July 2 – Leading by Example

1 Peter 5:3

“Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

SITREP:

What kind of leader do you follow into a fight? The one who barks orders from safety—or the one who’s up front, doing exactly what he expects from you? You already know the answer. And in this verse, Peter reminds every soldier of faith that true leadership isn’t about domination—it’s about demonstration. God doesn’t promote you so you can control people. He places others in your care so you can guide them—by example, not ego.

Peter knew what it meant to lead and to fail. He’d seen leadership done right—watching Jesus wash feet instead of demanding respect. And he’d seen it done wrong—remember, this is the same Peter who once cut a man’s ear off trying to protect Jesus, only to be corrected and humbled. So when Peter speaks to leaders, he speaks from hard-won experience. The early church was forming under pressure—scattered, persecuted, raw—and leadership had to be anchored in character, not control.

Breaking Down the Verse:

“Not lording it over…”
– This is a warning against the temptation to lead with a heavy hand. In God’s ranks, authority isn’t about dominance—it’s about responsibility.

“Those entrusted to you…”
– You’ve been given a charge, not a possession. Those under your leadership are not there to boost your status—they’re there because God trusts you to care for them well.

“But being examples to the flock.”
– People watch more than they listen. Your tone, your discipline, your faith under fire—that’s what they’ll follow. Your actions are your orders.

How This Applies to a Soldier’s Faith:

You know leadership isn’t about yelling the loudest or pulling rank. It’s about consistency. Calm. Courage. Being the one others look to when everything else is falling apart.

·         If you’ve led others in uniform, you know they won’t remember your speeches—they’ll remember your choices.

·         If you’ve walked through hell with others, you know the ones who carried you weren’t always the ones in charge.

Spiritually, the same holds true:

·         You might be the only Bible someone reads.

·         Your discipline, your integrity, your mercy under stress—that’s your spiritual chain of command in action.

·         Leadership in faith doesn’t mean being the loudest voice in the room. It means being the steady one when others are ready to quit.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about walking the walk—especially when the pressure is on.

ENDEX:

True leadership isn’t measured by how many follow orders—it’s measured by how many follow your example. 1 Peter 5:3 reminds you that leading like Christ means stepping out front with humility, consistency, and courage. You don’t need to be the loudest—just the most faithful. Lead the kind of life others would follow not just into the fight—but into faith.

AAR:

What kind of leader are you when no one’s watching? 1 Peter 5:3 lays down a challenge that cuts through rank and title—it calls you to lead by example, not demand. In the military, some leaders bark orders from the rear; others walk point. Scripture is clear which one honors God. You don’t lead by flexing authority—you lead by showing your people how to endure, how to repent, how to stay the course. Your challenge: Think about someone who’s watching how you live—your family, your unit, maybe a younger believer. What are you modeling? This week, lead like someone whose faith is visible even when words are few.

Don’t Just Command—Carry the Standard

Real leadership doesn’t strut—it serves. In combat, the most respected leaders aren’t the loudest—they’re the ones who share the burden, take the risk, and never ask others to do what they won’t do themselves. Spiritually, it’s the same. God honors those who lead by living the mission, not just reciting it. When you carry the standard in your actions, not just your orders, others will follow—not out of fear, but out of trust. You’re not just a voice—you’re a visual of what obedience under pressure looks like. Lead that way, and heaven takes notice.

Make your voice count—share what you’ve lived.

Share your experiences in the comments below. Your words could encourage someone else walking a similar path.

If you're comfortable, include as much or as little personal detail as you’d like. We suggest:

• Name
• Veteran, Retired, Family Member etc.
• Service Branch
• Years of Service (or Deployment Dates and Locations)

Every story matters—and yours might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.