1Tim 3:6 Qualifications for an Overseer Part 4

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Qualifications for an Overseer Part 4

1Tim 3:6  "not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil."

By "novice" he is not speaking of someone's age, but rather of their level of maturity as a Christian - a maturity which is a function of one's ministry experience. "Overseers" were also referred to as "elders" for good reason. Regardless of the enthusiasm of those recently converted or such believers who are otherwise inexperienced or immature, they are not qualified to manage the Christian community. Rather they should focus on laboring and learning in submission to the direction of their overseer.

Those who have not learned under submission, but are too soon elevated to positions of authority, these almost inevitably fall into pride. Their leadership becomes one of lording it over the flock. And not having learned to listen in submission, they are not open to being corrected. So also, the young are characteristically more gullible than the experienced, nor have they thought through all the important questions in life in light of the Word of God.

So if offered positions of church leadership, Christians inexperienced in ministry are wise to turn them down.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

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