Wisdom in Discerning Leaders

 1 Timothy 1-4 

“He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

1 Timothy 3:6, 7

Leadership in the Church is the target of spiritual warfare and our enemy is not people! The devil is real and active in the world today. His traps for Church leaders are often focused on pride, lust, or greed, (power, sex, and money). Paul’s warning to Timothy included the vulnerability that recent converts had and continue to have, in all three areas, but in particular, pride. Until we find our identity and value in God’s love for us, we are vulnerable in finding our identity in vocational ministry. This identity trap feeds pride when we take (and need) credit for what God does. Paul’s warning wisely calls us to develop disciples and allow the Church to call on leaders from tested, mature, and humble disciples. While this is challenging to follow in fast growing emerging church planting contexts, it’s worth the price to go slowly and as a result complete the task more quickly.

“Lord Jesus, I humble myself before you and trust your Word for wisdom, for your glory.”