SUNDAY March 30, 2025
Do You Have a Good Testimony?
Moreover he [a bishop] must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:7
For the bishop, lastly, Paul told Timothy that these assigned leaders must have a good testimony, not only in the church, but outside of the church. This becomes an important qualification for any leader. This means he is to have an excellent testimony where he lives, shops and works.
Notice the warning––lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Satan will not only attempt to cause a leader to fall by being lifted up with pride, but he would also ensnare him through his bad testimony. His aim is to see a person disqualified so that he can no longer serve in that leadership capacity. It could be as easy as a leader’s lack of self-control, losing his temper, or not being a man of his word.
Think about your own life for a moment. What kinds of things are people saying about you outside of the church? What is your testimony like in your neighborhood? What do people see about you when you are in the supermarket? Are you patient and polite or irritable and impatient? To have a good testimony in your community for Jesus Christ is very important.
As we have studied a leaders qualifications for serving in the church, I ask you to pray to see how God would minister to you personally. Perhaps you are thinking of getting involved in church in some capacity. Before you do, go over these qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and ask God to develop any weak areas in your character, to anoint you, and to lead you into that place of leadership where He intends to use your life.
In humility, submit to God and surrender your life fully to Him. Then, when you step into a leadership role, God will be working in and through your life. Satan will try his best to disqualify you, so know that you will be entering into spiritual warfare. Resist him and ask the Holy Spirit to help you live a blameless life.
The fact is, we are leaky vessels, and we have to keep right under the fountain all the time to keep full of Christ, and so have fresh supply.
~D. L Moody~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
