He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
Summary: Paul’s warning about conceit and judgment applies as much to all believers as it does to overseers.
Of the five categories in an overseer’s job description, Spiritual Maturity is perhaps the most important.
Temperament, how a man treats his family, his social standing, and his teaching skill are all good indicators of aptitude. However, when it comes to being responsible for other people, staying true to the truth about Jesus, Spiritual Maturity stands alone.
Paul describes the danger of being a recent convert this way:
“… he may be come conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.”
Let’s try to deconstruct Paul’s reasoning.
Paul is suggesting that recent converts are especially vulnerable in a way that someone mature in their faith is not.
The issue is not only that a person is a recent convert. What is at issue is the combination of being new to the faith and being given leadership responsibility.
This is where things get complicated.
When people come to believe in God, something very strange happens. It is like stepping out of a black-and-white photograph into a full-color high-definition video. The problem is that until we pass from this life, we never fully leave the black-and-white photograph behind.
In the world of black-and-white, being a “leader” translates into being “important.” From the world’s perspective, being “important” means having power over other people. When a person feels important and empowered over others, they often forget their own shortcomings (Matthew 7:3-5). The result is that a person becomes conceited.
In the world of faith in God, everything is different. You might say it is a world of “living color.” People of faith, who have come to know God well, also know themselves well in a way that the world can never see. When we come to know God, we come into the presence of perfection. It is both a terrifying and, at the same time, a wonderful experience.
It is terrifying because the true believer realizes how flawed they are in the presence of perfection. It is wonderful because being in God’s presence, personified by the Lord Jesus Christ, is to be wrapped up in the love of God.
With maturity in faith comes true humility, an awareness of our own shortcomings. This humility inoculates us from conceit. It can take time to step from the black-and-white perspective of the world into the Light and color of God’s presence. If the recent convert takes his eyes off of Jesus, even for a moment, there is danger of falling into the pride and judgment of the devil.
Application: Keep your eyes on Jesus, the mirror of your soul.
Food for Thought: How does one know when they are ready for a responsibility like being an overseer?
How does one know when they are ready for a responsibility like being an overseer?
I think the answer to that question is when one can step forward in faith to the call of service with joy and gratitude knowing that they have been equipped by the Holy Spirit. One can step forward in faith to the call of service knowing that, although they themselves are not independently capable, the One who calls them will meet them in the unknown to accomplish His work through them. One can step forward in faith to the call of service trusting in the relationship that they have with Christ, so that they are willing, and not under compulsion. That the work that has been given to them is to build up the Body of Christ, to allow God to meet the needs of others through them, and that all is to the Glory of God.
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 5:2-3
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Ephesians 4:12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
I also think that these things I have written are more than someone going down a “checklist” of acknowledgement. That one can look at their life in humility, in the light of the transformation that Christ has and is enacting in their life, and see that the truth has transformed their mind and heart, and is evident in their daily life and decisions.
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Thank you, Chris!
You mentioned “the call of service.” This might be an important part of the answer, too.
How does one know when they are ready for a responsibility like being an overseer?
God-assurance will provide the strength not found in self-assurance. We are called to “bloom where we are planted”, while God provides the light. He has determined our path before the creation of this world, and is the power for each to be the part of the body of Christ He desires us to be.
Proverbs 16:9, In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
Philippians 4:19, And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
It is not uncommon for a person to be more focused on possible advancement than they are on doing their very best in their assigned position, while those over them are evaluating performance as the indicator of the inner person, and will determine their future. Our creator God knows every detail of our being and is shaping each of us according to His plan.
Matthew 6:33, But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Romans 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
John 3:34, For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure.
Thank you, Ron!
I can appreciate your point about people not focusing on the work at hand while they are busy thinking about the future. (Been there, done that! 🙂 )