SATURDAY March 29, 2025

Have a Novice’s Best Interest at Heart

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

Paul explained to Timothy not to be too hasty in placing a novice––a person who is a new convert in the faith––to be in a position of leadership. The word for novice in the Greek language means “newly planted.” This is a good analogy, because again, a believer needs to grow and mature. His inexperience makes him unprepared to take the office.

There is another important reason not to elevate a novice too quickly into the ministry. When the Lord begins to use his life, there is a temptation to be lifted up with pride. A good leader will not destroy a young believer by placing him in a position of responsibility too early. It is important to have his best interest at heart. Although you see potential spiritual gifting, and talents, have wisdom and wait. It is important to teach a novice the ministry principles of servanthood. Give him time to develop, and you will guard his heart from pride.

Pride is a sin that caused Satan’s downfall:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit” (Isaiah 14:12-15).

God hates pride. Proverbs 16:5 tells us: Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD.... And Proverbs 16:18 adds: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. What is the best way to resist pride? Humility.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time....
~1 Peter 5:5-6~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!