This post may use affiliate links from Amazon and other retailers which earn us a commission for any purchases made through them. This is done at no extra cost to you and we thank you for the support. Learn more.
In a world where self-promotion and the pursuit of worldly success dominate, it’s easy to lose sight of true leadership that’s grounded in the timeless principles of the Bible. True biblical leadership discipline isn’t about bossing others around or climbing the corporate ladder; it’s about serving, sacrificing, and leading with love.
The Bible offers profound insights into leadership that transcend time and cultural boundaries. These principles equip us to become not just leaders in the eyes of the world, but godly leaders who make a real, lasting difference in the lives of others.
In this exploration of biblical leadership discipline, we’ll discover what it means to lead as Christ led.
The Core of Biblical Leadership Discipline
Discipline, that often-dreaded word, is actually the key to freedom and effectiveness in any endeavor, especially leadership.
Think about professional athletes (despite many of them using their fame for blasphemy) and the work they put in to win. It takes unwavering discipline to endure the grueling training, the early mornings, and the sacrifices, all for the chance to stand on the podium.
While not the same endeavor, the same principle applies to a spiritual leader. Whether that be a pastor or simply a man of the house.
As Paul told Timothy, “…Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). I don’t think this refers to some strict moral code. It speaks of training your entire being for a life of service to God.
This kind of biblical leadership discipline isn’t solely about self-denial, but also, intentional focus.
The English word “gymnasium” derives from the Greek gumnazo, and is translated as “discipline” in many of our translations.
It suggests a commitment akin to an athlete who pushes himself, sacrificing to reach a goal.
Engaging in spiritual training like this calls for us to center our efforts on inner transformation through God’s word, the Holy Spirit, and becoming more Christ-like.
Serving, Not Ruling
One of the most striking contrasts between biblical leadership and worldly leadership lies in its emphasis on serving rather than ruling.
Jesus, our ultimate model of leadership, taught this profoundly in Matthew 20:26-28.
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
In other words, I think anyone can easily see that true leaders in the kingdom of God don’t seek power for themselves but pour themselves out in service to others.
A biblical leader understands that true greatness lies not in wielding authority, but in laying down one’s life for the benefit of others.
A leader’s role becomes that of a shepherd, caring for his flock. He sees to their well-being, guides them, and protects them from harm.
Just as Christ willingly came not to be served, but to serve and give His life for humanity, those called to leadership should also emulate His selfless spirit.
Read More:
–11 Characteristics of a Godly Man: True Biblical Manhood
–The Essentials of Biblical Masculinity: Leadership
Leading With Integrity
I covered integrity in much more detail in one of my Characteristics of Biblical Manhood posts so you can read more on it here.
That being said, biblical leadership discipline demands absolute integrity.
In short, integrity means cohesive alignment between our words and actions. Particularly in the persona we put on for others and in our private actions.
It means choosing what’s right no matter what others think or if they’re looking or not, and refusing to compromise solid principles for any reason.
Another big one I like to add is it’s not enough to preach integrity; a godly leader has to embody it and reflect God’s unwavering character in every aspect of their lives.
The Bible has stark warnings for leaders who lack integrity, and whose lives don’t match their words.
In 1 Samuel 2, the high priest Eli failed to discipline his wicked sons. His sons exploited their position for personal gain and brought judgment upon themselves and their father.
This sobering story is a timeless reminder that integrity isn’t optional; it’s a cornerstone of biblical leadership.
Read More:
–The Essentials of Biblical Masculinity: Integrity
Discipline Through Self-Control
When thinking about biblical leadership, Paul’s words to the Corinthians are especially relevant: “…but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
I want you to see the kicker here, though – this wasn’t for vanity’s sake, but so he wouldn’t be disqualified from preaching.
It’s about conquering ourselves, our weaknesses, and our selfish impulses.
Imagine an athlete trying to compete without training and ignoring the rules.
It’d be chaos.
Self-control is essential to success in life and, also, in leadership.
Self-control helps a leader make difficult decisions, even when they’re unpopular.
This type of leadership guides a leader to stand strong against temptation and to avoid shortcuts that would compromise their integrity.
It strengthens them to persevere through adversity and keep their eyes fixed on God, their source of strength.
Read More:
–Bible Verses on Discipline for Unshakeable Self-Control
–The Essentials of Biblical Masculinity: Self-Discipline
–Christian Self-Discipline: A Practical Guide for the Man of Christ
The Discipline of Patience and Waiting
We all want things quickly in a world that is obsessed with instant gratification.
I know I am no exception to this.
A quick Google search, instant answers, information at your fingertips, quick meals, and I can go on and on. I’m sure you probably could too.
These days it seems like patience is a nearly lost virtue.
Many people, including myself, can attest that patience, or the discipline of waiting, can be among one of our biggest struggles.
Waiting for God’s timing is hard.
I’m constantly struggling to discern the right time to act or simply battling restlessness for what’s next.
But I have found that it’s precisely in those periods of quiet, of submission to God’s plan, that profound lessons are learned, character is built, and leaders are prepared.
Just as a farmer sows seed and patiently waits for the harvest, a leader, too, must cultivate patience in both his own personal growth and in guiding others to grow.
Consider Moses. He spent forty years in the wilderness, far removed from his leadership calling, tending sheep. Those were not years wasted; those were years of preparation for the extraordinary role he’d play in leading Israel out of slavery.
Waiting can feel frustrating, but it’s essential to biblical leadership.
Discipline in Prayer
When people think about discipline, prayer might not come to mind immediately, but in many ways, it’s the ultimate exercise of this quality.
Pastors and church leaders often speak about prayer being an area they desire to grow in. It’s a simple act that requires us to stop, to surrender, and to communicate with God.
But so often our prayers become rushed and just a task on the checklist for the day. So many of us barely take time to really talk with God.
But Jesus, despite a schedule far busier than most of us, always prioritized connecting with the Father in prayer. It was where He found strength and direction, and for any leader, a disciplined prayer life is a must.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7
Disciplining Our Physical Bodies
If you’ve followed Men of Strength for any amount of time you know that we focus a lot on building men up in physical discipline.
Biblical leadership discipline isn’t only about our spiritual lives; it also extends to caring for our physical bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
We are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us as Christ told us in the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. Our bodies are included in this stewardship.
While indulging our flesh may bring momentary pleasure, living disciplined lives helps us to better serve God.
This includes proper eating, exercising, and getting enough sleep. A well-disciplined leader will recognize the connection between physical well-being and spiritual effectiveness.
This might seem like basic stuff, but research actually backs it up.
You would expect a person with self-control to be more prone to exercise. A study published in 2019 showed something even more profound – it actually works both ways.
When people exercise regularly, it boosts their self-control in other areas of life as well.
I can personally attest to this in my own life. After building discipline through my fitness journey for the last 15+ years, I can honestly say that it has given me overall better self-control on a human level in all areas of my life.
Read More:
–Ultimate Strength and Conditioning Guide for Men In 2024
–Best Bible Verses About Discipline and Hard Work in 2024
Practical Steps Towards Biblical Leadership Discipline
While some of these ideas of godly leadership can seem too high to attain, here are some tangible things we can all work towards to cultivate more biblical discipline:
- Schedule time with God daily: Make time for prayer and Scripture reading, even if you can only start with 15 minutes. I find first thing early in the morning the best time.
- Choose Accountability: Find a fellow believer who can challenge you and support your growth, someone you trust to keep you honest in your journey. Learn more about our exclusive men’s community for this.
- Practice self-reflection: Ask for honest feedback about your leadership style, where you could grow in serving, and what you need to improve upon.
- Say ‘no’ more often: Learning to set healthy boundaries, even on things that seem good, helps maintain focus on God’s priorities for you.
- Get Moving: Find exercise you actually enjoy, even if it’s just walking for 30 minutes. It’ll not only boost your self-discipline but reduce stress and bring clarity. You can get some free training plans and more if you join my email list too. You’ll also get periodic insights sent to your inbox.
Coming To A Close on Biblical Leadership Discipline
Biblical leadership discipline goes far beyond acquiring worldly success or popularity.
It’s more about inner transformation and living a life aligned with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
It requires humility, perseverance, and a willingness to lay down one’s own ambitions for the sake of others.
The core values highlighted – service, integrity, self-control, patience, and a reliance on God – set apart leaders who don’t simply seek to influence but who profoundly change the world around them through their faithful service.
Want more on this journey? Join us by subscribing to my email list, following our socials, and joining the Men of Strength Collective.
