When Moses received the Ten Commandments, it was a defining moment for the people of Israel. God had established the Law, making clear what He expected from His people.

But the Ten Commandments are much more than an ancient list of rules. They have application for every part of our lives, including our ministries. This edition of Make It Count (available in English and Spanish) takes a closer look at the Ten Commandments and considers principles for leadership. Lessons include the following:

1. Receiving God’s Goodness. God gave the Ten Commandments to protect and provide for His people. When we understand God’s nature, we discover a beautiful motivation for our leadership.

2. Defeating Idols. God commanded His people to have no other gods and no form of idols before Him. For leaders, idols often take the shape of success, budgets, affirmation, and even personal ministry philosophies. We must instead give our full allegiance to God alone.

3. Speaking Reverently. Leaders must be careful about how they represent God. Putting words in God’s mouth exposes irreverence, insecurities, and inabilities. Instead, we must revere the name of the Lord as we lead.

4. Keeping a Sustainable Pace. God made the Sabbath for our benefit. When we honor the principle of sabbath rest, we’re able to take a break from work, spend more time with God, and trust Him with the outcomes.

The Ten Commandments are much more than an ancient list of rules. They have application for every part of our lives, including our ministries.

5. Leading Respectfully. Leaders must not only honor their parents, but they must also demonstrate honor through every facet of their leadership. This means learning to honor up, down, and across, exhibiting the deepest respect for others.

6. Uprooting Anger. The Law prohibited murder, but Jesus raised the bar during His Sermon on the Mount. Jesus taught us to exercise self-control by protecting our hearts, guarding our reactions, and owning our anger issues.

7. Avoiding Impurity. Sexual misconduct in the Church devastates lives and ministries. To guard against impurity, we must invest in the health of our hearts, set clear boundaries, and establish accountability.

8. Stewarding With Integrity. A number of personal and organizational applications arise from God’s prohibition against stealing. Wise leaders are tithers — refusing to rob God — and good stewards. In addition, they establish the systems and accountability structures to sustain healthy ministry.

9. Maintaining Honesty. Lying in leadership may take the form of exaggerating metrics, portraying an inauthentic image, or misusing Scripture. God calls us to conduct ourselves with honesty.

10. Overcoming Covetousness. The Tenth Commandment tells us not to covet possessions or relationships — or anything else, for that matter. Ministry leaders must also be careful not to covet resources, success, roles, and recognition. Instead, we must learn to be content and celebrate others.

As you read and discuss each lesson, embrace the Ten Commandments to help you lead with a greater commitment to what is good, right, and pleasing to the Lord.

This article appears in the spring 2023 issue of Influence magazine.