The Office of Pastor (part 3)

I Timothy 3:1-7

I can remember as a teen getting angry. There were times when I was expressing that anger through arguing and yelling, and I knew I was wrong. I knew I was wrong, but I could not find a way to stop. I kept standing my ground even though it was eroding beneath me. I did not have the self-control to stop. Teenagers can blame this on hormones, but as adults we cannot use that same excuse. Yes, we have hormones, but they are, for the most part, more regulated than those of teens. Yet, we find ourselves doing the same things. As Christians, and especially for those of us who are pastors, we must possess self-control over our minds and bodies. We must be in control, and not let other things control us.

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“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

I Timothy 3:1-7

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In verse 3 there are three things Paul tells Timothy that he should not let control him. These things are alcohol, anger, and greed. I have seen pastors’ ministries ruined because of alcohol. I have seen pastors in the news for acts of violence. God-called pastors cannot stand those "pastors" who use their pulpit as a means to prostitute Christianity for the sake of filling their bank accounts. These people often make the news because they are dishonest with the gospel and how they get their money, then they are dishonest with the government and how they pay their taxes. That being said, we all run the risk of these same temptations. We must remember what Paul told the Corinthians, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (I Corinthians 10:12-13).

Paul contrasts these three negative behaviors with three Godly behaviors. Instead of being drunk, we are to be gentle and moderate. Instead of being violent, we are to not be quarrelsome. Rather than being greedy of money, we are to not be covetous. This means that we have to fight our human nature. We have to act contrary to what the world says is acceptable. After a stressful day, the world says that we should go out and have a drink to relax. Christians, and especially pastors, do not need something to help them relax that clouds their minds and could harm their witness. Rather, we should take our anxiety and stress to God. We are not to fight with others, but "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). We must remember that this world is not our home, and we should not be trying to store up worldly treasures. This does not mean that we cannot have anything, but it should not be our reason for working and existing.

Our personal character matters — how we conduct ourselves in public and in private matters, especially in today's world. There is nothing that is secret. As we have seen time and time again, there is always a camera watching. A moment of weakness can go viral in a matter of hours. However, far more important than the world might be watching, is the reality that God is watching. He sees us. He called us. He expects us to be "conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29).

Father, it is not too much for us to be conformed to the image of Your Son. However, there is the ever present temptation to let ourselves be seen. Those things that alure us away from You are ever-present. Those temptations and lusts that cause us to want to be self-serving, rather than serving You, are constantly before us. Lead us in the paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake.