicians. Ninteenth century politician Lord Acton famously said, “Power tends to corrupt.” Indeed, the greatest instances of immorality ever recorded are the result of politicians exercising authority. Jarret Wollstein of the Mises Institute writes, “Whenever one thinks of the worst injustices in history—massive wastes, confiscatory taxes, purposeless wars, great depressions, slavery, concentration camps, and genocide—one inevitably finds that such injustices were either a direct or an indirect result of governmental action.”[1] But we essentially as a society know that morality doesn’t stem from government. A recent survey found that the perceived morality of politicians ranked nearly equal with that of porn actors.[2] Ranking even worse were lobbyists and advertisers.
Religion and moral leadership. What of the morality of religious leaders? Surely they operate in a role of moral leadership within society. Sadly, widespread sex and financial scandals in religious denominations over recent centuries have eroded trust in these men as well, with just one-fifth of the country rating religious leaders as “very moral”. Doctors, therapists, teachers and scientists all garnered greater moral standing in the eyes of the nation than men of the cloth. A recent study by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), determined that in 2023, approximately $62 billion, or 6.6% of all funds given by Christians globally, was lost to fraud and embezzlement.[3]
Clearly just because a man teaches and advocates for faith does not mean he is necessarily full of faith himself, and may act as a moral authority. Libertarian and radio host Neal Boortz said, “Religion is all-too-often a refuge for scoundrels.” Religion can be doubly-immoral, because an evil or unscrupulous leader may demand a religious response to his fraudulent or sinful actions—certainly those faithful who uncover his immorality must forgive him.
A moral individual. Consider that moral leadership will not be found in an institution. Governments, churches, hospitals, schools, laboratories, armies—all may have elements of morality, but ultimately are flawed. If God Himself is the author of creation and therefore the definer of what is moral and good and right, then we first look to God as our moral standard and foundation. But who, then, among us might lead morally?
The answer is found in Scripture. In the Old Testament, God established a people, and gave instructions to them as an institution. Many of God’s moral instructions were directed at the Children of Israel. Just as is true today, as a group they were disobedient, selfish and immoral. But in the New Testament, Jesus offers Himself to the individual. He told His disciples, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33). It is not the institution, but rather the individual leader, who seeks the character of God for his own life and work, and in doing this, may act with moral authority. The Bible is filled with examples of moral leadership: individuals acting in obedience to God.
Evidence of moral leadership. A moral leader will exhibit evidence of his character. Galatians 5 paints contrasting images of immoral and moral leadership. Moral authority comes from those with Christ-like character. The writer teaches, “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21). How can you spot a leader with the character to exercise moral authority? His life and work will demonstrate traits of Christ: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law’ (Galatians 5:22-23).
Only One moral source. There’s a familiar saying in Christian circles: “God is good, all the time.” On reflection we can say only God is good, all the time. Because God defines good, and is good, those leaders who follow closely to God seek to obey His commands will draw on His goodness for their actions and decisions. It’s possible to be a good leader—that is, a leader for good—only in the context of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. If you want to stand with moral authority, look to and follow the One Source in all areas of life and leadership.
Godly leadership is sorely needed in our current culture. Godly leaders aren’t those who are arrogant and desire to exercise power. Rather they possess sober judgment and a measure of faith.