40 Bible Verses about Leaders, Spiritual

And no man taketh honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

And take thou unto thee, Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me: both Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes to stand and to minister in the name of the LORD: both him and his sons forever.

For every high priest that is taken from among men is ordained for men, in things pertaining to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins:

"And Aaron shall bear the names of the children Israel in the breastlap of example upon his heart, when he goeth into the holy place, for a remembrance before the LORD always. And thou shalt put in the breastlap of example Light and Perfectness: that they be even upon Aaron's heart when he goeth in before the LORD and Aaron shall bear the example of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD always.

And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest which shall ask counsel for him, after the manner of the light, before the LORD: And at the mouth of Eleazar shall both he and all the children of Israel with him, and all the congregation, go in and out."

For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity, that this man have somewhat also to offer.

For the priest's lips should be sure knowledge, that men may seek the law at his mouth, for he is a messenger of the LORD of Hosts.

and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the ordinances which the LORD hath commanded them by the hands of Moses."

"Thus sayeth the LORD God of hosts: Ask the priests concerning the law, and say, 'If one bear holy flesh in his coat lap, and with his lap do touch the bread, pottage, wine, oil or any other meat: shall it be holy also?'" The priests answered and said, "No." Then said Haggai, "Now if one being defiled with a dead carcass, touch any of these: shall it also be unclean?"

And when he made mention of the ark of God, Eli fell from off his stool backward toward the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was old and unwieldy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

Then said Samuel, "Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, that I may pray for you unto the LORD." And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted the same day, and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the causes of the children of Israel in Mizpeh. When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard that, they were afraid of the Philistines,read more.
and said to Samuel, "Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he may save us out of the hands of the Philistines." And Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it altogether for a burnt offering unto the LORD, and cried unto the LORD for Israel. And the LORD heard him.

And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, and therewith were made vessels for the house of the LORD: even vessels to minister withal and to serve for burnt offerings as ladies and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.

For the scripture came never by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy ghost.

After this I heard the voice of the LORD, taking advisement on this manner, "Whom shall I send, and who will be our messenger?" Then I said, "Here am I, send me." And so he said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Ye shall hear indeed, but ye shall not understand; ye shall plainly see, and not perceive.

"Before I fashioned thee in thy mother's womb, I did know thee: And before thou wast born, I sanctified thee and ordained thee, to be a Prophet unto the people."

And Samuel spake unto all Israel, saying, "If ye be come again unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods from among you, and Ashtaroth, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD and serve him alone; and so shall he rid you out of the hands of the Philistines." And then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

Then said Samuel unto the people, "Fear not. And though ye have done all this wickedness, yet depart not from the LORD in any case. But serve him with all your hearts. Neither turn ye after vain things which can not deliver you, for they are but vanities. But the LORD will not forsake his people, because of his great name's sake: because the LORD hath begun to make you his people.read more.
Moreover, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in leaving praying for you and to show you the good and right way. Only fear you the LORD and serve him truly with all your hearts: for he hath done great things for you.

And he said, "It is not I that trouble Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and hast followed Baal. But now send and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel; and the Prophets of Baal, four hundred and fifty; and the Prophets of the groves; four hundred, which eat of Jezebel's table. And Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the Prophets unto mount Carmel.read more.
And Elijah came unto all the people and said, "Why halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be very God, follow him: or if Baal be he, follow him." And the people answered him not one word.

Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: Consider your own ways in your hearts, get you up to the mountain, fetch wood, and build up the house: that it may be acceptable unto me, and that I may show mine honour, sayeth the LORD. Ye looked for much, and lo it is come to little: and though ye bring it home, yet do I blow it away. And why so, sayeth the LORD of Hosts? Even because that my house lieth so waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

And he gathered all the chief Priests and Scribes of the people, and asked of them where Christ should be born.

Then came to him the Pharisees with the Sadducees also, and did tempt him, desiring him to show them some sign from heaven.

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this power?"

saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat,

The chief priests, and the elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, for to put him to death,

But they go wrong by the reason of wine, they fall and stagger because of strong drink. Yea even the priests and prophets themselves go amiss, they are drunken with wine, and weak brained through strong drink. They fail in prophesying, and stumble in judgment.

"For the prophets and the priests themselves are polluted hypocrites, and their wickedness have I found in my house, sayeth the LORD.

And now, O ye priests, this commandment toucheth you. If ye will not hear it, nor regard it, to give the glory unto my name, sayeth the LORD of Hosts, I will send a curse upon you, and will curse your blessings. Yea, curse them will I if ye do not take heed.

Yea, and they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders: but they themselves will not heave at them with one of their fingers. All their works they do, for to be seen of men. They set abroad their phylacteries, and make large borders on their garments, and love to sit uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues,read more.
and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, 'Rabbi.' But ye shall not suffer yourselves to be called Rabbi, for one is your master, that is, to wit, Christ, and all ye are brethren. And call ye no man your father upon the earth, for there is but one, your father, and he is in heaven. Be not called masters, for there is but one, your master, and he is Christ. He that is greatest among you, shall be your servant. But whosoever exalteth himself, shall be brought low. And he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven before men: ye yourselves go not in, neither suffer ye them that come to enter in. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, for ye devour widows' houses: and that, under a colour of praying long prayers, wherefore ye shall receive greater damnation. Woe be unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which compass sea and land, to bring one into your belief: and when he is brought, ye make him twofold more the child of hell, than ye yourselves are.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said to them, "Ye know well that they which seem to bear rule among the gentiles, reign as Lords over them. And they that be great among them exercise authority over them. So shall it not be among you: but whosoever of you will be great among you, shall be your minister. And whosoever will be chief, shall be servant unto all.read more.
For even the son of man came, not to be ministered unto: but to minister, and to give his life for the redemption of many."

Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them and brought the price of the things that were sold, and laid it down at the apostles' feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said, "It is not meet that we should leave the word of God and serve at the tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, and full of the holy ghost and wisdom, which we may appoint to this needful business:

And when they had ordained them elders by election in every congregation, after they had prayed and fasted, they commended them to God on whom they believed.

For this cause left I thee in Crete: that thou shouldest perform that which was lacking and shouldest ordain elders in every city as I appointed thee.

This is a true saying: If a man covet the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. Yea, and a bishop must be faultless, the husband of one wife, sober, discreet, honestly appareled, harborous, apt to teach, not drunken, no fighter, not given to filthy lucre: but gentle, abhorring fighting, abhorring covetousness,read more.
and one that ruleth his own house honestly, having children under obedience, with all honesty. For if a man cannot rule his own house, how shall he care for the congregation of God? He may not be a young scholar, lest he swell and fall into the judgment of the evil speaker. He must also be well reported of among them which are without forth, lest he fall into rebuke, and into the snare of the evil speaker. Likewise must the deacons be honest, not double tongued, not given unto much drinking, neither unto filthy lucre: but having the mystery of the faith in pure conscience.

If any be faultless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, which are not slandered of riot, neither are disobedient. For a bishop must be faultless, as it becometh the minister of God; not stubborn, not angry, no drunkard, no fighter, not given to filthy lucre: but harborous, one that loveth goodness, sober minded, righteous, holy, temperate,read more.
and such as cleaveth unto the true word of doctrine, that he may be able to exhort with wholesome learning, and to improve them that say against it.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, whereof the holy ghost hath made you overseers: to rule the congregation of God, which he hath purchased with his blood.

Therefore awake and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one of you, both night and day with tears.

The elders that rule well are worthy of double honour, most specially they which labour in the word and in teaching. For the scripture saith, "Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn." And, "the laborer is worthy of his reward." Against an elder receive none accusation: but under two or three witnesses.read more.
Them that sin, rebuke openly that others may fear.

see that ye feed Christ's flock, which is among you, taking the oversight of them: not as though ye were compelled thereto, but willingly; Not for the desire of filthy lucre, but of a good mind. Not as though ye were lords over the parishes: but that ye be an example to the flock.