What Does the Bible Say About Setting Bad Example?

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Philippians 3:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

1 Corinthians 4:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

2 Thessalonians 3:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Hebrews 12:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Philippians 4:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

John 15:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

3 John 1:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, ...

1 Peter 2:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

James 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

James 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 3:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Titus 1:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

1 Timothy 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,

2 Thessalonians 3:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,

Philippians 3:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Philippians 3:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Philippians 2:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 5:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

2 Corinthians 12:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

John 15:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ...

John 14:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 14:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

John 13:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 6:40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Luke 3:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 22:37-39 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Jonah 4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.

Jonah 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

Proverbs 29:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

Proverbs 23:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Proverbs 10:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 103:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

1 Samuel 1:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. ...

Genesis 19:1-38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant's house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” ...

Genesis 18:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

59 Bible Verses about Setting Bad Example

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 3:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 4:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 3:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 1:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

3 John 1:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 1:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 3:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 3:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 3:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 2:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 12:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 13:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 3:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 22:37-39 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jonah 4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jonah 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 103:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 1:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 19:1-38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 18:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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