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100 Bible Verses about Bad Leadership

Proverbs 29:2 ESV / 652 helpful votes

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Jeremiah 23:1-4 ESV / 575 helpful votes

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.

Proverbs 29:12 ESV / 500 helpful votes

If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.

Proverbs 16:12 ESV / 468 helpful votes

It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

1 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV / 466 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 392 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Acts 20:28 ESV / 379 helpful votes

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 377 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Colossians 3:23-25 ESV / 355 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

Mark 10:42-45 ESV / 342 helpful votes

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But 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 slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Proverbs 16:18 ESV / 329 helpful votes

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Ezekiel 34:1-8 ESV / 327 helpful votes

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; ...

2 Timothy 2:24 ESV / 320 helpful votes

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,

Matthew 23:1-39 ESV / 269 helpful votes

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, ...

Psalm 101:5 ESV / 261 helpful votes

Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.

Luke 22:26 ESV / 256 helpful votes

But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 246 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

1 Timothy 3:1-2 ESV / 237 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 229 helpful votes

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Matthew 20:26 ESV / 228 helpful votes

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 215 helpful votes

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Galatians 6:9 ESV / 204 helpful votes

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

John 3:30 ESV / 192 helpful votes

He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Psalm 78:72 ESV / 190 helpful votes

With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.

Exodus 18:21 ESV / 190 helpful votes

Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Ezekiel 3:16-4:17 ESV / 187 helpful votes

And at the end of seven days, the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand. ...

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 183 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

James 3:1 ESV / 181 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 176 helpful votes

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Titus 1:7 ESV / 171 helpful votes

For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 161 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

John 10:11 ESV / 161 helpful votes

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Romans 13:1 ESV / 160 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Isaiah 3:12 ESV / 160 helpful votes

My people—infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your paths.

Proverbs 29:4 ESV / 160 helpful votes

By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 158 helpful votes

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Isaiah 1:23 ESV / 147 helpful votes

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them.

1 Peter 5:2 ESV / 145 helpful votes

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 145 helpful votes

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV / 141 helpful votes

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV / 141 helpful votes

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 134 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Proverbs 28:16 ESV / 134 helpful votes

A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

Luke 6:31 ESV / 132 helpful votes

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 132 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Proverbs 29:14 ESV / 130 helpful votes

If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 122 helpful votes

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Samuel 15:23 ESV / 122 helpful votes

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

Acts 5:29 ESV / 121 helpful votes

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 120 helpful votes

Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Matthew 5:37 ESV / 120 helpful votes

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

James 4:10 ESV / 110 helpful votes

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

James 1:12 ESV / 110 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 109 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Proverbs 22:29 ESV / 108 helpful votes

Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

1 Timothy 3:5 ESV / 107 helpful votes

For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?

1 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 100 helpful votes

Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

Romans 8:28 ESV / 99 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

John 13:13-17 ESV / 99 helpful votes

You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 98 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Acts 1:8 ESV / 91 helpful votes

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV / 90 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ...

1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV / 86 helpful votes

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Psalm 33:12 ESV / 86 helpful votes

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

Titus 1:5 ESV / 84 helpful votes

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 84 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

Matthew 20:25-28 ESV / 84 helpful votes

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 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.”

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 83 helpful votes

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Jeremiah 14:14-16 ESV / 82 helpful votes

And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not come upon this land’: By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword, with none to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their evil upon them.

1 Peter 5:1-14 ESV / 81 helpful votes

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ...

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 81 helpful votes

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Hosea 4:6 ESV / 80 helpful votes

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Titus 3:1 ESV / 79 helpful votes

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 77 helpful votes

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 77 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

Luke 1:37 ESV / 77 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Galatians 6:6 ESV / 76 helpful votes

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.

John 16:33 ESV / 74 helpful votes

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Ecclesiastes 10:17 ESV / 74 helpful votes

Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

Proverbs 16:9 ESV / 74 helpful votes

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV / 73 helpful votes

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

John 1:1-51 ESV / 73 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ...

Isaiah 56:10-12 ESV / 73 helpful votes

His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all. “Come,” they say, “let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure.”

Proverbs 28:15 ESV / 73 helpful votes

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

1 Samuel 8:1-22 ESV / 73 helpful votes

When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” ...

Romans 14:23 ESV / 72 helpful votes

But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Ezekiel 22:8 ESV / 72 helpful votes

You have despised my holy things and profaned my Sabbaths.

Mark 10:45 ESV / 71 helpful votes

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

2 Chronicles 36:11-14 ESV / 71 helpful votes

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the Lord. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord, the God of Israel. All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the Lord that he had made holy in Jerusalem.

Matthew 25:21 ESV / 70 helpful votes

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 ESV / 70 helpful votes

“At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.

Isaiah 3:4 ESV / 67 helpful votes

And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV / 66 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...

Isaiah 1:4 ESV / 66 helpful votes

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 65 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

John 13:12-15 ESV / 64 helpful votes

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Job 41:34 ESV / 64 helpful votes

He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride.”

Luke 22:25-28 ESV / 58 helpful votes

And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,

Galatians 5:19-26 ESV / 55 helpful votes

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. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ...

1 Timothy 3:1 ESV / 54 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

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