Articles
The Dangerous Connection between the Novice and the Devil [video]
“Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6
There is Danger in Elevating a Novice. A novice, due to lack of maturity in Christ, is in jeopardy of falling into pride and to be ultimately Condemned Like Satan.
There are many gifted, well spoken young men going around preaching truths and untruths and capturing audiences. But does that mean God has sanctioned them to be overseers among His people?
Our gifts can take us further than our character can sustain us.
“I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” Luke 10:18
Lucifer, Satan, was ejected from Heaven for his pride (Ezekiel 28:13-15). Now take a look at why Jesus said this to His young disciples.
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20
- Jesus disciples returned from doing a ministry trip He had sent them on and Jesus saw the sin of pride in them (v17)
- He told them He witnessed Satan being kicked out of Heaven for the same sin of pride He now witnessed in them (v18)
- He restates that He gives His people His power to do His work and will protect them (v19)
- Then He tells His disciples to rejoice in that they are His, not in the power He gives them to do His work (v20)
We must keep ourselves pure from this pride offense toward God and also the offense of bidding Godspeed to men not yet fit to be representing Christ as His overseer, elder among His people.
We all need solid eldership in our lives. Paul says there’s regrettably not many fathers/godly elders among us.
“For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 4:15
In the Bible verse below, when the apostle speaks of laying hands on a man, he’s speaking of the laying on of hands in ordaining a man to ministry. Such is not to be taken lightly. To do so, one must assure and thoroughly test the fruit of that man’s life and doctrine.
“Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22
Notice how the apostles laid hands on the first deacons and also Paul and Barnabas. This was a setting forth of these qualified men into ministry.
“Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.” Acts 6:6
“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:3
Such a stamp of approval will lead to the apostasy of many, into their irrevocable separation from God.
So when the Bible instructs us to “Lay hands suddenly on no man”, it’s speaking of not ordained just anyone into ministry, lest you be guilty of the harm they do via their ministry position or serving.
Qualifications for Overseers
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Restoring those in sin is the duty of the members of Christ’s body and “shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20
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