From the Heart

The foundation of great leadership lies in our character. Why? Because we are made in the image of God. From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden, God intended for humanity to reflect His nature. God planned for us to rule over the earth in harmony with one another and His Spirit. There was no sin, no brokenness, and no insecurity in this original design. 

However, sin distorted our nature. It led us away from God’s intention for us to rule over the earth but not to “lord it over” one another. This distortion continues to show itself today as we sometimes try to dominate others rather than work together in harmony.

This skewed sense of identity and purpose often leads to unhealthy leadership, especially when leaders operate from a place of insecurity or a fractured heart. As the Bible reminds us in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Without constant empowerment from the Spirit, we inevitably will find ourselves falling into the default patterns of our sinful nature. 

Leadership flows from the heart. If our hearts are broken, insecure, or angry, these traits will inevitably manifest in our actions. Just as DNA is passed from parent to child, the internal condition of a leader will be reproduced in those he or she leads. For this reason, while it is essential to focus on outward leadership skills as well, what matters most is the state of our heart and the motivations behind our leadership.

God repeatedly emphasizes the importance of the heart in the Scriptures. The world typically measures success based on external metrics – profit, influence, or popularity. God’s standards are different. He looks at integrity, the fruits of our lives, and the condition of our hearts. As the Lord told Samuel about one of Jesse’s sons in 1 Samuel 16:7, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

This contrast between worldly metrics and divine standards is evident in the lives of Saul and David. Saul had an impressive appearance and stature. But he ultimately failed because his heart was not aligned with God’s. By contrast, David was a man after God’s own heart. While he also had moral failures, they were always followed by true repentance.

In many ways, integrity is the cornerstone of great leadership. Without integrity, it is impossible to lead successfully. Integrity means doing the right thing when no one is watching, acting out of a sincere and whole heart. Psalm 78:72 praises David for shepherding the people of Israel “with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” This verse beautifully captures the balance between skill and character. While skill is important, it is integrity that truly defines leadership.

Developing and maintaining integrity as a leader requires constant self-examination. We must ask ourselves difficult questions: Why do I lead? Is it to feel good about myself, or is it to help others succeed? The world often promotes a “dog-eat-dog” mentality, where climbing the corporate or ministry ladder becomes the primary focus. But this approach to leadership is not in alignment with God’s heart. God desires leaders who delight in Him, who value people as His treasures, and who lead others with the same care and love that He shows.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 reminds us of the importance of this internal work of constantly checking our heart motivations: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind.” God searches our hearts, and it is through this examination that he brings transformation.

Ezekiel 36:26 gives us hope in this process. God promises to replace our stony hearts with tender, responsive hearts. He promises to put his Spirit within us. This heart transformation is the key to becoming the leaders God calls us to be. We become leaders who reflect His love, compassion, and integrity. When our hearts are aligned with God’s, everything else flows naturally from that place. Leadership that flows from a transformed heart is leadership that honors God and brings lasting impact to others.