Published: 2023

Integrity and Self-Discipline are the most essential ingredients for good Christian Leadership. Any leadership that lacks these two key elements, cannot last for too long; as the repercussions (i.e. of the lack of them) are usually very unpleasant. 

Integrity on it own is an excellent quality of a leader, but may not go too far without Self-Discipline. Likewise, Self-Discipline is an admirable character of any leader but without Integrity, the fragrance of it is lost.

We will first define what leadership is and then we will discuss what Integrity and Self-Discipline are, and how these are very crucial ingredients of leadership. 

What is Leadership?

Leadership is the office or position of a leader. It is the capacity or ability to lead others. It is the ability to obtain followers. It is the act or instance of leading.

From the above definition we can see that leadership is a huge position of responsibility. Christian Leaders are entrusted with the lives of others, and are people who will eventually give an account to God for how they led the people that God entrusted to their care. A Christian leader is a servant with the credibility and capability to influence people in a particular context to pursue their God-given direction.

What is Integrity?

Integrity can be defined as: steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code or the quality or condition of being whole or undivided, i.e. completeness. 

Integrity: The most important ingredient of leadership.

Integrity can also mean Trustworthy, Reliable and Blameless. Integrity is the backbone of effective Christian leadership. A good leader must possess integrity; nobody wants to follow a person who cannot be trusted to do what they promise. Psalm 26 helps us stay focused on living a wholesome life of unshakable integrity and honesty, a life built on a firm foundation of faithfully following God. 

Here is Psalm 26:

1    Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
2    Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3    For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4    I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5    I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6    I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
7    That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8    LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour     dwelleth.
9    Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10    In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11    But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12    My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

Here are some reasons why integrity is necessary for the Christian leader:

Continuity – The leadership style or methods of the leader can be carried on by up coming followers in the future. Without integrity a leader can be cut off and another take his place (E.g. King Saul was replaced by David).

Consistency – A good leader does not suddenly begin to teach or preach another gospel apart from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, but consistently, (as long as he/she lives) preaches the total gospel.

Trust – The leader must be trusted and known to keep his word, also others should be able to vouch for him at any time.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God – Pastor E. A. Adeboye is a good example of a man who possesses integrity. His message has remained a message of holiness, humility, simplicity and of service towards God, so that one does not miss heaven. It is sad to see how many leaders in this day and age that are swayed about by any latest trend in town. They do not possess integrity and therefore are easily carried away by anything new. A leader must have a vision that is line with the will of God for his church, steadfast adherence to that vision is the meaning of integrity. Daniel was a man of integrity, even though he was captured by the Babylonians along with other Israelites, he made up his mind to live his life like a true Jew; both in his diet and in his prayer life:

Daniel 1:8 

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel 6:10

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Without integrity, leadership loses its savor, and becomes a mockery to everything our Lord Jesus Christ came to teach us. It discourages the followers, and sows bad seeds in the Church. Every leader must therefore, build up the character of Integrity to remain successful in as a leader.

What is Self-Discipline?

Self-Discipline is the training and control of oneself and one’s conduct, usually for personal improvement. It is the trait of practicing self discipline (i.e. self-denial). It is the act of denying oneself and controlling one’s impulses (i.e. self-control).

Self-Discipline: The price tag of leadership.

Self-Discipline is a quality of Christian leadership that cannot be ignored. Without it, leaders would be unruly; doing what pleases them at anytime. Our God is a God of order and requires that we as Christians conduct our lives in an orderly manner; how much more leaders. The quest to achieve and maintain God’s order in our lives and in the Church brings about self-discipline.

Self-Discipline is not an easy virtue to acquire, it requires, determination, focus, hard work, consistency, patience and such like; but most of all it requires the Grace of God.

Here are some areas where a Christian leader must be self-disciplined:

In their personal Life – A leader must first have control over his own life before he can lead the people of God. He/She must have good habits (e.g. wake up early, keep self and surroundings neat etc), he/she must eat right, exercise and get enough rest. He/She must have scripturally based moral standards that he/she adheres to.

In their spiritual life – A leader must have a regular time for prayer, fasting, studying of the Word of God, worship, meditation and solitude in God’s presence. The things help to refresh and strengthen the leader.

In their attitude to God’s work – A leader must have good work ethics especially in carrying out God’s work. He must get to work early, and regularly, and lead by example; this in turn encourages the followers to do the same.

In decision making and judgment – A leader must not be biased in making decisions or passing judgment, but must in all honesty, humility and with respect to God’s word carry out these functions appropriately.

There are several scriptures that encourage a leader to live a life of self-discipline, here are some of them:

Proverbs 5:22-23 (New International Version)*

22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. 

23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. 

Proverbs 23:23 (New International Version)*

Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. 

2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version)*

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self­discipline. 

Titus 1:7-8 (New International Version)*

7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless–not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.

8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self­controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 

Moreover, here is a scripture that shows us that our Lord Jesus Christ himself lived a life of self-discipline, to the extent that it hurt He is our perfect example:

Hebrews 12:1-2

1   Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2   Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Philippians 2:5-11 also portrays the same attitude of self-discipline in our Lord and Savior Jesus.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 summarizes the issue of self-discipline saying:

24    Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run,      that ye may obtain.
25    And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26   I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27    But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The issue of Integrity and Self-Discipline cannot be overlooked in this Christian race, how much more in leadership. Therefore, every Christian leader everywhere must work on him/herself to attain these qualities. The Bible says that we must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), so the responsibility is ours to possess integrity and self-discipline. The Bible also says, that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:13), so a Christian leader needs to make up his/her mind to walk in Integrity and live a life of Self-discipline, in turn their followers will have a good example to follow and the Name of God will be glorified in His Church and in the whole world.

Subscribe Now!
Get fresh posts delivered straight to your email.

RELATED ENTRIES