50 Bible Verses about Controlling Others

The theme of control, particularly the moral and spiritual implications of seeking control over others, is a topic richly explored in the Bible. This collection of verses offers a Biblical perspective on the nature of control, the importance of free will, and the guidance to use influence responsibly and compassionately.

In the wisdom of Matthew 20:25-26, Jesus addresses this directly, “Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.'” This teaching encourages leadership through service rather than control, emphasizing humility over authority.

The scriptures caution against the dangers of exerting undue control over others, instead advocating for respect of individual autonomy and the value of servant leadership.

In Ephesians 6:9, this principle is further articulated: “And masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.” This verse reminds those in authority to be mindful and fair, recognizing that ultimate authority belongs to God.

These verses guide us in understanding the delicate balance between leadership and control, urging us to lead with love, respect, and the understanding that each person is accountable to God.

In 2 Corinthians 1:24, Paul expresses this sentiment, “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.” This collection seeks to illuminate the Biblical stance on the use of power and control, encouraging us to guide and influence others in a way that honors their autonomy and aligns with God’s righteous principles.

50 Bible Verses about Controlling Others

The Misuse of Power and Control

1. “Do not lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.” – 1 Peter 5:3
2. “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees.” – Isaiah 10:1
3. “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that.” – Luke 22:25-26
4. “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” – Leviticus 19:15
5. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” – Matthew 6:24
6. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you.” – Matthew 20:25-26
7. “The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.’” – 1 Samuel 8:7
8. “The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.” – Proverbs 11:1
9. “Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.” – Proverbs 19:1
10. “Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.” – Proverbs 20:10

Leadership and Humility

1. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” – Matthew 20:26
2. “Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.” – Luke 22:26
3. “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” – Mark 10:43
4. “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12
5. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
6. “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” – James 4:6
7. “The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” – Luke 22:26
8. “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” – Matthew 20:16
9. “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” – 1 Peter 5:5
10. “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.” – Matthew 23:10

Respecting the Freedom of Others

1. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
2. “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” – Galatians 5:13
3. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1
4. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
5. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” – Luke 4:18
6. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10
7. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” – James 2:8
8. “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” – 1 John 3:17
9. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17
10. “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.” – 1 Peter 2:16

Justice and Fairness

1. “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17
2. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
3. “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.” – Proverbs 31:8
4. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” – Proverbs 3:27
5. “Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.” – Psalm 106:3
6. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” – James 2:8
7. “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” – Amos 5:24
8. “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.” – Exodus 23:6
9. “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” – Psalm 82:3
10. “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:9

The Dangers of Manipulation

1. “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” – Proverbs 14:12
2. “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13
3. “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3
4. “Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.” – Micah 2:1
5. “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become ‘fools’ so that you may become wise.” – 1 Corinthians 3:18
6. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
7. “Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out that no one deceives you.’” – Mark 13:5
8. “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” – Matthew 7:16
9. “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13
10. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:11

Conclusion

These Bible verses offer a comprehensive view on the themes of power, control, leadership, freedom, justice, and the dangers of manipulation. They emphasize the importance of leading with humility, respecting others’ freedom, practicing justice and fairness, and being wary of manipulative behaviors. These scriptures encourage us to reflect on our own actions and attitudes towards controlling others, guiding us towards a path of righteousness, compassion, and integrity in our interactions with others.