“Let no one despise your youth (look down on your youthfulness), but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV)
• Paul’s admonition to Timothy:
- Let no one despise your youth.
- Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
• A leader should live a life that others can emulate, follow; particularly those who are under his leadership (1 Peter 5:3).
• A leader should have good self-esteem, see themselves as God has seen them—inferiority complex and superiority complex are detested by God (Philippians 2:3).
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT TO THINK, BUT TO THINK SOBERLY, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith.”
Romans 12:3 (NKJV)
• In addition, a leader must give attention:
- To reading of the Scriptures—to his congregations. His message must be biblically based.
- To exhortation—keep encouraging believers, particularly those who are under his leadership.
- To doctrine—teaching his people the sound doctrine of the Bible (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Peter 1:12,13).
• Also, a leader should not neglect the gift that God has given him or her (1 Timothy 4:14).
- You should know your gift and the anointing God has placed on your life.
- Some do not value what God has given them; they covet another person’s gift.
- No gift is less important, every gift given by God is important and needed for the building of the body of Christ (Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:11-13).
- The purpose of every gift given by God is to bless other people—to build the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7).
• A leader should also take heed to himself, concentrate on his personal development (1 Timothy 4:16).
- A leader must not be so busy that they neglects their own personal spiritual development. Your spiritual health as a leader is important to the progress of the work committed to your hands.
- You should take heed to the doctrine—the teaching (1 Timothy 4:16)
- You should continue in the instructions—persevere in them, hold on to them.
- By staying true to what is right, you will save both yourself and those who are under your leadership (Acts 20:28; Colossians 4:17).
“Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”
1 Timothy 4:16 (Amp.)
• Leadership is a grave responsibility; therefore you must not be trivial with the work committed to your hands (Acts 20:28).
“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
Acts 20:8 (NKJV)
• If you are not sound spiritually as a leader, you will have nothing to give the people under your leadership; thus a need to pay attention to your spiritual health.
- “Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.
- But avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness.”
2 Timothy 2:15,16 (Amp.)
“And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfil it.”
Colossians 4:17 (NKJV)
• You will not fail in Jesus name.
Peace!